Trusted San Diego DUI Attorneys
Get experienced legal guidance concerning driving privileges and legal rights.
Understanding the Need for a DUI Lawyer
The criminal justice process following a DUI arrest can be complex. Individuals facing these charges often have concerns about:
Driver’s license suspension or revocation
Potential jail time
Significant fines and court costs
The long-term impact of a criminal record on employment or status
At San Diego Defense Group, we guide clients through the process and fight to protect their future. Our attorneys have resolved hundreds of DUI cases in San Diego and know how to challenge the prosecution’s evidence at every stage.
What To Do After a DUI Arrest
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Act quickly — a limited timeframe of 10 days exists to challenge a license suspension
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Ensure you have legal representation for DMV and court proceedings
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Contact San Diego Defense Group to begin developing a defense strategy
Our DUI Defense Services
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There are only 10 days after a DUI arrest to request a DMV hearing. We act quickly to protect our clients’ driving privileges.
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Breathalyzers and field sobriety tests are not perfect. We challenge errors in testing procedures and fight to exclude unreliable results.
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We work to minimize penalties and keep our clients’ record clean.
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Repeat DUIs or DUIs with injuries carry harsher penalties. We develop aggressive strategies to fight enhanced charges and protect our clients’ rights.
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From treatment plans to home detention, we pursue alternatives to jail that help our clients move forward.
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If a DUI case goes to trial, experienced courtroom lawyers are essential. We are trial-tested and ready to fight before a judge and jury.
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Once your case is resolved, we can help clean up our clients’ record and protect their future opportunities.
Penalties for a DUI
in San Diego
DUI penalties in California vary. A conviction can carry serious consequences under state law. Even first-time offenders may face significant consequences.
First DUI Offense (Misdemeanor)
Up to 6 months in jail (often avoidable with alternatives)
Fines and fees of $2,000+
3 to 9 months of DUI school
4-month license suspension (restricted license possible)
Second DUI Offense (Within 10 Years)
96 hours to 1 year in jail
Fines and fees up to $2,500
18 to 30 months of DUI school
2-year license suspension
Felony DUI or DUI with Injury
Up to 1 year in county jail (misdemeanor) or up to 4 years in state prison (felony)
Fines up to $5,000, DUI program, license suspension/revocation
May be charged as a “serious felony” (strike) if great bodily injury is alleged
Repeat/felony-prior DUIs can also carry up to 3 years in state prison under other provisions.
Under-21 & College Student DUIs in San Diego
California enforces a zero tolerance law for drivers under 21. Any measurable amount of alcohol (0.01% BAC or higher) can lead to a DUI arrest.
Consequences for under-21 drivers include:
One-year driver’s license suspension
Mandatory DUI education programs
Fines and probation
Long-term impact on education, jobs, and insurance rates
For college students in San Diego, a DUI can also trigger campus discipline at UC San Diego, SDSU, USD, and local community colleges. It may affect housing, scholarships, study abroad opportunities, and immigration status for international students.
We understand how much is at stake for young drivers and students.
Common Defenses in
San Diego DUI Cases
A DUI arrest does not prove guilt. Many defenses can challenge the evidence:
Illegal Traffic Stop
If police lacked reasonable suspicion, the case may be dismissed.
Faulty Breath Test
Machines require strict maintenance and calibration; errors make results unreliable.
Blood Test Mistakes
Lab contamination, mishandling, or chain of custody issues weaken the prosecution’s case.
Medical Conditions
Acid reflux, diabetes, or certain diets can cause false positives.
Rising Blood Alcohol
Drivers may have been under the legal limit while driving but over the limit at the time of testing.
Why Choose
San Diego Defense Group?
Local Experience
We have extensive experience practicing in San Diego courts and understand how local judges and prosecutors typically approach DUI cases.
Client-Centered Approach
We give each client the personal attention they need and deserve.
Proven Results
Our attorneys have secured dismissals, reductions, and alternative outcomes for clients facing DUIs.
Trusted Advocates
Together, we bring decades of combined defense experience to every case.
Our Attorneys
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Matthew is an experienced San Diego DUI and criminal defense attorney with more than fifteen years of courtroom practice. He has defended hundreds of clients in both California state courts and federal court, securing dismissals, reduced charges, and trial victories.
From 2011 to 2019, Matt served as a Trial Attorney with Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., where he built a reputation for aggressive advocacy and skilled trial work. In 2019, he opened his own practice in Little Italy focused on DUI defense and federal criminal matters, and he continues to represent clients through the Criminal Justice Act panel.
In addition to his courtroom work, Matt has taught trial skills as an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law. Clients turn to him as a San Diego DUI lawyer who brings experience, tenacity, and proven results to every case.
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Megan is a skilled San Diego DUI and criminal defense attorney with nearly a decade of experience in both state and federal courts. Licensed in California and Colorado, she has defended clients in hundreds of cases, from DUI and misdemeanor charges to serious felonies involving fraud, drug importation, racketeering conspiracies, and murder.
Megan began her career as a Public Defender in Colorado Springs after graduating from the University of Colorado School of Law. She later relocated to San Diego and opened her own practice focused on DUI defense and criminal litigation. She has also handled civil cases in California, adding to her well-rounded courtroom background.
Known for her meticulous preparation and aggressive advocacy, Megan has secured dismissals, reduced charges, and even prevented prosecutions through strong pre-charge representation. She has tried cases to verdict and consistently fights to protect her clients’ rights at every stage of the process.
Beyond her practice, Megan serves as Vice President of the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association and volunteers teaching trial skills and constitutional law to local students. She is admitted in all California and Colorado state courts, as well as the Southern and Central Districts of California.
Clients rely on Megan as a trusted San Diego DUI lawyer and criminal defense attorney who combines experience, strategy, and dedication to achieve the best possible outcome.
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Zachary is a dedicated San Diego DUI and criminal defense attorney with experience in both state and federal courts. A graduate of UC Berkeley and UCLA Law, Zach began his career as a public defender, where he resolved hundreds of DUI cases and represented clients facing serious criminal charges.
Inspired by his father, the founder of the California Innocence Project, Zach developed a lifelong passion for protecting the rights of the accused. His background in civil rights litigation and appellate defense gives him a unique perspective on constitutional protections in DUI and criminal defense cases.
Today, Zach focuses on DUI defense in San Diego, while also litigating federal criminal matters and representing clients through California’s appellate defense panel. Clients rely on him as a San Diego DUI lawyer who combines strategic advocacy with a client-centered approach.
Contact Our Defense Team
DUI charges require a prompt legal response. Securing legal counsel early can be critical to a successful outcome.
Contact us today or fill out the consultation form to schedule a consultation with a San Diego DUI attorney.
