Free DUI Lawyer In California

Reader’s Question:

My brother is asking me to help him find a good auto insurance company here in California. I don’t know anything about auto insurance so I also need some help here. He mentioned that I have to make sure that I choose collision auto insurance rather than liability coverage, but what’s the difference?

Pearl

East Kern, CA

It can really be hard to decide what type of auto insurance your brother needs in East Kern, California. But you can definitely understand these things by doing a little research and seeking advice form an insurance agent. There are a lot of auto insurance companies out there and the competition is real tight. There are three kinds of vehicle insurance coverage that a provider can be able to offer your brother. These are liability, collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage.

Liability coverage will give your brother the minimum level of coverage and still be able to drive in most states. The aim of this liability insurance is to give protection for the motorist against legal liability if he/she is at fault for a certain accident or was held accountable for. On the other hand, collision coverage will give compensation to the motorist if the automobile is damaged due to an accident, no matter who is at fault. Property damage would also be covered with collision insurance and also the damage to the automobile that’s a result of collision with other objects.

Reader’s Question:

I’m only 14 years old and I really don’t understand the legalities of my brother’s DUI case here in San Diego, California. He told me that he was given a pink paper or something, what is this?

Elbert

San Diego, CA

During your brother’s DUI arrest in  California, the police officer has taken away his California driver’s license and gave him a pink form that is entitled “Suspension Order and Temporary License.” This is a form that would serve as your brother’s temporary license and notice that this temporary license would automatically go into suspension in 30 days unless a hearing on the driver’s license is requested with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Your brother would have 10 calendar days to contact the DMV and request for a hearing. Once the hearing is requested, the driver’s license suspension would automatically be postponed pending the outcome of the DMV hearing. Your brother could be able to choose an in-person DMV hearing or a phone hearing. It would always be better that they request a live hearing. This DMV hearing would be very important on your brother’s DUI case because it would give them a preview of his DUI trial.

Reader’s Question:

My brother was charged with DUI here in California. He fully understands that he needs to seek help from a lawyer. Can we get a general practitioner or does it have to be a DUI specialist? How can we choose the best lawyer who would represent my brother in court?

Laura

Chula Vista, CA

Not all California DUI defense lawyers are the same. Some might be able to defend your brother and tilt law to his favor. Others might just drain your brother’s resources and might not be able to keep him from going to jail. His life and his future will depend entirely on how well he is represented, so your brother would have to choose his lawyer carefully.

You have to remember that DUI laws require a special attention because DUI defense is an extremely complex and specialized field. It will not be a good idea to hire a ‘generalist’ lawyer because it would be like hiring a dental hygienist to perform oral surgery. See if a big percentage of the lawyer’s cases are DUI related or if he/she is a specialist in DUI. This is the only way for your brother to determine that he is dealing with a professional.

You can also check the attorney’s rank through the Martindale-Hubbell International Directory of Attorneys and you must also check the California DUI lawyer’s general background. You must certainly give more credit to DUI lawyers who are Board-certified members of the National College for DUI Defense because this reaffirms their expertise in the DUI field.

Reader’s Question:

I am facing serious problems now with two of my sons. The younger one, who is 19 years old, was charged with DUI after consuming alcohol and being involved in a fatal accident. I’ve been arguing with the authorities because they also want to press charges against my older son who is 24 years old for providing alcohol to his younger brother. They said that he was identified by a witness and by surveillance tapes from the liquor store. Can they actually charge my older son because of that?

Janet

Fremont, CA

Your question is very interesting.
Being arrested for DUI can be so upsetting, and being in a vehicle accident while under the influence of alcohol can be so terrifying. But it can be downright devastating knowing that you caused a fatal DUI crash without even being present at the scene.

If your older son bought alcohol for his brother, he could actually face charges related to a DUI car crash even though he was nowhere near the scene of the fatal DUI accident. There is a section in the California DUI law included that provides specific penalties for adults who provide alcohol to someone who is underage (below 21 years old). The California DUI penalties increase in severity if the minor’s drinking results in death or injury. Your older son could face a $1,000 in fines or up to one year in county jail.