VALLEJO DUI ATTORNEY - CRIMINAL LAWYER
MICHAEL REHM - (707) 225-0731
FREE CONSULTATIONS
The roller coasters at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom attract multitudes of visitors to Vallejo. A naval museum and the Benicia State Recreation Area provide sedate alternatives for visitors who are not searching for thrill rides.
A driver's life might seem like a roller coaster after being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Vallejo. In the most recent annual statistics compiled by the Office of Traffic Safety, 99 drivers were arrested for DUI in Vallejo. The OTS ranked Vallejo as having the 5th highest DUI arrest rate among 58 comparable California cities, after adjusting for population and miles driven.
Vallejo DUI Arrests
A driver who is arrested for DUI in Vallejo will probably be released without being required to post bail. Before that happens, the driver will need to go through the booking process.
Booking for an arrest in Vallejo usually occurs at the Solano County Justice Center Detention Facility located at 500 Union Avenue in Fairfield. Before being released, drivers are advised that they will need to appear in court to respond to the formal criminal charges.
Vallejo DUI Charges
Charges are determined by the Solano County District Attorney's office. In a typical case, a driver will be charged with two misdemeanors: one for DUI and one for driving with a blood alcohol level of a 0.08% or more.
Drivers can be charged with felonies if they cause injuries while driving under the influence. A driver with a sufficient number of prior DUI convictions might also be charged with a felony. Only 3.2% of DUI arrests in Solano County are charged as felonies.
Vallejo DUI Prosecutions
The prosecutor will file charges with the Superior Court for Solano County. Charges involving a DUI arrest in Vallejo will probably be heard by one of the judges assigned to the Solano Justice Center, also known as the Vallejo Courthouse. That courthouse is located at 321 Tuolumne Street in Vallejo.
A DUI attorney who handles charges that follow arrests in Vallejo can help drivers navigate the Solano County legal system. Since a hearing before the DMV must be requested within ten days to delay or avoid an automatic license suspension, it is helpful to contact an attorney within 24 hours after an arrest. Vallejo CA DUI Attorney Michael Rehm can represent drivers in court and in DMV proceedings.
Vallejo DUI Outcomes
Too many drivers plead guilty to a DUI because they believe that a conviction is inevitable. Statistics show that fewer than 62% of DUI charges result in a DUI conviction in Solano County.
More than 15% of DUI cases in Solano County are plea bargained to a lesser offense. A form of reckless driving — usually “wet reckless” — is the most common plea bargain, but a third of the reduced charges involve an even less serious offense.
The good news is that almost 23% of DUI charges in Solano County end without a criminal conviction. Various strategies, including motions to dismiss the charges or to suppress the evidence, can lead to a favorable outcome. When the facts create a reasonable doubt, a jury may return to “not guilty” verdict. The best opportunity for avoiding a conviction is to seek advice from a lawyer who is familiar with the current law relating to driving under the influence cases. Call Attorney Michael Rehm to learn about these recent developments in the law and see how they can benefit your case. Free consultations at (707) 225-0731.