Vacaville Attorney Archives - Page 11 of 12

What Should I do if there is a Warrant for My Arrest?

What is a bench warrant and why is there one for me?

Some of the most common reasons why there might be a warrant for your arrest is that a judge issued a bench warrant based on 1) failure to appear in court on your scheduled date, or 2) failure to complete the terms of your probation, or 3) failure to pay fines. A warrant is signed by a judge and authorizes law enforcement to arrest you.

What are the consequences of failing to comply with court orders?

Failure to comply with court orders may result in a mandatory court appearance, additional charges being filed by the prosecutor, a hold being placed on driver’s licenses with the DMV or an arrest warrant.

What does an arrest warrant mean to me?

An arrest warrant puts you at serious risk because a police officer has a duty to arrest you if there is one outstanding. This often happens if you are stopped for a traffic violation, and the officer runs your license and discovers that there is an outstanding warrant. You can also be arrested at your home or workplace or anywhere that you might come in contact with the police.

What can I do if I’m concerned about an arrest warrant?

A criminal defense attorney can tell you if there is a warrant outstanding, what it’s for and the amount of bail. Your attorney can help you schedule a voluntary appearance, so that you can avoid the scene of getting arrested unexpectedly. If you are out of state, your attorney can provide information to you about your options.

Do I have to go to jail if there is an arrest warrant out for me?

Not necessarily. In some cases, your warrant may be able to be recalled without ever having to appear in court, post bail, or spend time in jail. This depends on the particular circumstances. For bench warrants relating to misdemeanor offenses, your attorney can typically appear in your absence to clear the warrant.

Filed Under: Criminal Law, General, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

5 Ways to Make Sure You Don’t Lose Your Shirt When Splitting Marital Assets

With any looming separation or divorce, you are wise to be worried about the income and assets and how your financial well-being may be impacted. This article will give you some essential background information and five ways to make sure you protect your assets in a divorce.

Background. In California, community property includes all the assets and income acquired during the marriage, and the law requires that the community property will be divided equally, unless there is a written agreement requiring something different.

1. Identify the Extent and Value of Your Marital Assets. This step is vital to protecting your financial future. Discover and document everything you can about the state of your marital financial affairs. In many instances, taking screen shots of information that shows both the information and the date can be very useful down the road.

What bank accounts do you have and how much money is in them?

What investment accounts do you have and what are those values?

Are there employment benefits involved, such as HSA accounts?

What health insurance do you currently have?

What real estate holdings are involved?

What other benefits might be applicable, such as military benefits?

2. Get Your Ducks in a Row About Your Separate Property. In general, separate property is anything acquired before the marriage, by gift or inheritance during marriage, or property obtained during the marriage that can be traced to a pre-marriage acquisition. What does this mean for you? The court is going to presume that any property acquired during the marriage, except by gift or inheritance, is community property. That means that you need to gather the proof to show that what is yours is yours. Look at all sources of documentation to prove your case. This is a list of where to start to look for that proof:

Check emails

Find texts

Ask the gift-giver for any documentation they might have of the gift.

Look for documents or receipts

Check account histories

3. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Most people in a divorce are angry, disappointed and hurt. There is a temptation to be stubborn and to focus on a few key emotional items. If you want to be financially successful in your divorce, you will likely be best served by letting go of the negative emotions and thinking about your marriage as a business that is winding down. Don’t get caught up with issues or assets that don’t have a great value. Time is money, and you will not get the satisfaction that you are seeking out of a “So there!” moment from operating out of revenge or vindictiveness. As much as you can, look at your assets impartially, and seek to make moves that will benefit you the most long-term.

4. Don’t Lie, Cheat or Hide. For many, it is ever so tempting to hide an account here or lie about an asset there. This is typically a very poor long-term strategy for protecting your money. A court can order you to pay the legal expenses of the other side for the search of hidden assets. Those legal fees can add up. Furthermore, a judge can sanction you for lying to the court. Think long-term not short-term, and be forthcoming in your disclosures, not just because it’s your duty, but also because it really is almost always in your best interest financially as well.

5. Hire Competent Help. The legal fees for an attorney can seem daunting, but having an experienced guide help you through the maze of dividing assets will often save you money. Find an attorney who is experienced in divorce and who is committed to helping you reach your goals for dividing your assets.

