DUI Lawyer in Fresno
Evidence-Focused Defense for DUI Charges in Fresno County
If you were arrested after a breath test, blood test, or standardized field sobriety test, the charge may still be challenged. You can use our Contact page to reach Sawl Law Group, Inc. and speak with our Fresno DUI attorney. We investigate the stop, testing procedures, officer observations, arrest records, and other available evidence before developing a personalized legal strategy.
Breath and blood results aren’t evaluated in isolation. Equipment records, testing procedures, sample collection, laboratory handling, timing, residual mouth alcohol, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and dental work may be relevant depending on the evidence. These factors don’t automatically invalidate a result, but our DUI defense attorney can determine whether they support a challenge to the prosecution’s case.
A DUI arrest can start two separate proceedings: a criminal case and a California DMV administrative action involving your driving privilege. The DMV states that a request for an administrative hearing may need to be made within 10 days of the arrest or suspension order. Addressing a court date doesn’t replace attention to that separate deadline.
Our firm brings more than 40 years of combined legal experience to criminal defense matters. We gather evidence, anticipate the prosecution’s next move, negotiate when appropriate, and prepare each case around the client’s circumstances. Our phone is answered 24/7, and Attorney Martin Taleisnik speaks Spanish.
Have you been arrested for a DUI? Call Sawl Law Group, Inc. today at (559) 205-7757 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Fresno DUI attorney.
DUI Police Report Errors & Traffic-Stop Evidence
An arresting officer may rely on driving behavior, speech, balance, eye appearance, odor, and responses to instructions. Did the officer take enough time to assess what happened, and does the report match available video, witness accounts, dispatch records, and the timing of events? Our review tests the written account against the complete evidence rather than assuming every observation proves impairment.
Anxiety and nervousness can affect speech, balance, and the ability to follow directions. Allergies may cause red or watery eyes, while diabetes, neurological disorders, fatigue, physical limitations, and environmental conditions may affect how a person appears during an investigation. Their relevance depends on medical information, video, test administration, and the other facts of the case.
A driving mistake also doesn’t necessarily establish that someone was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Reasonable suspicion means an officer needs a legally sufficient, fact-specific basis for a traffic stop, although different rules apply at lawful DUI checkpoints. We examine the stated reason for the stop, the detention, the officer’s observations, the arrest decision, and how evidence was collected.
A police-report error or medical explanation doesn’t guarantee dismissal or reduction. It can, however, affect the weight or admissibility of evidence when supported by the record. Our Fresno DUI defense lawyer develops arguments from the facts that can be documented and presented in court.
Drug DUI Charges in Fresno
Driving under the influence of drugs, sometimes called DUID, presents different evidentiary questions from an alcohol-based charge. Law enforcement may rely on driving behavior, officer observations, field sobriety testing, toxicology results, and an evaluation by a Drug Recognition Expert, an officer trained to document signs associated with categories of drugs.
Drug-only cases don’t use the same 0.08 percent per se framework that applies to adult alcohol DUI allegations. The presence of a drug in a biological sample and proof that the drug impaired someone while driving are separate issues. Timing, dosage information, lawful prescriptions, laboratory procedures, the officer’s conclusions, and surrounding behavior may all require case-specific analysis.
We examine whether law enforcement followed applicable procedures and whether the conclusions in the report are supported by the testing and other evidence. From there, we build a strategy tailored to the specific substance alleged, the circumstances of the stop, and the prosecution’s evidence.
Juvenile & Underage DUI Charges
California applies additional alcohol-related rules to drivers under 21, including zero-tolerance provisions involving very low blood alcohol concentration results. Depending on the driver’s age and the allegations, a case may involve criminal proceedings, juvenile proceedings, or a separate California DMV action. License consequences can also differ from those imposed on drivers who are 21 or older.
The California DMV states that under its Zero Tolerance Law, a driver under 21 who drives with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or higher may face a one-year license suspension, separate from any criminal conviction. The potential consequences should be evaluated using the driver’s age, test result, prior record, stop, arrest, and testing evidence rather than a one-size-fits-all assumption.
At Sawl Law Group, Inc., we understand that a charge may raise concerns about driving, education, employment, and a young person’s record. We provide personalized legal strategies focused on protecting the client’s rights throughout the legal process and helping the family understand each available decision.
Clients Trust Us
Award-Winning Reputation with
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"I highly recommend Martin Taleisnik to anyone needing legal representation and would seek him out again, if needed."
