WALNUT CREEK DUI LAWYER - DANVILLE CRIMINAL ATTORNEY
MICHAEL REHM - (925) 289-5564
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Walnut Creek offers a variety of entertainment opportunities to visitors and residents. The Lesher Center and the Bedford Gallery appeal to fans of the arts, while the Lindsay Wildlife Experience and Shadelands Ranch Museum attract fans of nature.
Walnut Creek's vibrant downtown offers an eclectic assortment of restaurants and bars. Many are located in historic buildings that enhance the pleasure of drinking and dining. Individuals who drink too much should find a designated driver, because a DUI arrest can ruin a fun night out on the town.
Arrests for DUI in Walnut Creek
The Office of Traffic Safety analyzes DUI arrest statistics furnished by California's DMV. The last annual analysis occurred prior to the pandemic. In that year, 102 drivers were arrested for DUI in Walnut Creek. After adjusting for population and miles driven, the OTS determined that Walnut Creek had the 37th highest DUI arrest rate of 106 comparable California cities.
While there are three jails in Contra Costa County, most drivers who are arrested for DUI in Walnut Creek will be taken to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking. That jail is located at 1000 Ward Street in Martinez.
While the court's policies regarding bail are fluid, most drivers arrested for DUI in Contra Costa County are released without being required to post bail. It is important for drivers to appear at their court date to avoid being arrested for bail jumping.
Charges for DUI in Walnut Creek
The arresting officer's police report is forwarded to the Contra Costa District Attorney's office. A prosecutor then decides what crimes to charge. In a typical case, the prosecutor will charge the driver with misdemeanor DUI and a second misdemeanor for driving “over the limit.” About 3.6% of Contra Costa Count DUI arrests are charged as felonies.
The charges are filed in the Superior Court for Contra Costa County. For arrests made in Walnut Creek, court appearances are held at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse. That courthouse is located at 725 Court Street in Martinez. Although there is a courthouse in Walnut Creek, that court no longer hears criminal cases.
Walnut Creek DUI Convictions
Some prosecutors are more aggressive than others about seeking DUI convictions. In Contra Costa County, only 62% of DUI prosecutions result in a DUI conviction.
Working with an attorney gives drivers who are arrested in Walnut Creek the best chance of avoiding a DUI conviction. Through plea bargaining, filing motions that challenge arrests, and convincing a jury that a reasonable doubt exists, lawyers help drivers obtain the best result that circumstances permit.
In Contra Costa County, 11.2% of DUI charges are resolved by reducing the charge to a less serious crime. Prosecutors in Contra Costa County rarely rely on the offense of “wet reckless.” An amended charge of reckless driving, or “dry reckless,” is the most common reduced offense. That crime is not punished with the same harsh consequences as a DUI.
In another 26.7% of cases, drivers who are charged with DUI in Contra Costa County avoid being convicted of any offense. Michael Rehm can explain the range of possibilities that might help a driver arrested in Walnut Creek maintain a clean record.
Summary:
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence in Walnut Creek, or throughout Contra Costa County, call (925) 589-5564 for a free, confidential consultation and discuss with Attorney Michael Rehm how the law applies to the facts of your case.