California has something called an “implied consent” law. This means if you are arrested for driving while intoxicated, it is implied that you have consented to a blood or breath test. Your refusal can trigger a suspension of your driver’s license. You may be able to avoid that license suspension,…
San Francisco Criminal Lawyer Blog
Governor Brown Announces an Audit of the DMV Amid Skyrocketing Wait Times at the Agency’s Offices
On September 21 of this year, the Sacramento Bee reported that Governor Jerry Brown directed the DMV to undergo an audit. The governor’s directive placed the task of handling the audit, which will focus on extremely long wait times and outdated technology, with the Department of Finance instead of the…
How Can I Remove Points from My California Driver’s License or Avoid Points Altogether?
If you get on the Internet and use any popular search engine, you’ll find many web pages devoted to attempting to answer the question, “How do I get points on my driver’s license removed?” In California, there are some options. If you have been charged with a traffic violation, you…
Governor Brown Signs Bail Reform Bill, Meaning that California Will Abolish Cash Bail as of October 2019
In August 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 10, which enacted sweeping reforms to part of the state’s pre-trial criminal process, specifically bail. Under the new process, which will take effect in October 2019, cash bail is abolished. In its place will be a new system that…
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with Driving at a Speed of 100 MPH or More in California
Any speeding offense has the potential to inflict a negative impact on your life. However, an offense where you are accused of traveling at 100 mph or greater can have especially bad consequences, from higher fines to a higher number of points on your license to a loss of driving…
California’s Negligent Operator Treatment System, and What You Can Do if the DMV Suspends Your License
For many people, decisions by the DMV to suspend their driving privileges are massive and severe penalties. Many people must drive to earn a living, tend to their loved ones and even secure food to eat. Being left without driving as an option could potentially put them in a terrible…
You Can Fight Your Bay Area Speeding Ticket, Regardless of What Technology the Officer Used to ‘Clock’ Your Speed
News sources recently reported on a “crackdown” on speeding violations in one Bay Area city. The crackdown included catching drivers using state-of-the-art technology for calculating drivers’ speeds. However, even if you’ve been ticketed by an officer equipped with the latest in cutting-edge technology, do not despair. You may still have…
What Exactly is a ‘Speedy Trial’ and How Can Demanding One Impact Your California Domestic Violence Case?
The law provides criminal defendants with various tools and options for carrying their defenses. Some of these defense techniques may be based upon the specific facts involved in the case, while other tools are based upon case law, statutory law or rules of procedure (and may have nothing to do…
What is an Expungement, How Can it Help Me, and How Do I Go About Obtaining One in California?
A DUI conviction can have a serious impact on your life. It may cost hundreds in fines, may negatively affect your insurance rates, and may even affect the jobs at which you can work. (As an example, a DUI on your record will probably prevent you from driving for Uber…
One Bay Area Driver Recently Tried a Unique Argument to Try to Dodge a Speeding Ticket. It Didn’t Work.
Everyone responds to agitation in different ways, and almost anyone experiences some sort of agitation when they’re pulled over by the police for a speeding violation. Some people cry. Some become hostile. Others panic. Still others try to debate their way out of the ticket while sitting on the shoulder…