CAPITOLA DUI LAWYER - CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
MICHAEL REHM - (831) 431-0986
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Capitola was Monterey Bay's first beach destination. The village continues to thrive as a resort and vacation community, attracting tourists to its brightly colored seaside shops and its bay front promenade.
After a day of fishing, swimming, boating, or shopping, tourists join residents at Capitola's seafood grills and oceanfront bars. Many visitors decide to get an early start on liquid refreshments with a breakfast Bloody Mary at The Sand Bar & Grill.
For those who end the day with an arrest, the scenery is not so pleasant.
Capitola DUI Arrests
In the most recent (pre-pandemic) year reported by the Office of Traffic Safety, law enforcement officers arrested 43 drivers for DUI within the municipal boundaries of Capitola. The OTS determined that Capitola had the 52nd highest arrest rate of 94 comparable California municipalities after adjusting for population and miles driven.
Drivers arrested for DUI in Capitola are taken to the Santa Cruz Main Jail for booking. That jail is located at 259 Water Street in Santa Cruz. Depending on the circumstances and current county policies, drivers may be required to post cash bail or released with instructions to report to court on an assigned date. Drivers who are not released after booking should call a lawyer immediately, or arrange for a family member or friend to do so.
Capitola DUI Charges
After a DUI arrest in Capitola, charges are filed by the Santa Cruz District Attorney's office. Misdemeanors are charged in most cases, although felonies may be charged when a driver has multiple prior DUI convictions or caused a serious injury accident. Almost 5% of DUI arrests in Santa Cruz County are charged as felonies.
Charges are filed in the Santa Cruz County Superior Court. The Santa Cruz Courthouse is located at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz.
Before appearing in court, drivers should develop a strategy for defending against the charges. Hiring Capitola DUI lawyer Michael Rehm quickly will give time to investigate the facts before the driver's first court appearance. Hiring Attorney Rehm within ten days of the arrest allows the driver to file a hearing request with DMV that will delay, and create the opportunity to avoid, an automatic driver's license suspension.
Capitola DUI Outcomes
Some California counties have higher DUI conviction rates than others. The conviction rate in Santa Cruz County is significantly below the statewide average. Only 65% of drivers who are charged with DUI in Santa Cruz County end up with a DUI conviction.
Convictions are avoided when lawyers make a persuasive case to a prosecutor, judge, or jury for an outcome that favors the driver. In some cases, plea bargaining leads to a reduced charge. About 10.4% of DUI charges in Santa Cruz County are amended to charge of “wet reckless,” a form of reckless driving that carries lesser penalties than a DUI. Another 2.3% are reduced to some other charge.
Drivers avoid a conviction of any crime in 22.4% of Santa Cruz County DUI cases. To find out if your case will fall into that category, contact Attorney Michael Rehm at (831) 431-0986.