Being charged with DUI can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone, and you have options. Whether you’re dealing with your first DUI arrest after leaving a restaurant in Arroyo Grande Village, allegations of driving under the influence on Highway 101 or Grand Avenue, or charges involving an accident or injury, understanding your charges is the first step toward protecting your future.
At Central Coast Criminal Defense, we’ve helped Arroyo Grande residents defend against DUI charges since 2010. We know the courts, the prosecutors, and—most importantly—we know how to fight for results that protect what matters most to you.
What Counts as DUI in California?
DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in California is operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. California has multiple DUI laws: Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs regardless of blood alcohol content, while VC 23152(b) makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. What makes California DUI laws particularly strict is that you can be convicted under either theory—prosecutors can prove impairment through officer observations and field sobriety tests even if your BAC was below 0.08%, or prove you were over the legal limit regardless of whether you appeared impaired. Additionally, California has “per se” DUI laws for commercial drivers (0.04% BAC) and zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21 (0.01% BAC).
In Arroyo Grande and throughout San Luis Obispo County, DUI arrests commonly occur at sobriety checkpoints on Highway 101 and Grand Avenue, following traffic stops for minor violations like weaving or speeding on roads near downtown Arroyo Grande Village, after leaving bars and restaurants in the Village area, following accidents even when drivers don’t appear impaired, and during holiday enforcement periods when law enforcement increases DUI patrols. The California Highway Patrol and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office conduct aggressive DUI enforcement in Arroyo Grande, and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes DUI cases vigorously, seeking jail time, lengthy license suspensions, and mandatory DUI programs even for first-time offenders.
What many people arrested for DUI don’t understand is that you face two separate proceedings: criminal court prosecution that can result in jail, fines, and probation, and a DMV administrative hearing that can suspend your driver’s license—and you have only 10 days from arrest to request a DMV hearing or your license is automatically suspended. Additionally, DUI convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences, can never be expunged from your driving record, result in dramatically increased insurance rates for years, and count as “priorable” offenses meaning second and third DUIs within 10 years trigger enhanced penalties including mandatory jail time. Without aggressive representation from an attorney who understands both the criminal and DMV proceedings, you risk losing your license and being convicted even when strong defenses exist.
- Legal Definition: DUI under VC 23152 prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (VC 23152(a)) or driving with BAC of 0.08% or higher (VC 23152(b)), with additional provisions for commercial drivers, drivers under 21, and drug-impaired driving under VC 23152(e) and (f).
- Why It’s Prosecuted: California aggressively prosecutes DUI to prevent drunk driving deaths and injuries, remove impaired drivers from roads before they cause accidents, hold drivers accountable for endangering public safety, and deter driving under the influence through strict penalties and license consequences.
- Common Triggers: Sobriety checkpoints on Highway 101 and Grand Avenue, traffic stops for weaving, speeding, or equipment violations near downtown Arroyo Grande, leaving restaurants and bars in Arroyo Grande Village after drinking, accidents even without apparent impairment, and holiday enforcement periods with increased DUI patrols.
Important: You have only 10 days from arrest to request a DMV hearing or your license will be automatically suspended. Call +1 (805) 621-7181 now for immediate help requesting your DMV hearing and protecting your driving privileges.