Filed Under: Divorce Lawyer, Fairfield Lawyer, Family Law, Vacaville Attorney

3 Essential Steps to Best Resolve a DUI Conviction

If you entered a guilty plea to a DUI or lost your case at trial, this article is for you. It discusses what to do next once you have a DUI conviction. Following these steps will help you succeed in completing your probation successfully and putting this conviction behind you.

Set Yourself Up for Probation Success

Know. Make sure you find out what the terms are of your probation and how long it lasts. Typically, you will at minimum be ordered to stay drug free and not have any other criminal offenses.
Do. Confirm that you have your paperwork and call the court for a copy if you have lost it. This will list what you need to accomplish and when. Typically you will need a counseling evaluation and a certain amount of counseling sessions. You may have community service obligations. Following through with the Court’s orders is essential.
Report. Ensure that anything you complete is reported, because you want to “get credit” for the counseling, etc. that you finish. If you don’t know whether the court has a record of what you’ve done, be proactive to call and find out.

Do Not Drive with a Suspend Driver’s License

Don’t drive while your license is suspended. Typically, your license will be suspended. Make sure that you do not drive during the suspension period.
Complete the DUI Program. You will likely need to complete a DUI program prior to reinstatement of your license.
More information about Suspended Driver’s License. For more information about a suspended driver’s license in California go to http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/suspended-license.php

Compliant Driving after a DUI – Interlock and Insurance

Interlock. An ignition interlock device prevents you from driving with a level of blood alcohol above the setting. You will typically be ordered to utilize this device for a certain amount of time following your DUI, and you shouldn’t do anything to try to bypass the system.
Insurance. You need a special type of automobile insurance following a DUI. It is often called high-risk or SR-22 insurance. Make sure that you obtain the right kind of insurance and keep your payments current.

If you take the time to know and obey the terms of your probation, you can successfully overcome a DUI conviction. Make sure that you find out what you need to accomplish, avoid driving while your license is suspended, and take the steps necessary once your driving privileges are restored.

Filed Under: DUI, Fairfield Lawyer, General Legal Advice, Legal Advice, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

3 Things to Avoid Saying in a Custody Battle

You’ve probably heard that you have a right to remain silent in a criminal case, but sometimes it’s an advantage to you to remain silent in a civil case as well. This is particularly true in the tense situation of a custody battle. Some parents can be their own worst enemy in a fight over custody of their children. This article is going to remind you of what you likely already know when you are in a non-stressful situation, and will help you apply these tried and true principles in a custody case.

Avoid All Physical Threats/Cussing/Bashing the Ex

When you are in a custody battle, you need to be cautious about every word you speak. Imagine that the judge is sitting on your shoulder overhearing every word and decide whether your tone and language will benefit you.

Never make a threat of physical harm, even if it is in jest. Even words meant with sarcasm can be taken out of context.
Avoid cussing or hateful speech as these can reflect poorly on you. You have an opportunity to create your image with the words that come out of your mouth, so make sure that you come across as even-tempered, wise and caring. These are traits almost anyone values in a parent, and exhibiting them will help win points in the custody battle.
Don’t bash the ex to the children. When you talk about your ex negatively to the children, it puts the kids in the middle of the battle. It isn’t healthy for them, and it won’t help you with the case.

Don’t be too eager to show your hand

Keep your strategy between you and your attorney. If you were a gambler, you wouldn’t show your opponents your hand of cards. Similarly, you want to avoid giving the other side too much information about your strategy and plans.
You may not want to be too specific initially about your priorities. If having the kids this Christmas is the most important thing to you in this world, you may or may not want to share that information just yet. Revealing your pain points may cause a vindictive ex-spouse to try to prevent you from having the kids this Christmas just to spite you.
Follow your attorney’s advice on information you share. Your attorney can advise you on what information to share or hold back, but in general you want to share information strategically at the right times and in the right ways.

