Recognized for our integrity and honest determination to help clients obtain the best possible outcome, our staff works diligently to help you protect your future against DUI charges. Attorney Nic Cocis has earned a reputation with area prosecutors of being a fighter, but one who works within the legal system to get results. This leads to a willingness by many prosecutors to work with us to reach satisfactory results for our clients.

If you have been arrested, you have rights! Remember, you do not have to say anything to the arresting officer. Exercise your Miranda Rights and remain silent. Anything you can say can be held against you in a court of law! It is completely alright to remain quiet and speak with an attorney about your circumstances. California law has harsh penalties for anyone that has been convicted of a DUI. Charges for vehicular manslaughter or an accident involving an injury can add additional fines and jail time to your DUI charge.

DUI Penalties in California

DUI Process in Murrieta, Temecula, and Hemet

• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Administrative Per Se (APS) process: The California APS law requires the DMV to suspend or revoke driver's licenses for individuals arrested for DUI. To protect your license status, you must contact the DMV within 10 calendar days of an arrest to request an APS hearing. At that point, a temporary license could be issued, thereby allowing you time to challenge the suspension through a DMV hearing.

If you do not contact the DMV to request an APS hearing, your license will be suspended automatically for four months or more. It is important to act immediately. Contact us to prevent an automatic suspension, and keep your license in good standing.

• Criminal justice system, Trial Readiness Conferences (TRC) and court dates: Upon receipt of a DUI ticket, you are also given a court date. At your first court date, called an arraignment, you will be provided an opportunity to plead not guilty, or for your lawyer to appear on your behalf while you fulfill work or school obligations. At this point, the court will set dates for Trial Readiness Conferences, which are subsequent court dates where your attorney can use negotiation tactics to dismiss or reduce charges and challenge the probable cause for arrest.

Tough and Effective Criminal Defense Services

• In order to find evidence to prove your case and weaken the prosecution's, our staff will analyze your arrest to ensure that:
• Your rights were adhered to throughout the traffic stop and ensuing arrest
• All police procedures were followed during field sobriety tests
• Blood alcohol level analyzers were properly calibrated at the time of your test

The best option is to hire a top criminal defense attorney. At the Law Office of Nic Cocis, we understand that the vast majority of people accused of drunk driving are not criminals, but in fact, are ordinary citizens caught in the criminal justice system. We work diligently to help you protect your future from the effects of these charges, whether a mistake was made on your part or not.

Our office is located near the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, California. We represent individuals charged with DUI in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Banning, Corona, Winchester, and Riverside.

Get in touch with our office and call our Murrieta DUI lawyer before it is too late.