DUI Charges We Defend in Arroyo Grande
We defend clients against all DUI-related charges in San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and surrounding areas. Here are the most common offenses we handle:
Standard DUI Offenses
- First-Time DUI (VC 23152(a)/(b))
Driving under the influence of alcohol or with BAC 0.08% or higher with no prior DUI convictions | Max penalty: 6 months county jail, $1,000+ fines, 3-month DUI program, license suspension - Second DUI (VC 23152 + Prior)
DUI with one prior DUI conviction within 10 years | Max penalty: 1 year county jail, $1,000+ fines, 18-month DUI program, 2-year license suspension - Third DUI (VC 23152 + 2 Priors)
DUI with two prior DUI convictions within 10 years | Max penalty: 1 year county jail, $1,000+ fines, 30-month DUI program, 3-year license suspension
Felony DUI Charges
- Fourth DUI/Felony DUI (VC 23152 + 3 Priors)
DUI with three or more prior DUI convictions within 10 years | Max penalty: 3 years state prison, 30-month DUI program, 4-year license revocation - DUI Causing Injury (VC 23153)
Driving under the influence causing injury to another person | Max penalty: 4 years state prison (up to 6 years with great bodily injury), restitution to victims - DUI Murder/Watson Murder (PC 187)
DUI resulting in death where driver has prior DUI and was warned about dangers | Max penalty: 15 years to life in state prison
Related DUI Charges
Prosecutors often stack multiple charges to increase pressure. We frequently see DUI charges combined with:
- Driving on Suspended License (VC 14601.2) – Driving while license suspended due to prior DUI
- Hit and Run (VC 20001/20002) – Leaving accident scene after DUI-related collision
- Child Endangerment (PC 273a) – DUI with child under 14 in vehicle
Additional DUI-Related Violations
- Underage DUI (VC 23136) – Drivers under 21 with BAC 0.01% or higher (zero tolerance)
- DUI Under 21 with BAC 0.05%+ (VC 23140) – Enhanced underage DUI with higher BAC
- Commercial Driver DUI (VC 23152(d)) – Commercial drivers with BAC 0.04% or higher
- Drug DUI (VC 23152(e)/(f)) – Driving under the influence of drugs including marijuana, prescription medications
- Wet Reckless (VC 23103.5) – Reduced charge in plea negotiations from DUI to reckless driving involving alcohol
- Dry Reckless (VC 23103) – Reckless driving without alcohol allegation (favorable DUI reduction)
- Exhibition of Speed (VC 23109(c)) – Another potential DUI reduction charge
- Refusal Enhancement (VC 23577/23578) – Enhanced penalties for refusing chemical tests
- High BAC (VC 23578) – Enhanced penalties for BAC 0.15% or higher
- DUI with Accident (VC 23153) – Alcohol-related accidents even without injuries
- Open Container (VC 23222) – Possessing open alcohol containers in vehicle
- Minor Transporting Alcohol (BP 25662) – Drivers under 21 transporting alcohol
Don’t see your charge listed? This list covers the most common DUI offenses, but we defend against all impaired driving charges. DUI charges can be confusing—if you’re unsure what you’re facing, call +1 (805) 621-7181 and we’ll explain your charges in plain English.
What’s at Stake: Consequences of a DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction doesn’t just affect you today—it can impact your life for years. Here’s what you could be facing:
Immediate Penalties
- County jail time ranging from 48 hours (first DUI) to 1 year (multiple DUIs)
- Substantial fines and fees totaling $2,000-$5,000 or more when including assessments
- Mandatory DUI programs ranging from 3 to 30 months costing $500-$2,500
- Driver’s license suspension from 6 months (first DUI) to 4 years (felony DUI)
Long-Term Consequences
- SR-22 insurance requirements causing dramatic premium increases for 3+ years
- Ignition interlock device (IID) installation required for up to 3 years
- DUI stays on driving record permanently and cannot be expunged from DMV records
- Professional consequences for commercial drivers, pilots, nurses, and others requiring licenses
- Criminal record affecting employment, housing, loans, professional licenses, and immigration status
⚠️ Time is critical. You have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing. The earlier we start building your defense, the more options we have to protect your license and future. Request your free consultation now.
Why Hiring an Attorney for DUI Charges Is Essential
You Face Two Separate Proceedings—Criminal and DMV
DUI arrests trigger two completely separate proceedings: criminal prosecution in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court that can result in jail, fines, and probation, and a DMV administrative per se (APS) hearing that determines whether your license is suspended. These proceedings have different rules, different standards of proof, and different deadlines. You have only 10 days from arrest to request a DMV hearing or your license is automatically suspended after 30 days. The DMV hearing occurs before your criminal trial, and testimony from the DMV hearing can be used against you in criminal court. Without an attorney who handles both proceedings strategically, you risk losing your license even if you win the criminal case, or damaging your criminal defense through DMV hearing testimony.
Field Sobriety Tests and Breathalyzers Are Often Inaccurate
Police use field sobriety tests (FSTs) like walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus to establish probable cause for DUI arrests, but these tests are highly subjective, depend on officer interpretation, and are designed for failure—even sober people fail FSTs due to medical conditions, age, weight, footwear, or road conditions. Breathalyzer and blood tests that measure BAC also have significant accuracy problems including improper calibration and maintenance of breath machines, operator error in administering tests, fermentation and rising blood alcohol defenses showing BAC was under legal limit while driving, and blood contamination issues. We challenge FST results by demonstrating officers failed to follow standardized protocols, attack breath test accuracy through maintenance records and calibration logs, and present rising BAC defenses showing you were under 0.08% while driving but over after you stopped.
