SAN FRANCISCO DUI LAW CENTER
An Informational Guide to the Prosecution, Defense and Sentencing Practices in the Superior Court of San Francisco County, California
 The unique aspect of California DUI prosecution in the City and County of San Francisco is that the potential for a good plea bargain is higher than in virtually any other Bay Area county. The reason for this is a mix of good liberal politics and a crowded court docket. Prosecutors at the San Francisco Hall of Justice recognize that drunk driving is not the crime of the century and they know that jurors in this great City tend to be more skeptical and questioning of police tactics and evidence.
The key to beating a DUI charge in San Francisco---or at least getting a reduced offer on it---is to retain a local lawyer who specializes in this field. Such a lawyer will know the ramifications of a DUI conviction and how the California DMV will treat a drunk driving conviction. If you have one or more prior convictions for DUI or DWI (some states refer to it as "driving while impaired"), you want an attorney who is knowledgeable about the ways to attack prior convictions and the adequacy of out-of-state convictions.
The area of DUI defense has become increasingly technical over the years, and you want a lawyer who is up on the most recent developments in this field. Feel free to review the contents of this entire website for further information about DUI prosecution and defense in San Francisco. You may wish to order a copy of California Drunk Driving Law, a two-volume treatise co-authored by two of California's most pre-eminent DUI defense lawyers (one of whom has an office in San Francisco). You do not have to be an attorney to order this book---just go to www.jamespublishing.com/books/cddl.htm and they will overnight it to you for $129.00 plus S&H.
San Francisco Superior Court
S.F. Hall of Justice
San Francisco Police Department
San Francisco County Sheriff
San Francisco District Attorney
San Francisco County Crime Lab
San Francisco DMV Office
Court fines, fees, and assessments that may arise from a drunk driving conviction include vehicle towing and storage; booking, fingerprinting and photo; driver’s license reinstatement; car insurance increase; community service fee; DUI victims’ fund; alcohol abuse education fund; DUI classes; DUI victim’s impact sessions; and time payment charges. |
