The Law Office of Derek R. Ewin

05/25/2026

How Is A DUI Charge Defined In California?

In California, there are two things that need to be established in order to show that a person was driving under the influence. First, it must be shown that the defendant was driving a car. For the purposes of the California statute, driving just two inches in a parking lot is considered driving. It’s called volitional movement. Just the movement of the tires is enough to show that someone was driving. Secondly, it must be proven that the defendant was either impaired by alcohol or was at or above the legal limit at the time of driving. In California, the legal limit is 0.08. In laymen’s terms, being impaired means that you can’t drive safely due to being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Learn more here: https://www.drewinlaw.com/dui-charge-defined-in-california/

05/19/2026

What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make After A DUI Arrest?

One common mistake is failing to sign up for a DMV hearing. In California, you only have 10 days after your arrest to sign up for a DMV hearing. At that hearing, you have the ability to contest whether or not your license should be suspended by the DMV. Many people think that if they are guilty, then there is no point in signing up for a DMV hearing. However, even if we lose that hearing, we may gain useful information. Some people don’t realize that there are things we can do from the beginning that will help their case down the line. Putting off this hearing only limits what an attorney can do to help a case.
Learn more here: https://www.drewinlaw.com/common-mistakes-people-make-after-a-dui-arrest/

05/08/2026

What Happens During A Typical DUI Arrest In California?
The average DUI arrest begins when an officer finds a reason to pull someone over and then suspects that the driver is intoxicated. The officer will ask the person whether or not they have been drinking and will most likely continue to ask questions regardless of how the person answers. The idea is to try to determine when the driver was drinking, how much they drank, whether or not they were feeling the effects of the alcohol, when they were driving, where they were coming from and where they were going.

Learn more here: https://www.drewinlaw.com/dui-arrest-process/

04/27/2026

Are There Any Hardship Or Occupational Licenses Available In California?
If a person under the age of 21 is arrested for DUI, then their license will be suspended for one year and they will not have the option to obtain a restricted license. However, there is something called a critical needs license in California, which allows a person under 21 to petition to the DMV to have their license returned. These petitions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more here: https://www.drewinlaw.com/hardship-license-in-california/

04/20/2026

What Is An Ignition Interlock Device? When Is It Used In California?
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a device that is installed in a vehicle to prevent it from starting unless the driver blows into the device and registers a value of zero for alcohol. It also requires a driver to periodically blow into it while driving. If the driver fails to do so, the vehicle will turn off. The purpose is to prevent people driving with alcohol in their system. If a person has had multiple drunk driving arrests and wants to get their license back prior to the end of the suspension period, then they will be required to have an IID.

Learn more here: https://www.drewinlaw.com/ignition-interlock-california/

04/15/2026

What Factors Might Enhance Or Aggravate A DUI Charge?
The factors that might enhance or aggravate a DUI charge include high blood alcohol levels, having
children present in the car, getting into an accident, injuring somebody, refusing to take a chemical test,
multiple or repeat offenses and reckless driving at high speeds. These factors can result in more severe
sentences and may result in additional requirements if you are not in jail while the cas Learn
more here: https://www.drewinlaw.com/dui-enhancing-factors/

03/24/2026

What Are The Penalties Associated With A DUI Conviction In California?

Any DUI conviction in California is going to involve probation, jail time, a fine, some sort of suspension of a driver’s license and some sort of DUI School. It’s possible to do a case without probation, but in my experience, doing so will result in a really high sentence to encourage probation. On a first-time DUI, there will be between three and five years (usually three) of informal court probation, and a minimum of two days and a maximum of six months in jail.

Learn more here: https://www.drewinlaw.com/dui-penalties-california/

03/02/2026

Derek Ewin – A Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer With Local Connections And Respect –

Watch here: https://youtu.be/IAeGBaHd2xI

www.drewinlaw.comThe Law Office of Derek R. Ewin201 North Civic DriveSuite 225Walnut Creek, CA 94596United States(925) 205-6718Having worked in Contra Costa ...

12/10/2025

Common Weapon Offenses In California | Attorney Derek Ewin Explains

Watch here: https://youtu.be/Dex4WAMjNv8

www.drewinlaw.comThe Law Office of Derek R. Ewin201 North Civic DriveSuite 225Walnut Creek, CA 94596United States(925) 205-6718California has strict laws on ...

12/02/2025

Consequences of DUI in Walnut Creek, CA: Expert DUI Lawyer Explains

Watch here: https://youtu.be/SU2f2LR93Hc

www.drewinlaw.comThe Law Office of Derek R. Ewin201 North Civic DriveSuite 225Walnut Creek, CA 94596United States(925) 205-6718If you've been arrested for DU...