If you’ve been charged with a DUI in San Diego, you’ll need to find a highly qualified DUI lawyer in San Diego to take your case. Having an advocate to navigate you through the court system will be invaluable to your peace of mind and, ultimately, the outcome of your case. If you’ve just been arrested for DUI it is in your best interest to learn all the applicable San Diego DUI laws you’ll be subject to. These laws are discussed below.
Why do I need a DUI Lawyer in San Diego?
In San Diego California, the DUI laws are very tough. Below are the charges you are most likely facing;
23152(a) It is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
23152(b) It is a misdemeanor to drive with .08% or more of alcohol in your blood.
In most cases, both the 23152 (a) and 23152 (b) offenses will be charged. Although only 1 act was performed the law clearly states that a suspect charged with drunk driving can be (and in almost every instance is) convicted of both the (a) and (b) offenses. The law also clearly states that the person can only be punished for 1 of the above offenses (the punishments are nearly identical though).
As you can see, having a San Diego DUI lawyer is critical to the success of your case. While you can defend yourself in your DUI case, a San Diego DUI lawyer will help you navigate the tough local laws through experience and personal connections.
How do I know which DUI lawyer in San Diego to choose?
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a DUI lawyer in San Diego. You need to make appointments with several lawyers to interview them about their practice and relevant experience. A good DUI lawyer in San Diego will have an experienced track record of success with DUI cases and some important contacts to call on. You should find out how many DUI cases the lawyer you select has defended and more importantly the outcomes of those cases within San Diego County.
A good DUI lawyer in San Diego county will be your personal advocate in court and will be able to attend all of the required court proceedings on your behalf. This will allow you to avoid the stressful, time-consuming court appearances unless the law requires you to specifically appear.
You should also find out how long your San Diego DUI lawyer has been in practice. Of course, your best bet for a good DUI lawyer would be someone who has years of experience under his/her belt. Selecting your lawyer based on cost is not usually the best option as the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ is especially true when selecting your DUI defense team.
Meet With A DUI Lawyer in San Diego
When you’re in the initial phases of searching for a San Diego DUI lawyer, you shouldn’t have to spend any money. A reputable San Diego DUI lawyer will be happy to meet with you for a free consultation to discuss your case. At this initial meeting you’ll find out more about the fees in relation to your specific DUI charge. At the very least you should meet with several DUI lawyers in San Diego to discuss your case, get some important free information and make your important decision about who will represent you on this very serious charge.
By: Tim H
DUI Lawyer in San Diego
June 28th, 2010 by admin No comments »Divorce Lawyer – How to Choose One
June 27th, 2010 by admin No comments »
Unfortunately the chances of a married couple splitting up gets higher each year so hiring a divorce lawyer is the next crucial step; some guidelines on what to look for are listed below:
Fully qualified to deal with your case Have the correct bearing for this type of work A conscientious person
The best attorney to employ is one who, for at least half their time, is dealing with divorce cases and is fully skilled in mediation techniques. They will need to be someone in whom you can place your trust and feel comfortable working with so if these criteria cannot be met then you will need to look elsewhere.
Mediation minded attorneys are more likely to give you problem solving advice, whereas traditional attorneys tend to be more oriented to conflict and their advice tends to be adversarial. The most important thing is to be very well prepared whenever you contact your divorce lawyer so know your facts, what you want to ask about and exactly what you want the lawyer to explain or do for you.
Plan each conversation by making an agenda and write down the things you want to talk about; take notes on the content of the conversation and the amount of time spent on phone calls. Try to keep actual meetings to a minimum and where points have to be clarified, use the phone or send a letter.
Remember you divorce attorney is there for their expertise in the field and not to act as a counselor, you should hopefully be able to use people close to you for that. Never trouble your divorce lawyer with trivial matters that do not directly concern the divorce.
The most important aspect for you to get sorted out is the control of the situation which should be yours and then you will be able to use your lawyer more effectively. If they are there purely to act in accordance with the legal issue of divorce it will be more efficient utilization of their services and you will be making the decisions. Ask that you be sent copies of all documents and letters and let them know that you expect phone calls to be answered by the next working day after all you are the one paying the bills.
If money is an issue, it may be a preferable for you to only contact a lawyer for legal advice on a marital settlement but not representation. You may decide to carry out research first before you contact them, only asking your lawyer questions you have not been able to find answers too. Some people only use a divorce lawyer to re-read and check a marital settlement they have drafted on their own but at least these people have the backup of using a lawyer if all else fails.
By: Harry Bernstein
Doctor, Lawyer, Janitor, Teacher – Distinct Identity
June 27th, 2010 by admin No comments »
Dedicating yourself to your work/career gives you the sense of a distinct identity-doctor, lawyer, cashier, pilot, nurse, janitor, teacher, et al. Your work/career are simply roles and do not reflect, who you truly are.
Focusing intently on work tasks might give you a sense of accomplishment that could generate greater self-confidence in yourself and what you do. Although, it is important to be proud of your accomplishments, it is also important to reflect on who you are as a person rather than only seeing yourself through your role at work.
If you wonder if your work defines you, you need to take time to look deeper within and ask yourself who you would be if you were not working. Think about what characteristics you have that are special and unique will help you realize that your dependability and accomplishments are something that is innate and not dependent on what you do at work.
Separating yourself from your work gives you a healthier perspective of who you truly are. Since you spend a large portion of your time at work, it is understandable your sense of self and self-worth becomes wrapped up in your work-related goals and successes. The danger in this paradigm lies in linking who you are to what you do, since if you were to receive criticism at work, you could easily be devastated. By seeing your special qualities as being part of you and not part of your job, you will have greater confidence in yourself and be devoted to the most important aspect of who you truly are.
By: Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD