Fresno DUI Defense for Spanish-Speaking Drivers and Families

A “wet reckless” is a charge reduction to reckless driving, with a note that alcohol or drugs were involved. It is often a favorable agreement, since it carries lower fines, less probation time, generally does not require an ignition interlock device (IID) and has less impact on your driving record than a full DUI conviction.

Our DUI attorneys in Fresno can negotiate with Central Valley prosecutors to seek this reduction when the police chemical evidence is questionable or the blood alcohol level is close to the legal limit.

A single DUI arrest is not, by itself, a “crime involving moral turpitude” or an “aggravated felony” that results in automatic deportation for a lawful permanent resident. However, if there are aggravating factors, such as driving on a suspended license, causing serious injuries or possessing illegal substances, ICE may start removal proceedings.

That is why it is important to coordinate with our immigration attorneys, so that any agreement in criminal court is as safe as possible for your immigration status.

In California, field sobriety tests, such as walking in a straight line or following a pen with your eyes, are voluntary. Police often present them as an order, but you can politely decline.

The preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) breath test at the scene is also optional for most drivers. The exception is if you are under 21 or on probation for a DUI: in those cases, refusing can lead to a license suspension. This test is different from the chemical test after an arrest, which is mandatory.

If you already took the field sobriety tests, our DUI attorneys in Fresno can review the terrain, the lighting and your medical history to challenge results used against you.

There are two parallel and independent processes: the administrative DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) hearing and the criminal case in court. The DMV only deals with your driving privileges, while the criminal court decides fines, probation and possible jail time. Losing one does not automatically mean losing the other.

Having our DUI attorneys in Fresno in both processes allows for coordinated representation and lets us use evidence revealed at the DMV to strengthen your defense in court.

Yes. Central Valley police sometimes stop drivers whose slow movements or delayed reflexes are legitimate effects of prescription painkillers or mood stabilizers, and mistake them for illegal intoxication.

If this is your situation, you can schedule a consultation through our contact page. We can work with toxicology experts to validate the medical use and question whether your ability to drive was actually impaired under California law.

One of the biggest challenges for the prosecution in a marijuana DUI case is proving that the driver was actually impaired at the time of the arrest. Unlike alcohol, California does not set a specific THC level that, by itself, shows that a person was driving under its effects. For that reason, prosecutors usually build the case by arguing that the driving was dangerous and that the person did not pass the sobriety tests. They also use the driver’s statements and blood test results. However, none of these pieces of evidence necessarily determines the outcome on its own; the court will weigh the evidence and the circumstances of the stop as a whole.

Because this process has weaknesses, our DUI attorneys in Fresno review the investigation for inconsistencies and challenge how the evidence was interpreted, with the goal of weakening the charges.

If an officer notices the smell of marijuana during a traffic stop, it may lead to a broader investigation. However, that does not mean you will automatically be found guilty of a DUI. Since recreational cannabis use was legalized for adults in California, the smell alone is no longer a conclusive sign that a person was driving under its effects.

In practice, officers rely on other factors before making an arrest. They will evaluate your behavior, your coordination and your performance on sobriety tests, and then decide whether you may be unable to drive safely.

As DUI attorneys in Fresno, we check that the police stop respected your constitutional rights. If the investigation relied on insufficient observations or skipped important procedures, we will use that as an argument in your defense. With a detailed analysis of your stop and the evidence obtained, we may be able to challenge an arrest that lacks a sufficient basis.

Depending on the circumstances, a first DUI charge does not always end with jail time. In California, the law allows judges to consider different factors before imposing a sentence. At a minimum, they must consider the defendant’s record, the circumstances of the case and whether there was an incident that caused injuries or damage to others.

A DUI attorney in Fresno can seek alternatives such as probation, DUI education programs, substance use treatment, fines or community service. Whether these options are available will depend on the applicable laws, the context of your arrest and the decisions the court makes during the case.

Our team works to protect your freedom: we negotiate with the prosecution, identify weaknesses in the evidence and present solid legal arguments.

In Fresno, many people work as drivers of trucks, commercial vehicles and agricultural transport. If your job depends on a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a marijuana DUI charge can affect not only your license but also your job stability.

CDL holders are subject to stricter rules than other drivers, so an arrest can bring serious administrative and employment consequences. This happens even when the arrest occurs while driving a personal vehicle. In addition to a possible suspension of the commercial license, some transportation companies have internal policies that can affect continued employment.

Our DUI attorneys in Fresno build defense strategies that consider not only the criminal case, but also your commercial license and your job.

The presence of THC in a blood sample is not, by itself, conclusive proof that a driver was actually under the influence of marijuana. In these cases, a DUI attorney’s work is key to building a defense based on the scientific evidence.

Your DUI attorney in Fresno should act quickly and strategically to show that the result reflects earlier use. To do this, they can question how the sample was obtained, the handling of the chain of custody, the lab procedures and how the results were interpreted. They can also rely on scientific studies explaining that certain THC-related compounds remain in the body for some time without affecting the ability to drive.

Every case requires its own technical analysis. An early review of the file allows us to identify issues that can be challenged before the prosecution presents all its evidence. If you are facing a marijuana-related DUI charge, a free initial consultation can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your situation.