Sarah Edwards is a seasoned legal writer with more than a decade of experience. Edwards has a deep understanding of advanced legal concepts and a knack for conveying complex topics in simple language. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.
Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards is a seasoned legal writer with more than a decade of experience. Edwards has a deep understanding of advanced legal concepts and a knack for conveying complex topics in simple language. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.
A licensed attorney with nearly a decade of experience in content production, Valerie Catalano knows how to help readers digest complicated information about the law in an approachable way. Her writing has been featured in the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section report.
Reviewed
Valerie Catalano, J.D.
A licensed attorney with nearly a decade of experience in content production, Valerie Catalano knows how to help readers digest complicated information about the law in an approachable way. Her writing has been featured in the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section report.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office reports that over 4,000 DUI arrests are made each year in the county and Bakersfield together. That’s more than 11 arrests per day.
Should you face a DUI charge, you need the best DUI lawyer in Bakersfield on your side. This guide will help you find the right attorney for your case.
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Show Summary
- Best DUI Attorneys in Bakersfield
- Compare Top DUI Attorneys
- DUI Laws in Bakersfield, California
- How Can a DUI Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA Help You?
- How To Find the Best DUI Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA
- Our Methodology for Finding the Best Bakersfield DUI Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bakersfield DUI Lawyers
Best DUI Attorneys in Bakersfield
Compare Top DUI Attorneys
DUI Laws in Bakersfield, California
California takes driving under the influence (DUI) quite seriously. People who are convicted of a DUI face potential jail time even on their first offense, and follow-up convictions are punished severely. Bakersfield DUI lawyers face an uphill challenge when defending clients from any type of DUI charge.
Legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in California
California DUI laws place the same BAC limit on drivers as most other states in the country. Drivers of passenger vehicles are limited to a BAC of 0.08%, while commercial vehicle drivers are limited to 0.04%. If the driver of a vehicle is under 21 years old, California Zero Tolerance regulations kick in, limiting the BAC to 0.01%.
California also sets the high BAC DUI limit at 0.20%. This limit doesn’t change what a person is charged with but does change the penalties they will face.
Implied Consent Laws in California
Like most states, California has an implied consent law. This law requires drivers to consent to a blood or breath test when a police officer suspects they have been driving under the influence. While a driver can refuse to take this test, there are penalties.
When a driver refuses to take a blood or breath test, their driver’s license will be suspended for at least one year. This is called an administrative per se (APS) sanction. This revocation is automatic and independent of any conviction for a DUI. The suspension will remain even if the driver is acquitted of a DUI at trial.
DUI Penalties in California
The penalties for DUIs in California vary depending on the circumstances of the DUI and the history of the driver. These penalties can include:
- Jail time. Between four days and one year for non-felony offenses.
- Fines. Up to $1,000 for standard offenses and up to $5,000 with enhanced penalties.
- Probation. While an offender is on probation, they must obey a strict 0.01% BAC limit while driving.
- DUI school. Anyone placed on probation is required to complete at least 30 hours of DUI school or at least 60 hours if they have a high BAC.
- License suspension. All offenders have their licenses suspended for at least four months.
- Ignition interlock device (IID). The court can require the offender to install an IID for up to four years after their license is restored.
For non-felony offenses, the penalties depend on how many times the offender has previously offended within the past 10 years.
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First Offense
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Between four days and six months in jail
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Between $390 and $1,000 in fines
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Second Offense
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Between 90 days and one year in jail
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Between $390 and $1,000 in fines
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Third Offense
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Between 120 days and one year in jail
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Between $390 and $1,000 in fines
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If an offender causes any injuries during a DUI, they face enhanced charges. Anyone convicted of enhanced charges must serve at least five days in jail if it is a first offense or at least 120 days in jail if it is a second offense.
When an offender is charged with a fourth offense within 10 years or their DUI results in serious bodily injuries, the DUI is charged as a felony. This typically results in at least 180 days in jail, with a possible prison sentence. Offenders will also likely be required to complete at least 18 months of DUI school.
What To Expect After a DUI Arrest in California
When you are arrested for a DUI, the police officer will request that you take a blood or breath test. The police officer is required to forward a copy of the results or your refusal to take the test to the DMV. If you are arrested, you will be issued a notice of suspension and likely given a 30-day temporary license.
You have the right to contest the suspension. To contest it, you must request a per se hearing from the DMV within 10 days of receipt of the suspension order. Bakersfield DUI lawyers may be present for this hearing, but the state will not pay for you to have an attorney.
How Can a DUI Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA Help You?
Bakersfield DUI lawyers can help with every step of the legal process. Typically, a lawyer will first intervene in the DMV administrative hearing. If this hearing goes against you, your license will be suspended for at least four months.
Bakersfield DUI lawyers will try to prove that the suspension action was inappropriate. If this isn’t possible, your attorney may try to negotiate for you to receive a restricted license. This will require you to enroll in a DUI education program and install an IID, but it is better than having your license revoked.
Probably most importantly, though, Bakersfield DUI lawyers will fight to keep you from being convicted of a DUI charge, or if that isn’t possible, fight to keep you from serving jail time. This usually involves making a plea bargain with the prosecution.
How To Find the Best DUI Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA
This guide lists the best Bakersfield DUI lawyers. But how do you determine which lawyer is best for your case? Consider the following factors when choosing an attorney from this list.
- Past results. While an attorney may not be able to divulge all details, they can reveal how they approached similar cases and what results they got.
- Scientific background. Many DUI cases hinge on the admissibility of blood or breath tests, so an attorney with a scientific background may be better able to contest the charges.
- Types of cases handled. If you have a complex DUI case, you want a lawyer who exclusively handles DUIs.
Our Methodology for Finding the Best Bakersfield DUI Attorneys
Forbes Advisor considered many factors to determine the best DUI lawyers in Bakersfield of 2024. Its mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. However, this information should not be considered comprehensive. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bakersfield DUI Lawyers
Is jail mandatory if I am convicted of a DUI in Bakersfield?
Typically, no. Usually, the judge can give you probation instead of a jail sentence.
Will I lose my right to vote if convicted of a DUI in California?
Only if you are convicted of a felony. You only lose your right to vote while you are imprisoned. It is returned as soon as you are released, even if you are on parole or probation.
How long does it take for a case to go to trial in Bakersfield?
Most DUIs are misdemeanor charges. In misdemeanor cases, you can receive a trial within 30 to 45 days from when you are arraigned.
