Bakersfield DUI Defense Lawyer

Experienced California DUI and Traffic Defense Lawyer

Everyday, people are charged with DUIs − but a charge of DUI is not the same as a conviction. A charge of DUI means you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to fight the charges.

I am Mark J. Madrigali, and I have hundreds of hours of experience in the courtroom successfully defending clients charged with DUI and other traffic offenses. My goal is to ensure my clients' rights are protected and they receive an aggressive defense. Contact me today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Experience With Thousands of Cases Protecting Clients Charged With DUIs

At the Law Office of Mark J. Madrigali, I handle about 1,500 traffic violations each year, more cases than some attorneys handle in an entire career. I know the courts and prosecutors and I know DUI defense strategies that succeed.

What Is a DUI?

There are two main types of DUI. Usually you will be charged with both types of DUI at the same time. The first is VC23152(a). A VC23152(a) DUI is driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both. The drugs can be illegal drugs or legal drugs. You can be arrested for driving under the influence of prescription drugs even if you have a prescription. You can be arrested for driving under the influence of over-the-counter medication that makes you drowsy or incoherent. For this type of DUI, your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is not usually relevant. The state must simply prove that you were driving while intoxicated and impaired.

The second main type of DUI is VC23152(b): driving a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. This law deals with alcohol specifically. If the state can prove you were driving with a BAC of 0.08 or greater, they do not have to prove anything else. You are presumptively a drunk driver. What many people do not know is that the state can arrest and convict drivers that are below 0.08. Do you or your friends know all the ins and outs of these complex laws? That is why you need the protection of a great lawyer, not just a good lawyer.

I have cases involving practically every issue that could arise from a DUI, such as:

• Challenging DUI breath and blood tests − To convict you of VC23152(b), driving under the influence of alcohol in a concentration by weight of 0.08 or higher in California, the state must prove that you had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher at the time you were driving. Blood alcohol determinations are commonly performed on Breathalyzer machines. These machines can give erroneous results if not calibrated, maintained and operated correctly. Breathalyzer results cannot be re-tested by your defense attorney. Blood results can be erroneous for a variety of reasons, but in most cases the blood can be retested by a lab hired by your defense attorney. How will you know if your test was done correctly?
• Unlawful DUI stop − To arrest you for drunk driving in California, the police officer must have a valid reason for pulling you over. If the stop was illegal, all evidence collected after the stop, including Breathalyzer test results, may be suppressed. Was your DUI stop legal or illegal?
• Felony DUI defense − If you are convicted of felony DUI charges in California, you will face large fines and potentially long jail or prison sentences. My office routinely gets dismissals and reductions of felony DUI cases to misdemeanors. A felony conviction can scar your life forever. Your right to own a firearm and have a state licensed or government job (teacher, real estate agent, police officer, military service) can evaporate the instant you are convicted. How much is your future worth? Is it worth less than the cost of a great attorney?
• California DUI penalties − Drunk driving is a criminal offense that can affect your employment, your driving privileges and your freedom. It can also cost you thousands of dollars in fines, forcing you to attend alcohol education classes and result in high-risk insurance costs.
• DUI Driver's license suspension − If you are arrested for drunk driving in California, you could lose your driver's license as a result of the criminal DUI charge or from an administrative action by the Department of Motor Vehicles. You need a lawyer experienced with criminal and DMV cases.
• Commercial Driver DUI − Commercial drivers are subject to very specific rules, and the effect of a DUI on their livelihood makes these cases very important.
• California DMV hearings − The DMV suspension hearing is basically a mini-trial, in which your lawyer can cross-examine witnesses against you. There are many ways to contest and win these hearings. For example, if you have been deemed a negligent operator, one way to win your hearing is to get previous traffic convictions set aside.
• Out-of-State Representation − The Law Office of Mark J. Madrigali works with a national network of affiliated attorneys available across the country.

Free Consultation With Experienced DUI Attorney

You need to fight every ticket. If you have more than four points on your driving record, your license could be suspended or restricted for six months.

Contact me by e-mail or call me at 661-861-1472 (Española 661-477-2812) to schedule a free initial consultation.