Refrain from “never” and “always” and stick to the truth

Don’t back your ex into a corner. When you tell someone you will never do something or you always deserve something, then you automatically trigger an obstinate reflex. Even though the term is custody “battle,” they often involve a lot of negotiation, so keep tried and true principles of negotiation in mind: Don’t back your opponent into a corner by using words that show you aren’t interested in compromise.
Don’t exaggerate, stick to the truth. In an emotional situation, it is easy to exaggerate a story or twist the truth a bit to try to get what you want. When you are working to get custody of your children, you will be best served by only saying things that are absolutely true because this builds credibility with your children, with the counselors and evaluators that may be involved, and ultimately the judge. Stick to the truth.

While these are a few of the things you shouldn’t say, there are many things that should be expressed. Children are sensitive to divorce, so share your love and appreciation for them often. Take an interest in them. Spend the time that you can and talk to them about their feelings. Take the opportunity to model cooperation and civility for your children during the custody case, and if hard positions or harsh words need to be said, let those come from your attorney so that you can be a calm and collected rock for should children to lean on.

Filed Under: Divorce Lawyer, Fairfield Lawyer, Family Law, Legal Advice, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

How to Know When to Strike a Plea Bargain and When to Go to Trial

Deciding what to do when you are facing a criminal charge can be challenging, but taking a step back to analyze your case will help you decide the best course of action for you. Since each case is different, there are many facts and factors play into a decision this important, but this article will help you think them through.

Do you need to decide yet?

If you were just arrested, you do not need to decide immediately whether to enter a plea or go to trial. You will have the opportunity to attend hearings prior to trial. If you qualify, you can request that an attorney be appointed for you. If you want to hire a private attorney, you will have time to follow through with that. It is possible obtain a continuance to have additional pre-trial hearings if there is an appropriate reason. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t feel pressured to decide your case strategy right up front.

What are your odds of winning at trial?

You need to look at your odds of winning at trial to decide whether to risk it. Is there a witness that may recant or may not be available? Is there a credibility issue that a jury is likely to believe or disbelieve witnesses at trial? How much technology was involved in creating the evidence against you? Is a common person likely to find the evidence reliable? Is the evidence extremely strong, or is there room for doubt?

Is the plea bargain really to your advantage?

Remember that the prosecutor is your adversary in this situation. Look carefully at the deal that is presented. Is it really valuable to you? For example, a typical offer the prosecutor may make to every defendant with a DUI charge is that the traffic violation will be dismissed with prejudice. Is this really a benefit to you? Can you get more out of a bargain if you wait?

What are the policies at play?

A prosecutor is likely under the direction of his or her supervisor, and it is helpful to have the advice of an attorney who knows the prosecutor or the office politics. Is the prosecutor reluctant or eager to go to trial? This could determine whether the plea offer gets better or worse as you go along. Are there restrictions to the prosecutor’s ability to offer you a plea?

What sentence is likely under either scenario?

When you are considering a plea vs. trial, you need to know what punishments are likely with each choice. Make sure you find out all aspects of the prosecutor’s plea. Don’t just focus on the amount of jail time that will be involved, but also find out what counseling, probation and fines will be included. Is there a significant difference between the sentence likely under the plea bargain and the sentence likely if you lose for trial?

These are just a few of the many factors that need to be weighed when choosing between a plea bargain and a trial. Consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney will typically be helpful to you in making the choice because they can assist in determining the strength of the evidence against you, the extent of advantage the plea bargain really is to you, and the various possibilities for sentencing of the charge if a plea is entered vs. a trial.

Filed Under: General, General Legal Advice, Legal Advice, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

3 Ways You Know You Need to Find a New Lawyer

Did you hire an attorney to represent you, and now you are having second thoughts? Are you wondering how to know if you hired the wrong person? Here are things to look for when deciding whether you should break ties and find someone new to represent you. Before you switch attorneys, however, you should always inquire into the retainer and billing and how that change may impact the cost of your case.

1. You Are Not A Priority to This Attorney. We all know that attorneys have a roster of clients, but every case should be handled with diligence and care. Take a look at how serious the problem is. If your attorney is missing hearings or deadlines, then you probably need someone new. If he or she is consistently late to court, then that is something also to look at. If your calls or emails are not being returned, then your attorney is not fulfilling their responsibility to communicate with you. If your attorney talks down to you or pressures you to make a decision you aren’t comfortable with, then those are also signs that you and your attorney may not be a good team.

