Don’t let old mistakes get in your way on the path towards success.  If you have ever been arrested, convicted of a crime, or found delinquent in juvenile court, you must read this!! Having a criminal record serves as an obstacle to future life choices.  It may prevent you from getting a JOB, going to COLLEGE, in obtaining professional or commercial LICENSES, it can lower your CREDIT, prevent running for public office and joining the military.  In addition, if you’re ever in court again, your criminal record may lead to HARSHER PUNSHMENT if you’re convicted.

It is seldom known to non-lawyers, but in most cases you have the RIGHT to:

•             Have your Felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors
•             Early release from probation
•             Seal your juvenile record
•             Expunge your adult felony and misdemeanor convictions
•             File for a Certificate of Rehabilitation

Regardless of what type of criminal record you have, it is strongly recommended that you clean up your record as much as possible. You need a Los Angeles criminal lawyer.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

If you’re interested in trying to do something about your California criminal record, you should speak with an la criminal attorney.

If so, the  LA criminal attorneys at Zolonz & Associates can HELP!

All too often, I have heard from clients and friends that when they are pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), they are not sure what, if anything, they should do or say.

First, the police officer will likely ask you a series of questions about what you have had to drink, what you have eaten that day, illnesses, sleep- a basic history of issues that may contribute to the alcohol level in your blood stream. Second, the officers will request you perform a series of Field Sobriety Tests (FST’s) which may include one or more of the following:

• One Leg Stand

• Walk and Turn

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test

• Recite the Alphabet

• Count Backwards

•Finger-to-Nose

These Field Sobriety Tests allegedly can show whether or not a driver is impaired. In recent years, officers will also administer a “Preliminary Alcohol Screening” or a PAS. Again, this device is use to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the driver is under the influence. You have the right to refuse the PAS test (but, do not be confused with the breathalyzer test or blood test explained below where refusal has significant legal impact).

It is very important to note that you have NO obligation to answer any questions or to submit to the field sobriety tests. In effect, these are statements to the officer to which you are under no legal obligation to give and which may incriminate you. However, under California Vehicle Code 23612, by driving in California, you are consenting to take a chemical test to determine whether there is alcohol in your system. While you do not have to answer any questions or submit to the field sobriety tests, including the PAS, if you refuse to submit to the breathalyzer or blood test, you AUTOMATICALLY will have your license suspended for one year.

If you are pulled over by an officer and have been drinking, be cooperative, but do not make their case for them. Politely refuse to answer any questions and refuse to take the field sobriety tests. Politely ask to be taken to the station for administration of a breathalyzer test and call us as soon as you can after your arrest so that we can help you through the court process.

It is also important to remember that you have only ten (10) days from your arrest to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to request a hearing. The DMV is separate from the criminal courts. If you do not schedule this hearing within this time period, your license will automatically be suspended.  Call us to help you with staying all DMV proceedings and representation at your DMV hearing.

Contact Zolonz & Associates to speak with a criminal attorney in los angeles who can help you fight your case. We are successful criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles.

The “preliminary alcohol screening” test is used by most law enforcement agencies and it produces breath test readings which are usually not helpful to the defense. It is the hand-held device used at the scene of the arrest, usually after the cop has finished the field sobriety tests. A citizen has the RIGHT TO REFUSE — or not consent to — the test.

In an appellate decision in November, 2010 the court ruled for the first time that the trial court should exclude the PAS admonition and the refusal and not allow the prosecution to argue a conscious of guilt. The ruling acknowledged that “consent” is required and that the PAS test is a “search” for alcohol is therefore protected by the 4th amendment.

This is a good case for criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles and is authority for a position that the attorneys at Zolonz & Associate defend against DUI charges. It provides a further basis for a criminal attorney in los angeles to argue when there is a PAS test that the “consent” to such a search was not knowing and voluntary and exclude the results at trial.