Our Experience with the Sawl Law Group was only positive. My adult son was in serious trouble and refused to follow our extended family’s advice on how to plea, so as to enable him to get the help we thought he needed. Martin Taleisnik represented us and went above and beyond his call-to-duty on repeatedly meeting with our son and trying to talk sense into him. Because of his familiarity with the D.A.’s and judges, he was able to counsel us as to what to expect and whom to avoid, if possible.
All we were concerned about was that my son would get a fair hearing and not be swept aside by the court process. During one court appearance, Mr. Taleisnik was in the judge’s chambers for over 20 minutes, presenting the mitigating factors in my son’s case. At the sentencing hearing, Mr. Taleisnik gave an impassioned speech to the judge which persuaded the judge to give my son probation. During that speech, a female sitting behind us in court tapped us on the shoulder and told us that she was impressed by our attorney.
Regarding the fee. We were quoted a reasonable global fee that would cover anything that would transpire, short of a trial. My son’s case was continued almost monthly for 6 months, due to his co-defendant and other court procedures. Mr. Taleisnik was always there, on time, and would speak to us afterward in the hall, at length, about what the proceedings meant and what the next step was.
I highly recommend Martin Taleisnik to anyone needing legal representation and would seek him out again, if needed.
- Chanah C. -
"The Sawl Law Group really, really did an outstanding job for me. They were very invested in my interest to pursue a dismissal for some things I did as a young man."
The Sawl Law Group really, really did an outstanding job for me. They were very invested in my interest to pursue a dismissal for some things I did as a young man. We won the dismissal and my attorney Michelle did a great job and was really caring about my situation. I definitely recommend this group to anyone seeking legal representation!
- Rodney M. -
"Corina is always responsive and makes you feel like a friend."Corina Burchfield walked me step by step through the whole process she is very professional definitely recommend her. She is always responsive and makes you feel like a friend.- Google Review - Brianna M.
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"They made what was a bad situation into a calm and comforting one."
Sawl Law Group was great experience. They made what was a bad situation into a calm and comforting one. I would recommend them to anyone.
- Everardo G. -
"I would highly recommend the Sawl Law group to family and friends if they were ever in need of their services."
Just wanted to thank the Sawl Law group for a job well done. Corina did a great job and was very helpful. Corina explained the procedure in great detail. She always kept me well informed and always made herself available to me via phone, email and in person. I would highly recommend the Sawl Law group to family and friends if they were ever in need of their services.
Thanks again for all your help and hard work!
- Google Reviews – Juan G. -
"They were able to lower my DUI to a much lesser charge of “Wet Reckless” saving me thousands of dollars, and time. So thank you Sawl Law Group, Claudia, and Michelle."
I just wanted to say a few things about Sawl Law Group. I had never needed to hire an attorney before, so I didn’t know what I was doing, or what to expect. When i had just been charged with a DUI; I had a pile of law offices to choose from. The first one that stood out was Sawl Law Group. They were very professional, and welcoming. Claudia made a long drive, just to meet with me face to face, and have a short conversation about my case, and my options. She made me feel confident that I could do much better than I had hoped. Claudia paired me up with Michelle, the attorney that would then, represent me. She took care of all my court dates (after signing a document of course) which was especially helpful with my crazy work schedule. Not only that, but they were able to lower my DUI to a much lesser charge of “Wet Reckless” saving me thousands of dollars, and time. So thank you Sawl Law Group, Claudia, and Michelle. And to anyone else who finds themselves in a bind; I definitely recommend starting here!
- Justin R. -
"Right away you can see this is a very professional firm. They did everything they said they would, including working things out so I did not have to appear in court."
This was the first time I had needed to hire an attorney. I met with 7 different lawyers before I decided. Right away you can see this is a very professional firm. They did everything they said they would, including working things out so I did not have to appear in court. I am very pleased with the service and the way the case was handled. I would and do recommend them to my friends.
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"Previous lawyers did not meet my expectations with their professionalism, concern or attentiveness. Sawl Law Group was very welcoming and understanding."
This was the first time I had ever been involved in any situation like this. I had spoken with a few lawyers before heading to Sawl Law Group. The previous lawyers did not meet my expectations with their professionalism, concern or attentiveness. Sawl Law Group was very welcoming and understanding.
They took immediate ownership of the problem at hand. This problem had wrecked havoc on my life by draining my time and my finances. Sawl Law Group was affordable and handled the case so I wasn’t required to miss work and physically be present. I would highly recommend Sawl Law Group to friends, family and anyone who needs a tough lawyer to receive justice.
- Rebekah A.