2. Your Attorney Doesn’t Know What He or She Is Doing. Even if you were referred to your attorney by a friend or if they are an acquaintance, the relationship is a business one. You have to look out for yourself and make sure that you are being represented by someone who is competent to represent you in this type of case. Signs to look for:

Does your attorney seem to know the system?

Can he or she give you an overview of each step or hearing in your case and what will take place?

Does your attorney appear confident?

Trust your instincts about the level of confidence your attorney displays. Confidence doesn’t equal competence, but it is one indicator of whether this is your attorney’s first case of this type or 10000th.

Does your attorney answer questions?

If your attorney is knowledgeable, he or she will not shy away from questions, but rather, encourage you to ask about anything you don’t know or understand.

Does your attorney know the people?

Does your attorney seem familiar with other attorneys, court staff, counselors, etc. Professional affiliations are another clue to experience.

3. You can’t Afford Your Attorney. This is a tricky one because the value you get from an attorney is difficult to quantify. Any attorney is going to be a strain on your budget because divorce, adoption, criminal defense, and so forth are expenses that are unusual and will seem high. So, the financial discomfort of any attorney is a given and you want someone who is good, which doesn’t come free. However, some attorneys are better salesmen than lawyers. Some bill for things that may not be necessary. Here are some things to look for when deciding if the cost is prohibitive:

Are you comfortable with the billing approach? Would you prefer a flat fee for your case? Do you prefer hourly?

Do you understand the fees and do you understand how to maximize your value? For example, if your attorney bills you a flat fee for every email they read from you, then you may want to consolidate all questions into a short email. As another example, is your attorney “chatty” such that a phone call will cost you a lot more than email exchanges or is your attorney a bit of a slow writer, such that a call will resolve issues faster than email.

At the end of the day, do you feel like you are getting the full value out of your representation?

Your decision on legal representation should not be taken lightly, as the outcome of your case will impact your life for years to come. There is no easy answer to whether you should make a change, but the factors to be considered certainly include whether your counsel is giving you the attention you deserve, whether they are competent to represent you in this type of case, and whether you will be able to pay the bill when it’s all said and done.

Filed Under: General, General Legal Advice, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

5 Things Most People Don’t Know About Finding the Perfect Family Lawyer

The perfect family lawyer is the person who best fits with you, your goals, and your case, and it’s worth taking the time to find the best fit. This article will discuss the steps to narrowing the field to the best family lawyer for you.

1. Look at What and Where. Family law is a general term for a practice that typically includes divorce, custody, child support, visitation, alimony/spousal support, adoption, pre-nuptial agreements, and more. If you want to find the perfect family lawyer, you first need to identify what type of case you have. One of the first questions you will want to ask your potential attorney is whether they practice where the case will be filed. Typically your case will be litigated where either you or your spouse live, but there are exceptions, so ask up front whether you are looking for an attorney in the right place.

2. Research Whether Your Potential Choice Specializes in Family Law. You need to do the work to find the best family lawyer, and you have many tools at your fingertips.

Check the Attorney’s Website. Click the links on the attorney’s website. Does the attorney list family law as one of his or her specialties?
Ask Your Attorney Questions about Their Experience in Family Law. Ask as many questions as you can think of, such as how long they have been practicing family law, what types of outcomes they have had in cases similar to yours, what style they practice (whether adversarial or more conciliatory), and what your expectations should be.

3. Do a Reputation Check. Ask friends and family for a recommendation, since word of mouth can be one of the best ways to hear whether an attorney is good or bad. Check the Better Business Bureau website to make sure that your potential choice doesn’t have any complaints. Look at the online reviews to see whether others had a good experience.

4. Talk About the Money. Some clients feel reluctant to talk about the billing, but this should be done right up front. Many attorneys require a retainer, which is a fee paid at the beginning of your case, but that amount isn’t the only number you need to know to make an informed decision. Ask which attorney will work on your case and why. With some firms, the same person will be working on your case exclusively and for the duration. With other firms, you may communicate with a partner, but an associate (less experienced attorney) will be doing much of the work. Find out in advance who will be doing what, and make sure you are comfortable with it. Make sure that you will get back any portion of the retainer that isn’t used. When your bills come, look at them carefully, and don’t be afraid to question a charge that seems unreasonable.

