PALO ALTO DUI LAWYER - CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
MICHAEL REHM - (408) 489-2007
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Known as the birthplace of Silicon Valley and the home of Stanford University, Palo Alto is the home of many of California's best and brightest residents. Catering to the city's high-tech employees and diverse population, Palo Alto offers a wide range of dining opportunities.
A great meal accompanied by California wines or craft beers is a perfect way to unwind. Bringing a designated driver or using a rideshare app is a perfect way to get home after consuming more than a couple of drinks. Drivers who break that rule might find their perfect evening shattered when they are stopped by a Palo Alto police officer for driving under the influence (DUI).
Palo Alto CA DUI Arrests
In the most recent year reported by the Office of Traffic Safety, 98 drivers were arrested for DUI in Palo Alto. Compared to 106 California cities of similar size, Palo Alto had the 38th highest arrest rate after adjusting for population and miles driven.
Drivers who are arrested for DUI go through a booking process. Men who are arrested for DUI in Palo Alto will usually be taken to the Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex for booking. That jail is located at 150 W. Hedding Street in San Jose.
Women might be taken to the Elmwood Correctional Complex in Milpitas, just a few miles north of San Jose. Most people who are arrested for DUI are released within a few hours of their arrest, usually without being required to post cash bail.
Palo Alto DUI Prosecutions
After making a DUI arrest in Palo Alto, police officers forward the arrest report to the Santa Clara District Attorney's office. A prosecutor then decides what charges to file. Most drivers are charged with misdemeanors. However, about 5.7% of drivers are charged with a felony, usually because they have multiple DUI convictions on their driving record.
Arrested drivers are given a notice of their first court appearance. That appearance is before a court official of the Santa Clara County Superior Court. When a DUI arrest is made in Palo Alto, court appearances are usually made at the Palo Alto Courthouse, located at 270 Grant Avenue.
Drivers will generally be able to have their attorneys appear for them, but it is dependent on the facts of the case.
Palo Alto DUI Convictions
About three-quarters of all drivers who are charged with a DUI in Santa Clara County are convicted of that charge. The remaining quarter of charged drivers are typically represented by an experienced DUI defense lawyer.
Almost 10% of DUI charges in Santa Clara County are reduced to a “wet” reckless. That plea bargain saves drivers from the worst consequences of a DUI conviction. Another 2.5% of charges are reduced to a “dry” reckless or some other traffic charge.
More than 12% of drivers who are charged with a DUI in Santa Clara County are not convicted of any crime. In those cases, a DUI defense lawyer has usually obtained a dismissal, and acquittal, or a negotiated resolution that avoids a criminal conviction.
Summary:
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence in Palo Alto, call Attorney Michael Rehm to schedule a free consultation at (408) 489-2007. Learn how to strategically proceed from this point to get the best results on your case.
MICHAEL REHM - (408) 489-2007 - FREE CONSULTATIONS
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