San Diego DUI Attorney

At Our Law Firm, we believe “Experience Counts”

Vincent Ross is an experienced San Diego DUI attorney practicing exclusively in criminal defense law. With over 29 years of experience, he has expertly handled hundreds of cases and prides himself on defending the rights of the accused, including police officers, sheriffs, SWAT team members, Border Patrol agents, and members of the Department of Defense. Mr. Ross graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1987 and has defended clients accused of violating criminal laws in the state of California since then. Ross Law Center delivers experienced, aggressive, and professional criminal defense representation throughout San Diego County.

Don’t be fooled by other DUI & criminal attorneys

Other law firms may promise to make personal appearances in relation to all aspects of each case, only to send an “appearance lawyer” instead. At San Diego DUI Attorney, attorney Vincent Ross guarantees, in writing, to handle each case personally with the diligence and attentiveness it deserves. At San Diego DUI Attorney law firm we want clients to feel confident that their case is seen as a high priority, because it is. Each client will be provided with the attorney’s office number, private cell phone number and private email address because we understand that things come up outside of normal business hours. We are available nights and weekends for your convenience. No other firm can match our level of dedication and our extensive experience.

A history grounded in success and integrity

For almost 30 years, the attorneys at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm have provided exceptional criminal defense services to our clients. Our attorneys have successfully negotiated complex criminal cases and have established an exemplary track record. As a result, judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals in San Diego, North County San Diego, and all of the surrounding areas, hold our firm in the highest regard. Our dedication to upholding ethical standards and integrity in our practice has earned us the respect of our peers as well as our clients. We pride ourselves in working side-by-side with our clients and their families every step of the way. Please contact our firm immediately if anyone that you know has been arrested. If you have been charged with a crime, we offer a confidential free consultation to help you understand all of your options and to ensure that your rights are protected.

Calling our criminal defense attorneys immediately will ensure that you obtain counsel on how to avoid self-incriminating statements, which can compromise your case. We will also assess the specific circumstances of your situation, including the criminal charges you are facing, and provide you with professional advice on your options for the most effective defense. Our attorneys will utilize any necessary and available tools to best support your case, including private investigation, witness interviews, and thorough analysis of all facts and evidence.

What do you do if you’ve been arrested for a DUI?

When arrested for drunk driving, clients often have many questions. Is there jail time involved? Do I need a criminal defense attorney? How much will this cost? What is an arraignment? Can a DUI charge be overcome? Knowing your rights and acquiring a qualified attorney will help provide answers and peace of mind before a court hearing occurs.

Our website and blog contain further information on a variety of topics associated with DUI charges. Additionally, the following information provides a foundation to help you get started. Please feel free to contact San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm for a free consultation so that we may thoroughly discuss the details of your case as soon as possible.

DUI arraignment

An arraignment is the initial court appearance following a DUI charge and arrest. At this hearing, the charges will be brought forth and a plea will need to be entered. You can make a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Additionally, you have the right to challenge the charge brought against you. To do this, you must plead not guilty and the court will schedule a trial. Without an attorney, the arraignment hearing can be a confusing, frustrating, and complicated process. A DUI attorney will assist you throughout this entire process, ensuring that you understand your rights, and that those rights are always being protected.

Avoiding the loss of your California driving privileges

During an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI), the police officer will likely confiscate your driver’s license, offer you a temporary license, and issue a notice of suspension. The temporary license is valid for 30 days from the date that it was issued. After those 30 days, the license suspension goes into effect. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the charge and is typically from 30 days to a year. Refusing a breathalyzer when arrested can result in an immediate license suspension of one year. If you have prior DUI convictions, two to ten years can be added to the license suspension. It’s important to note that suspensions issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will apply even if the DUI charges are dismissed or decreased.

However, you do have the ability to dispute the suspension of your license if you request an administrative DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest. One of our attorneys can attend the hearing with you to walk you through the process and provide the best opportunity to retain your driving privileges.

Requesting a DMV hearing

If you would like to dispute the suspension of your license, either you, or your attorney, need to call the DMV Driver’s Safety Office within 10 days of your arrest. If you do not request the hearing within 10 days, you waive the right to dispute the suspension. This also applies for individuals with an out-of-state driver’s license; in which case, the suspension will go into effect in the state from which the license was issued. An experienced DUI attorney will assist you through the DMV hearing process and fight for a positive outcome.