5. Consult with More than One Attorney. Some people feel obligated to an attorney after an initial consultation, but it’s a mistake not to shop around to your top few choices. Trust your impressions. Go to your initial consultation prepared. Ask questions. Take notes. Give yourself time to make the decision and don’t feel rushed, and you will gravitate to the person who is the best fit for you and your needs.

Don’t let your search for an attorney overwhelm you. Finding the best family lawyer is not so different from finding the right home, or a great car or your favorite technology. By following the guidelines above you can identify what you need, do the necessary research, and finally make a well-founded decision on whether that person is the right fit for you.

Filed Under: Family Law, Vacaville Attorney

What Makes the Law Offices of David Knecht Different From Other Vacaville Lawyers

If you are looking for a firm that understands the legal system in Vacaville and the surrounding areas, who is committed to our clients’ success, who has the experience and knowledge to represent you effectively and vigorously, then look no further than the Law Offices of David Knecht. We have a focused practice to serve you in family law, criminal defense or estate planning, and we have a track record of successful outcomes for our clients. Please learn more about the services we can offer you:

Vacaville Is Home. Our office is located in the heart of Vacaville at 500 Main. We serve clients in Vacaville, Fairfield, Dixon, Suisun City, Winters and the Solano County Superior Courts. We are familiar with the law enforcement agencies, judges, and legal community in this area. We understand the system and will help you navigate it wisely.
We Are Committed to the Long-Term Satisfaction of Our Clients. Since this is our home, we are not just looking for a quick buck, but we are committed to the long-term satisfaction of our clients and to building the community with excellent legal representation of each individual one. Mr. Knecht was born and raised in California, and he has been serving and protecting Californian’s for over 30 years. He worked as a police officer and detective in Fullerton, Santa Rosa and Vacaville for over 13 years. He has continued the tradition of service in his legal practice, focusing on family, wills and trusts, probate and trust administration for over a decade.
Experience, experience, and more experience. Mr. Knecht has extensive legal experience to represent you with confidence in all the roles that an attorney plays as an advisor, advocate, negotiator, and litigator. Having been a police officer, a law clerk for judges, and for many years a partner in his own firm, he has represented thousands of clients in estate planning, family law, trust and will litigation, criminal defense, restraining orders and other matters. He has been the recipient of many awards, achievements and memberships, including the Distinguished Service Award from the City of Santa Rosa for leadership and sustained excellence and admission into the Member of Barristers for the Solano County Criminal Defense Bar Association.
Focused Practice. At the Law Offices of David Knecht, we don’t try to be jack of all trades, but master of none. We have focused our practice and honed our experience to understand and serve clients in the specific areas of family law, wills and trusts, probate and trust administration.
Our Results Speak for Themselves. Mr. Knecht has had a long history of obtaining successful outcomes for his clients. Just a few of the past achievements include a family law trial where Mr. Knecht’s client was awarded retroactive child support and over $50,000 in attorney’s fees, a DUI where the charge was reduced to a Wet Reckless with no license suspension, and a Felony Assault Case where the crimes were reduced to a misdemeanor. While the facts of each case are unique and no one can guarantee the results, the track record of the Law Offices of David Knecht show a consistent pattern of passion, hard work, expertise and diligence in providing legal representation.

Filed Under: General, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

3 Ways to Be the Perfect Criminal Defendant

“Help me, help you.” It’s the famous line from Jerry Maguire, and it applies to anyone facing criminal charges and their attorney. How can you help your attorney help you?

1. Communicate. Good communication is key to helping your attorney help you. It comes into play throughout your case.

Phone/Email/In Person. Find out how your attorney prefers to consult with you, whether it’s email, phone or in person. Be available. Respond to messages promptly. Don’t underestimate the importance of following up.

Be Clear. Try to organize yourself so that your story is consistent and organized. This will help your attorney present your case and will help you be believable in the very unlikely event you end up on the witness stand. When you communicate with your attorney about the facts, try to have the dates handy. Remember details. Think through step by step what happened.

Be Assertive. It’s important to communicate with your counsel about your desired outcome. For example, if you want to fight the case, then let your attorney know. If you would prefer to enter a plea, then help him not only understand you preference, but also the details, such as if you want to do your jail time on a specific weekend, or if you need payments for your fines, or if you prefer a certain type of counseling, etc. Your attorney may be able to ask the judge for special accommodations, but only if he or she knows what to ask for.

