San Diego Law Blog

New DUI Prevention Technology Coming Soon

By San Diego Attorney on August 24, 2022

Recent Congressional legislation will require future cars to include technology that monitors the driver to determine if they are too intoxicated to drive. As stipulated by the $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Biden in 2021, all new automobiles sold in America will be equipped with these drunk driving prevention devices as soon as the technology is available.

Automakers and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) are working together to design and implement Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) that will “passively monitor the performance of the driver of a motor vehicle to accurately identify whether the driver may be impaired.”

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Aging and DUIs: Does Your Age Change Things?

By San Diego Attorney on August 15, 2022

People are living longer an seniors continue to enjoy active lives. And this includes driving. There are over 40 million drivers over the age of 65, which is 50 percent more than there were just 20 years ago.

With more seniors driving, there’s a greater risk for problems that result from automobile collisions. In fact, over 6800 seniors die in traffic accidents annually.

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Why is a DUI Sometimes Considered a “Wobbler” Charge?

By San Diego Attorney on August 1, 2022

Most DUI cases in California are misdemeanors. But some DUIs may be prosecuted as a felony based on the circumstances of the case or the driver’s record. These cases are called wobblers.

Prosecutors have a considerable amount of discretion when it comes to deciding how to proceed in a wobbler DUI case, but it’s ultimately the judge who decides how the defendant will be charged.

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Breathalyzers and Marijuana

By San Diego Attorney on July 30, 2022

What is driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) in California, and what are the penalties?

Driving under the influence offenses in California include both alcohol and drugs. You’re committing an offense if you drive in a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance under Section 23152 (f) of the California Vehicle Code. You’re also committing an offense if you’re driving while affected by both drugs and alcohol, under Section 23152(g).

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Can I Be Turned Down For a Job if I Have Had a DUI?

By San Diego Attorney on July 15, 2022

How DUIs could hurt your job chances—in a nutshell

Employers in California can only conduct a criminal background check after making a conditional offer of employment. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, this check looks at your criminal record for up to seven years before the check (although there are some jobs where employers are still required by other legislation to obtain a full criminal record).

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Can You Drive For a Rideshare Company With a DUI?

By San Diego Attorney on July 1, 2022

What is considered a DUI in California?

A DUI (driving under the influence) conviction in California arises from:

• Driving with excess blood alcohol content (0.08% for people over 21, 0.04% for commercial drivers over 21, and 0.01% for all people younger than 21).
• Driving under the influence of alcohol. This charge can be laid against people who have a blood alcohol level of less than 0.08%, but who are still displaying clear signs of intoxication.
• Driving under the influence of drugs. These can range from illegal drugs like methamphetamines to prescription painkillers, and even over-the-counter sleeping pills.
• Driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.
• Driving while suffering from drug addiction.

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Are Field Sobriety Tests Required in California?

By San Diego Attorney on June 30, 2022

What things make police pull a driver over?

To pull a driver over for suspected DUI in California, police need “probable cause,” which can include erratic driving and minor traffic violations.

Signs that your driving might be impaired include delayed reaction time as you take a corner (leading you to drift across the road as you round a bend), hitting the brakes slightly too late at a stop sign, or failing to signal before you turn.

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What Happens When You Violate Your DUI Probation?

By San Diego Attorney on June 15, 2022

How does DUI probation work?

The vast majority of people who are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in California receive a probationary sentence rather than jail, providing they agree to abide by certain conditions and restrictions. They usually include:

• Payment of a fine of $390–$1000
• Completion of DUI school
• Agreeing not to drive with any blood alcohol content for the probationary period
• Agreeing to comply with all chemical tests for alcohol and drugs when pulled over by police.

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Driving Under The Influence of Heroin

By San Diego Attorney on June 1, 2022

What does California consider driving under the influence of drugs?

Driving under the influence of drugs is a charge laid by the police against people driving while affected by any drug, apart from alcohol. Drugs can include illegal substances like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, or they could be purchased legally or prescribed to you.

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Can You Drive on Hydrocodone?

By San Diego Attorney on May 30, 2022

Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is a prescription opiate that can be taken as short-term or long-term medication for pain. It’s also sometimes used as a recreational drug and can be found in combination with other drugs, such as oxycodone or acetaminophen.

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