Many DUI Stops Violate Your Constitutional Rights
Police must have reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle and probable cause to arrest you for DUI. We’ve won countless DUI cases by filing motions to suppress evidence when police lacked reasonable suspicion for the initial traffic stop, detained you longer than necessary to investigate the initial stop reason without reasonable suspicion of DUI, conducted FSTs or obtained breath/blood tests without probable cause, or obtained confessions or admissions without properly advising you of Miranda rights. If the stop was illegal or evidence was obtained unconstitutionally, we can suppress that evidence—and without evidence of impairment or BAC results, prosecutors typically cannot prove DUI and must dismiss charges.
Local Experience Makes the Difference
DUI prosecutions in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court require understanding how local prosecutors evaluate DUI cases, which judges grant suppression motions versus those who defer to police officers, and how Arroyo Grande juries view DUI evidence and defenses. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office has policies on when they offer wet reckless or dry reckless reductions, and knowing these policies allows us to negotiate effectively. We know the California Highway Patrol officers and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies who make DUI arrests in Arroyo Grande, have reviewed their training records and arrest histories, and know which officers have credibility problems or histories of constitutional violations that we can exploit in your defense.
How Central Coast Criminal Defense Fights DUI Charges
Since 2010, we’ve defended Arroyo Grande residents against DUI charges with a proven, client-first approach:
- Immediate Case Assessment
We immediately request your DMV hearing (within 10-day deadline), review police reports and arrest videos to identify constitutional violations and weak evidence, analyze breath and blood test results for accuracy issues, identify rising BAC defenses or alternative explanations for impairment, and assess whether reasonable suspicion existed for the stop and probable cause for arrest. - Aggressive Defense Strategy
We challenge prosecutors by filing motions to suppress evidence from illegal stops and arrests, attacking field sobriety test reliability and officer interpretation, challenging breath and blood test accuracy through expert testimony and maintenance records, presenting rising BAC defenses showing you were under 0.08% while driving, and demonstrating alternative explanations for officer observations (medical conditions, fatigue, nervousness). - Evidence Investigation
We obtain police dash cam and body cam videos showing the stop and arrest, subpoena breath machine calibration and maintenance records, review officer training records and histories of sustained complaints, interview witnesses who can testify to your sobriety, and obtain medical records showing conditions explaining FST performance or breath test results. - Skilled Negotiation
We work with San Luis Obispo County prosecutors to negotiate charge reductions from DUI to wet reckless or dry reckless, secure dismissals when evidence is weak or unconstitutional, obtain agreements avoiding jail time for first-time offenders, and structure plea agreements minimizing license suspensions and DUI program requirements. - DMV Hearing Representation
We represent you at DMV administrative per se hearings to contest license suspensions, cross-examine arresting officers on stop legality and test procedures, present evidence challenging BAC results and officer observations, and win reinstatement of driving privileges before criminal trials when possible. - Trial-Ready Advocacy
When prosecutors won’t offer reasonable resolutions, we take DUI cases to trial in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, cross-examining officers on constitutional violations and test inaccuracies, presenting expert witnesses on breath test reliability and rising BAC, and arguing reasonable doubt based on weak evidence and alternative explanations for impairment indicators.
Our DUI defense practice is built on successfully defending Arroyo Grande residents against drunk and drugged driving charges. We’ve secured dismissals through successful suppression motions when stops were illegal, won DMV hearings reinstating licenses before criminal trials, obtained acquittals at trial by demonstrating breath test inaccuracy and rising BAC defenses, negotiated wet reckless and dry reckless reductions avoiding DUI convictions, and achieved probation without jail time for clients facing mandatory custody. We understand that many clients facing DUI charges are responsible people who made one-time mistakes—not chronic drunk drivers who deserve to lose their licenses and freedom.
When DUI charges threaten your freedom, reputation, and future, you need more than just legal representation—you need an advocate who knows Arroyo Grande courts inside and out. That’s exactly what you get with Central Coast Criminal Defense.
Get Your Free Case Review Today
Don’t wait to protect your rights and license. Remember: you have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing. The sooner we start, the stronger your defense will be.
Available 24/7 for urgent matters. All consultations are confidential. Remember: You have only 10 days to request your DMV hearing!