2. Be Levelheaded. Your behavior on and off the “court” can make or break your case, so be aware of how you are presenting yourself.

Be Collected. Nothing can fire you up more than an unjust cause, so it makes perfect sense that you may get angry or frustrated when speaking about what happened. Anger or frustration directed to your attorney is misdirected will only get in the way of their vigorous representation to help you. Be assertive in telling your attorney what you want or need, but do not be aggressive with the person who is on your side.

Assume the Judge or Court Staff Are Watching Anytime You Are in the Vicinity of Court. Another aspect of being level headed is behaving as if you are always being observed when you are on the premises of the Court. The worst thing you can do for your case is to blow up with one of the Judge’s staff, as this will often be reported back to the Judge. Judges are human and may hold your behavior against you. Additionally, make sure that you are in compliance with all restrictions when going to Court. For example, if your license has been revoked, do not drive to the courthouse. If you are prohibited from contacting a certain person, do not go with them in the same vehicle to the Court.

Be Honest with Your Attorney. Your attorney may or may not want to know if you believe you are guilty of the offense, but your counsel needs to know any information that is likely to be in any records, in witness testimony, etc.

Don’t Hang Your Attorney Out to Dry. Surprises are not welcomed by most criminal defense attorneys. If you know about a witness, or a test result, or a piece of evidence such as a text, let your attorney know. Some defendants are embarrassed to tell their attorney that they did something that wasn’t the smartest, such as an admission to an officer or a confession to a friend. Your attorney is a professional and only has your best interest in mind.

With great communication, staying level-headed, and being honest with your attorney about adverse facts, you can help your attorney help you as much as possible.

Filed Under: Criminal Law, Fairfield Lawyer, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

3 Things Most People Do Wrong After Getting a DUI

If you were just charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence), then the last thing you want to do is make any more mistakes. This article will explain what people often do wrong and what to remember to avoid those pitfalls.

Mistake: Post to Social Media/Publicize to Friends.

Remember: “You have the right to remain silent.”

After getting a DUI, many people are fired up and furious. Many feel that they were treated unfairly by the police or that there were extenuating circumstances in their case. If you feel this way, you may be right, but you should exercise your right to remain silent even when you are not in custody. Your public social media accounts are not the right place to post details about your arrest or charge, because anything posted publicly could potentially be used against you as an admission. It is also a common mistake for people to tell friends or associates at work about the criminal charge. While it may be therapeutic to share the story, it is often better not to share this information with friends or co-workers, as news often travels fast and there may be professional repercussions to you. Remember, you are presumed innocent, so don’t let your own mouth get you into trouble before you have had your day in court.

Mistake: Procrastinate.

Remember: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

Denial is real, and after getting a DUI many people want to forget about it and inadvertently lose track of details. Some throw the paperwork in a drawer. Others fail to find out when their administrative hearing is for the Driver’s License. Many will put finding an attorney on their mental task list, but not follow through in taking that step. The most important step you can take in your defense is the first one. As the old adage says, you eat an elephant one bite at a time. First, organize your paperwork. Next, identify important dates: When is your administrative hearing? When is your first court date? Third, decide on your legal defense: Are you going to request a public defender? Are you going to hire a private attorney?

Mistake: Have Another Run-In With the Law.

Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

So you have a DUI. It’s not good news, but it is manageable. Even if it’s not your first DUI, you need to remain calm and focus on the future, not the past. The most important step you can take is to keep your nose clean and stay out of trouble. The worst mistake you can make is to compound the DUI with subsequent criminal offenses. It’s common for people to have problems after the DUI, so expect this from yourself and prepare for it. Depression can push people back into an addiction cycle, where illegal drug use may be a problem. Enlist the help of family members and friends to avoid anything that could lead to criminal offenses: do not drink and drive, avoid situations that may erupt in domestic violence, beware of illegal drug use, do not drive if your license is suspended). This is how you avoid the “big things,” but there are other small things you can do. If you are a passenger, encourage the driver to obey traffic laws. Avoid situations or friend groups where illegal activities may be occurring, even if you aren’t participating. The bottom line here is do everything you can to avoid getting charged with another crime.

Filed Under: DUI, Vacaville Attorney