Napa County Out-of-State Residents DUI Defense

What Happens to Tourists When They are Arrested for Drunk Driving in Napa County?

Since Napa is in the heart of wine country, there are thousands of tourists that visit the wineries here each year. Out-of-state residents need to be careful when they go wine tasting, however, because the local police aggressively pursue drunk drivers. Tourists account for roughly one out of every five DUI arrests in Napa, and the District Attorney's office does not typically show leniency to drivers from out-of-state.

Out-of-State Resident DUIs in Napa

Tourists arrested for drunk driving in Napa County usually have to spend some time in jail. Because they are from out of the area, bail is often set higher, since the motorist has no ties to the local area. This makes it a very expensive process right from the outset. Another immediate consequence of a DUI arrest for an out-of-state resident is the loss of their California driving privileges, and this can have repercussions on the out-of-state license.

Upon your arrest, you are given a notice that your driving privileges in California will be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles after 30 days. You have just 10 days to challenge this suspension. If you fail to request an administrative DMV hearing within this 10-day window, the suspension automatically goes into effect.

In addition to losing your California driving privileges, a DUI arrest results in criminal charges. You may be charged for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, commonly referred to as "per se" DUI. In many cases, local police and the California Highway Patrol arrest tourists for drunk driving even if they are below the legal BAC limit of .08.

Defending DUI Charges in Napa County

For tourists from out of state, it is important to understand that an outstanding DUI charge in California is a serious matter. If convicted, you may be looking at heavy fines and penalties, jail time, loss of both California driving privileges and your home state driver's license, and several other consequences. A criminal conviction can result in several other consequences as well, such as difficulty obtaining housing, loans, employment, and college admission. In addition, if your career requires a professional license, your professional license may also be in jeopardy.

The good news is that in many instances, there are weaknesses in the prosecution's case that can be leveraged to obtain a reduction of charges or have the charges dismissed altogether. Examples include lack of reasonable suspicion for the enforcement stop, insufficient probable cause for the arrest, failure to Mirandize, improper administration or evaluation of field sobriety tests, inaccurate chemical tests, and other defenses. It is essential to be represented by a DUI attorney with extensive experience and a proven track record of success in Napa County. An experienced Napa drunk driving defense lawyer can represent you at both your administrative DMV hearing and court appearances without you having to appear personally.

Speak with a Board-Certified Napa County DUI Attorney

For more than 30 years, Attorney Paul Burglin has successfully defended tourists from out-of-state who have been arrested for drunk driving in Napa County. Attorney Burglin thoroughly understands California DUI laws and the Napa County DUI process. He is one of only five lawyers in California who is Board-Certified by the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), as approved by the American Bar Association, and because of his position as a Regent with the NCDD for more than 10 years, he has access to a network of reputable DUI attorneys across the country who provide guidance on the consequences of a California drunk driving arrest in your home state.

If you are an out-of-state resident facing a DUI charge in Napa, contact Attorney Paul Burglin today at 707-320-4007 for a confidential and discreet consultation. We serve clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Napa County, including Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena, Calistoga, Yountville, Rutherford, Pope Valley, Deer Park, Oakville, Angwin and surrounding Napa Valley communities.