San Dimas, California Criminal Defense Attorney

Law Offices of Paul E. Antill

425 W. Bonita Ave., Suite 207 San Dimas, California 91773 USA

 (909) 592-1200 or (888) 529-5255
 (909) 592-1223

www.scalduiattorney.com
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

The Law Offices of Paul E. Antill practice in a number of areas of California law, ranging from criminal law, divorce and family law, personal injury, to many different areas of the transportation industry.

Coming from years of working in the commercial trucking industry, attorney Paul E. Antill understands the needs and concerns of drivers in Southern California, as well as California state laws and the motor vehicle code. He knows the impact that an arrest or conviction for a DUI or DWI can have on commercial drivers, military personnel, drivers under the age of 21 and regular motorists.

At the Law Offices of Paul E. Antill, we believe in treating our clients fairly and honestly, while providing the aggressive representation that their case needs. Our firm answers and returns phone calls promptly, and communicates with clients throughout the process of investigation and trial.

Paul E. Antill's practice also includes: Contracts, Billing, and Business Structure, Trucking, DOT Violations and Traffic Infractions, Truck Accidents, Criminal Defense, Auto Accidents, Family Law and Divorce, Personal Injury, DWI, DUI, Wrongful Death

Mr. Antill credits his success as an attorney to lessons learned from 11 years in the trucking industry. He believes in a results-oriented, bottom-line approach he does whatever it takes to get you what you need, but will never take a course of action that costs more money and stress than its worth.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Presumed DUI, Drivers Under 21, Commercial Drivers, Administrative Hearings, First-Time Offenders, Military DUI Defense

Practice Areas Description

The Law Offices of Paul E. Antill practice in the following areas:

- DUI

Many prospective clients who come to our office believe that there may not be anything that we can do for them. Whether they ultimately go to trial or not, our firm has a positive effect in the vast majority of the cases that we handle. Even in cases where there is a conviction, we can sometimes get penalties reduced and driver's licenses restored. Our firm can also make sure that during the initial stop and arrest, the correct procedures were followed and the constitutional rights of the driver were protected throughout.

- Presumed DUI

In California, you can be arrested for a DUI if you have a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of .08 or higher, even if you are not exhibiting any visible signs of intoxication or impairment. This kind of DUI arrested is labeled a "presumed DUI" or "suspected DUI" because the law presumes that having a BAC of .08 or higher will automatically limit your ability to drive safely.

If you have been given a blood test that reads above .08 BAC, there may still be a defense. There are three major problems with BAC tests that can affect your arrest:

1. There is an inherent range of error that always exists in blood tests and this error can sometimes be the difference between getting a presumed DUI or not.
2. The equipment used in blood tests may be faulty, miscalibrated, or may be improperly administered by the police, which could result in erroneous readings.
3. Alcohol takes a substantial period of time to absorb into a person's bloodstream. Therefore, when a person is tested, the BAC may be higher than when that person was driving. The law states that the BAC at the time of driving is to be counted in determining a suspected DUI, not the BAC at the time of the test.

- Drivers Under 21

In the state of California, under the zero tolerance law, a person under the age of 21 can be arrested for a minor DUI if he or she has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over .01. If the underage driver has a BAC of .08 or above, the driver may also be charged with a DUI as an adult in addition to penalties for a minor DUI.

The laws for implied consent and for criminal offenses are also different for minors in the state of California. Minors are required to submit to field sobriety testing and any breath or blood tests. Failure to submit to these tests will automatically result in the minor losing full driving privileges for an entire year.

At the Law Offices of Paul E. Antill, we represent drivers under the age of 21 in minor DUIs. While the laws are stricter for underage DWIs, the law still gives minors the right to a criminal defense and an experienced attorney.

- Commercial Drivers

For commercial drivers, being convicted of a DUI does not only mean dealing with tough criminal penalties, it also strongly affects their livelihood and their careers. Commercial drivers can lose their commercial license, their motor carrier permit and their regular driver's license, in addition to increased insurance raters and other consequences.

Commercial drivers also face a higher standard than regular drivers. A commercial driver DUI can be assessed if the driver is found with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over .05, as opposed to .08 for noncommercial drivers. Additionally, a commercial driver found with a BAC of over .01 while driving his or her commercial vehicle can also be convicted of a DUI.

- Administrative Hearings

After you have been charged with a DUI or DWI, the state of California only gives you 10 calendar days from the date of the arrest to request an administrative hearing. This includes any time that you may have spent in jail.

For example, if you are arrested on a Friday, spend the weekend in jail and are released on a Monday, you now only have seven calendar days left to request a hearing from the DMV.

A DUI administrative hearing is to discuss your driving privileges, such as license suspension or revocation, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Although you may not have been found guilty in a criminal action, the DMV will still try to take your drivers’ license from you.

- First-Time Offenders

When a person is convicted of a first DUI offense, the California Vehicle Code deems that there are certain levels of punishment required to be enforced by the state. This can include jail time and hefty fines, in addition to the restriction of driving privileges and the mandatory attendance in a DUI program.

After you are arrested for a DUI, the law gives you the right to request a hearing from the DMV. This request must be placed within 10 days of receipt of a suspension or revocation order, which typically occurs immediately after the arrest is made. The officer will also issue you an order of suspension and a temporary license that allows you to drive for 30 days from the date the order of suspension or revocation was issued.

- Felony DUI

While any DUI conviction is serious, a felony DUI in the state of California has increased penalties and consequences that can have a lasting, negative impact on the person charged, including mandatory jail time. If the conduct of the driver or the circumstances of the incident is interpreted as a more serious crime than a misdemeanor, the punishment can be increased by charging the driver with a felony DUI.

A felony DUI can be assessed for a couple of reasons. If the driver has had multiple DUIs in the past, another DUI arrest can be deemed a felony offense. In other cases, drunk driving can be considered a felony if the DUI resulted in an injury to another party. This injury can be suffered by a person in another car, a pedestrian or even a passenger in the driver's own car.

- Military DUI Defense for Clients On Base and Off Base

For military personnel, a DUI conviction can result in penalties assessed by the military that are in addition to civilian penalties. These penalties can include the loss of a military driver's license and even their ability to maintain military service. Military personnel can receive a military DUI whether they are driving off base or on base.

At the Law Offices of Paul E. Antill, we represent military personnel in civilian courts, administrative hearings, federal court and military tribunals. We can defend your rights as a member of the Armed Forces and as a citizen of the United States. Our aggressive representation will look for the best defense possible to allow you to resume your career and reduce the penalties that you will have to face.

Partners

Mr. Paul E. Antill Attorney Business and Industry, Criminal Law, Family Law

More Information on Law Offices of Paul E. Antill

DUI Law Firm in San Dimas, Southern California
San Dimas, California, DUI Attorney
San Dimas, California Driving Under Influence Attorney
Presumed DUI Attorneys in San Dimas, Southern California
Commercial Licenses and Work Permits Lawyers in San Dimas, California
Administrative Hearings Attorneys in San Dimas, California
San Dimas, California First-Time Offenders Lawyers
Military DUI Defense Attorneys in San Dimas, California
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