No one wants to get convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) in California. Even a DUI arrest can be incredibly stressful for a driver to handle. For this reason, many drivers wonder how to avoid getting a DUI in California.
You can review some tips for avoiding a DUI with this article. You can also consider methods to handle DUI charges if you are arrested. Get legal advice from the professionals at the Simmrin Law Group right now.
How to Avoid a DUI: Don’t Drink Before Driving
The most obvious way to avoid DUI charges in California is restricting your alcohol intake before you operate a vehicle. The state has set limits on legal blood alcohol content (BAC) while operating a vehicle. You can avoid many DUI charges if you keep your BAC:
- Below 0.08% if you are over 21
- Below 0.04% if you are a commercial driver
- Below 0.01% if you are under 21
Note that you can also face DUI charges if you take illicit drugs or some prescription medications before getting behind the wheel. If you do not consume these substances, you may avoid getting a DUI in the state of California.
How to Avoid a DUI: Follow the Rules of the Road
Law enforcement officers in California are not allowed to stop drivers without reasonable cause. This means that you should only be pulled over for a DUI if you were operating your vehicle in a suspicious way. You could be stopped if you were:
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Weaving between lanes of traffic
- Running stop signs or red lights
- Driving in an otherwise erratic way
Additionally, police officers may stop you if there is a problem with your vehicle. A broken tail light can be enough to instigate a traffic stop. Once you are stopped, law enforcement officers may become suspicious that you were drinking, leading to a DUI charge.
How to Avoid a DUI: Stand Up for Your Rights
You have rights during a DUI traffic stop. You do not have to answer all the questions posed by police officers. You may politely decline to answer questions like:
- Were you drinking earlier?
- How many drinks did you have?
- Where did you just come from?
Declining to answer questions that would incriminate you is legally allowed. Note, however, that you should not lie to police officers.
Additionally, you may be within your rights to refuse field sobriety tests and preliminary-alcohol screening (PAS) tests in California. You are not legally required to complete these assessments unless:
- You are under 21
- You are on DUI probation
- You are legally arrested
The results of these tests may make it easier for a prosecutor to convict you of a DUI in California. However, you should be aware that you can face additional criminal charges if you refuse a legally ordered test. If you are arrested, you must comply with chemical testing for a DUI.
How to Avoid a DUI: Get Professional Help
A DUI arrest does not have to lead directly to a conviction in California. You can improve your odds of avoiding a DUI conviction by contacting a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as you are arrested. The team at the Simmrin Law Group can:
- Advise you during legal interviews
- Investigate your case and gather the facts
- Work to dispute evidence against you
- Focus on getting your charges dismissed
- Assess any plea bargains offered by the prosecution
- Take steps to get your charges appropriately reduced
- Defend you in the courtroom
Drivers who work with DUI lawyers in Los Angeles have a better chance of beating a DUI conviction. Your lawyer can focus on your unique legal situation. A legal professional may be able to handle your charges by demonstrating that you were stopped without due cause, or that you were not intoxicated when operating a vehicle.
The team at the Simmrin Law Group may even be able to demonstrate that any BAC tests you took were inaccurate. Let us get to work on your defense now.
Avoid a DUI Conviction with a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer
You may be able to avoid a DUI arrest by obeying the rules of the road and keeping your BAC below the legal level. You can also handle DUI charges in California by reaching out to the Simmrin Law Group. Allow our DUI lawyers in Los Angeles to help you avoid a DUI conviction right now. We can get started with a FREE initial case evaluation.
You can reach us easily by completing our online contact form or calling (310) 896-2723.