Penalties for DUI charges

In the state of California, a DUI charge can lead to possible jail time, the suspension of driving privileges, costly penalties and court fees. Even for a first time offender, a DUI misdemeanor charge can result in the suspension of driving privileges for at least six months, up to six months of jail time, and fines as high as $1000. Court-mandated mandated drug and alcohol classes lasting three to nine months are also likely. For individuals with prior DUI offenses, the penalties will be even greater.

How to avoid a criminal DUI conviction in San Diego

A prosecuting attorney may attempt to convince you that the case against you is indisputable, but that is often very misleading and incorrect. Our attorneys can examine the specifics of each case and assist in finding the most effective defense against your DUI charge. The attorneys at Ross Law Center are experienced and dedicated to preventing a conviction.

Possible defenses against a DUI charge

• The arrest and/or detainment were illegal.
• There was insufficient evidence to support the charge.
• There was a lack of probable cause to make a traffic stop.
• Evidence related to administration was mishandled (blood tests and breathalyzer procedure).
• There is evidence of a violation of the presentation of Miranda rights.
• The defendant was able to pass field sobriety tests.

These defenses may be applicable to your case. Contact our law firm if you have been charged with a DUI in San Diego County and one of our experienced attorneys will evaluate your case and determine which defense will be most compelling in fighting your charges. It is important to remember that an effective defense is time sensitive so it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately after your arrest.

Aggressive Defense Strategies

In defending your DUI case, we aggressively seek out every possible defense strategy. We realize that there are in excess of 50 causes of BAC and breathalyzer tests being inaccurate, that arresting officers often fall into legal missteps or violate the rights of arrestees, and that every piece of evidence presented against you can be challenged. We possess high-tech computer software capable of analyzing your metabolic processes to build a defense. No stone is left unturned, and we tenaciously pursue your interests by every means possible.

We Take Pride in the Fact that We Are NOT a “Mill.”

A frequent pit-fall encountered by criminal defendants seeking competent representation on their case is what is known as a "mill." A “mill” is a law firm that are retained by a large number of clients at a time, based on promises of results from that firm’s attorneys, only to turn around and hire other attorneys, at a fraction of the price the clients paid them, for the other attorney to do all the work. This practice is unethical at best, and rarely results in the truly best outcome for the accused client. To the “mill”, you are one anonymous face, among many. At San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm, we take the time to get to know our clients; OUR attorneys, as opposed to other attorneys, do all the work on your case; and we truly care about the outcome of your case.

The attorneys at San Diego DUI Attorney have rejected the concept of the “mill” as outrageous and unethical, and our business model reflects our decision to only provide the highest caliber service to our clients, and treat them like a human being with real fears and concerns, as opposed to a faceless check. We handle each case with a one-on-one approach. The only people working on your case are the attorneys listed on the “meet our team” page; take a minute to become acquainted with the skilled, dedicated, team that makes up the San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm now!

We Don’t Simply Clock In at 9 in the Morning, and Clock Out at 5 at night

The support staff, and attorneys, at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm do not simply pretend to care about you and your case; we not “blow smoke” in exchange for a paycheck. As opposed to many other firms, where your call will not be taken outside of regular business hours; you can call any time of day and your attorney will keep you informed of the process. We take pride in our ability to put our client’s minds at ease that we are always working to provide our clients the best possible outcome.

Our confidence in the fact that our level of service and dedication are unique allows us to say this with the utmost confidence: if you can and are able to discover a firm with 30 years of proven results who is available 24/7, hire them. We are confident that another firm of the same caliber as San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm does not exist. San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm has become what it is because it was built on a foundation of success, vigor, and integrity.

Over the span of nearly three decades, or 30 years, Vincent Ross has represented a wide range of clients, and against a vast number of criminal charges. Mr. Ross has represented clients in matters ranging from misdemeanor offense to serious felonies. Mr. Ross has appeared as counsel on cases involving just one defendant, and he has appeared as counsel on cases involving complex issues and several criminal defendants. Throughout his storied career, Mr. Ross has provided nothing but high caliber representation in criminal matters involving defendants in San Diego County. Mr. Ross has taken the knowledge he has acquired, and his dedication to justice, and infused that into the attorneys at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm. Our skill, integrity, and dedication have earned the trust, respect, and admiration of prosecutors, judges, and other legal professionals alike. 

As mentioned above, we have made a respectable name for San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm by adhering to our bedrock principles; integrity, dedication, and vigor. We approach each, and every, case with stern professionalism; we will be respectful, but we will not waiver in the face of pressure. We will advocate vigorously, but we will never take a position that is contrary to our clients’ best interests. Our integrity, and commitment to justice, is one of the many reasons we have earned the respect of the San Diego legal community; whenever one of our attorneys steps into the courtroom, everyone knows they mean business.

