OCEANSIDE DUI ATTORNEY – MICHAEL REHM
FREE CONSULTATIONS – (619) 787-3456
As home to some of California's widest beaches, Oceanside is known for its surf culture. After a long day of surfing and beach volleyball, a visit to Beach House Winery or one of a dozen other bars with an ocean view is almost mandatory. One drink too many, however, might lead to an unfortunate encounter with an Oceanside traffic patrol officer.
In the most recent year analyzed by the Office of Traffic Safety, 319 arrests were made in Oceanside for driving under the influence (DUI). Compared to 58 California cities of similar size, after adjusting for population, Oceanside had the 29th highest DUI arrest rate.
Oceanside DUI Prosecutions
A DUI arrest in Oceanside will be prosecuted in San Diego County Superior Court. San Diego County prosecutors handle nearly 10,000 DUI charges every year. They charge misdemeanors in 95% of the cases. A felony can only be charged if the arrested driver caused a serious injury or if the driver had three or more DUI convictions within the last ten years.
Roughly 5% of DUI charges in San Diego County are for driving under the influence of drugs. Since there is no “legal limit” for drugs, those cases are not as easy for prosecutors to prove as a DUI that involves alcohol. Even when the DUI arrest was based on an “over the limit” breath test, however, a number of potential defenses can thwart a conviction.
Prosecutors in San Diego County are successful in achieving a DUI conviction in about 77% of the cases they charge. In San Diego County, more than 10% of DUI charges are reduced to a charge of “wet reckless.” That conviction does not trigger an automatic license suspension, as does a DUI conviction. It also exposes drivers to less jail time and a lower fine than a DUI conviction. A wet reckless can also potentially help commercial drivers maintain CDL privileges.
More than 10% of San Diego County DUI charges are resolved with no conviction. Those cases are either dismissed or end with “not guilty” verdicts. Lawyers can force a dismissal when the police make illegal traffic stops or arrests.
Whether to pursue a plea bargain, a dismissal, or a trial depends on the facts of the case. Oceanside DUI Attorney Michael Rehm provides free, confidential consultations on all drunk driving matters. Consultations are available by phone at (619) 787-3456.
OCEANSIDE DUI LAWYER – MICHAEL REHM
FREE CONSULTATIONS – (619) 787-3456
Oceanside DUI Resources: