Located in the San Ramon Valley, Danville is an incorporated town with a population of approximately 45,000. As part of Contra Costa County, Danville is known for the Iron Horse Regional Trail running through the town. The trail was first a railroad, which was later converted to biking and hiking trails that extend from Dublin to Concord.
Danville is sometimes known as the “Heart of the San Ramon Valley,” and was named after Daniel Inman, who purchased about 10,000 acres in 1854 with money he made from the Gold Rush. Danville was a farming community, first producing wheat, and later fruits and nuts, following the Southern Pacific Railroad’s spur line which went through the area in the late 1800s.
If you live in Danville, you may have found yourself enjoying a cold beer at the Southern Sweetwater Tavern on Hartz Avenue. The Tavern has an extensive selection of beer, an amazing patio, and televisions for sports enthusiasts. You may have gone to Norm’s Place, also located on Hartz Avenue, with friends, enjoying its funky space, wide array of cocktails and cozy patio seating. Perhaps you have spent time at The Growler, located on San Ramon Valley Blvd. in Danville, enjoying the craft beer, expansive spaces, and outdoor tables.
Whether you have been to any of these establishments, or you have your own favorite place to spend time with friends or relax after work, if you found yourself being pulled over and charged with DUI on your way home, you are now likely anxious and worried about your future—with good reason. The consequences of a California DUI—even a first-time DUI—can be extremely serious.
With only a first conviction, you could face:
- Fines and fees in the thousands of dollars
- Three to five years’ probation
- 48 hours to six months behind bars
- Mandatory attendance at a three-month alcohol program
- Vehicle impounding and ignition interlock device installation
- Heightened insurance premiums or loss of insurance altogether
- Loss of employment and employment opportunities in the future
In order to minimize the consequences of your DUI charges, it is important that you speak to an experienced Danville DUI attorney as soon as possible. Attorney Nabiel Ahmed offers free consultations to discuss your options—call (510) 907-6600 today.
What About California DUI Sobriety Checkpoints?
If you were stopped at a DUI sobriety checkpoint, you should know that these checkpoints are legal in the state of California—so long as the guidelines are followed.
In order to be legal, the checkpoint must:
- Indicate the official nature of the checkpoint;
- Reflect good judgment so far as the time and duration;
- Must use adequate safety precautions;
- Must be reasonably located;
- Must have supervising officers on site who make operational decisions;
- Should detain drivers for a minimum amount of time;
- Must use neutral criteria when determining which drivers to stop, and
- Should incorporate public, advance advertisement of the checkpoint.
Even though police officers are required to have probable cause for a traffic stop, the U.S. Supreme Court has determined the dangers from impaired drivers outweigh the “intrusion” of sobriety checkpoints.
You are allowed, under California law, to try and avoid a DUI checkpoint by safely turning around.
Officers are not allowed to target a driver specifically because he or she avoided a checkpoint; however, the driver can be stopped for another reason, such as an illegal turn or a problem with their vehicle. Don’t wait to call a knowledgeable Danville DUI attorney—the sooner you speak to an attorney, the more likely you are to have a more positive outcome for your DUI charges.
Get a free consultation on your charges—call (510) 907-6600 or submit a simple online form to speak with Attorney Nabiel C. Ahmed. We serve Danville and Contra Costa County from our Oakland offices.
If you’ve been detained, we offer jail interviews and over-the-phone consultations, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us.