A frequent error made by other law firms, is that they miss the big picture about what a “good” criminal defense firm looks like. It is undeniable that professionalism is a major part of success, they don’t want to agitate the Prosecutor, or hassle the judge. Unfortunately, many firms value “professionalism” over the vigorous representation of their clients’ interests. This could be caused by many things, but the end result is that the attorneys who value professionalism over zealous defense are frequently ineffective. Since the Prosecutor, or Judge, is aware that these attorneys are unlikely to fight back against unfavorable outcomes, those attorneys can be pushed around; why would the Prosecutor negotiate fairly when they know someone won’t fight back against unfair terms.

At San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm, we’re not afraid to fight back when the Prosecutor is trying to drive an unfair bargain; most Prosecutors have already learned not to mistake our professionalism for weakness – we are in court to protect your freedom, not make friends.

We have spent nearly 30 years honing our craft, and perfecting our understanding of the criminal process. Our firm but assertive approach to the criminal process has resulted in outstanding success.

The Intake Process at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm is Unlike the Process at Other Firms

After you have been arrested, everything feels like a whirlwind, and it can be truly overwhelming to navigate the legal system on your own. Having an attorney from San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm not only means you will have competent representation, but also means you will have a skilled and dedicated attorney in your corner, fighting for your rights. When you come to San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm, you will be greeted by our skilled support staff, and our exceptional attorneys to conduct what is called “an initial consultation.” This is your chance to meet the attorney who will spend every moment fighting for you until we obtain the best result possible. This is also an opportunity for your attorney to meet you, and put a name to a face, to learn your story and what this means to you, and to evaluate your case and identify what kind of exposure you may be facing.

A criminal charge against you is unique to you. It will affect you differently than the next person based on what’s going on in your life at the time. An unfavorable outcome to a case could have far reaching effects including school applications, security clearances, background checks, possession of firearms, and even professional licenses. It is a critical part of the intake process to get to learn about the person who is being charged, so your San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm lawyer can identify what in undesirable, and what simply cannot be allowed to happen. This is why San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm prioritizes the opportunity to personally meet our clients, offer them a free consultation, and develop a theory of defense that will result in the most beneficial outcome to your case possible.

In the initial consultation, your attorney will begin building your case immediately, guiding you through the process beginning on day one. It is common practice at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm to provide our clients with a step-by-step guide of what we would like them to do as the case proceeds through the legal system.

We Encourage You to Ask the Tough Questions

Having the right attorney representing you is one of the most important decisions you will have to make when you are facing criminal charges in San Diego. This is because whoever you choose, will be in your corner throughout the entire process, making objections to evidence on your behalf, negotiating with the Prosecutor, and ultimately advocating for a favorable verdict in front of a judge and jury. We encourage potential clients to ask our attorneys the tough questions; in a time of overwhelming emotion, the attorneys at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm take pride in being able to provide the comfort of knowing you have hired the right firm to represent your interests. We encourage you to ask your attorney how long they have been an attorney, how many cases like yours they have tried before, and how many jury trials they have conducted. We are not interested in being hired because we say we’re good, the attorneys at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm want to be hired because they are truly the best in the business. We encourage you to engage in online research about your attorney. Finally, once you are positive that San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm is the best in the business, and then we want you to hire us. The tough questions are frequently not asked in initial consultations, we look forward to those inquiries. We are client trusted and trial tested.

Exceptional Service

It is easy for every company to promise excellent customer service, at San Diego DUI Attorney Law Firm, exceptional service is a promise we always keep. We have DMV-dedicated staff that can assist you 24/7/365, and our lawyers will take the time to explain to you your options in an upfront but courteous manner.

Call San Diego DUI Attorney today for a FREE DUI consultation at 619-535-7150. 
Our award-winning lawyers serve clients in San Diego, North County San Diego and other communities in the San Diego County region.

For more than a quarter-century, the highly trained defense attorneys at San Diego DUI Attorney have been providing San Diego residents with exceptional criminal defense services, including many DUI cases. Despite frequently handling highly complex cases, we have a proven record of successful outcomes that outdistances our competition. Over the years, our legal expertise in California DUI law, our commitment to the highest of ethical standards, and the personalized attention we give each of our clients has earned us widespread respect in the industry. In San Diego, North County, and adjacent areas, local judges and prosecutors hold our law firm in high regard. Please feel free to contact us for a free DUI consultation.