A DUI charge is not a conviction. Attorney Jason Ronis has over 20 years of experience challenging breathalyzer results, blood tests, illegal stops, and field sobriety tests — and winning. Your future is worth fighting for.
⚠️ DUI Arrest? You Have Only 10 Days to Save Your License — Call Now
Every Type of DUI Charge
What Kind of DUI Charge Are You Facing?
Every DUI case is different. Find yours below — then call us. We have successfully defended every type of DUI charge in San Diego.
Misdemeanor
First-Time DUI San Diego
A first DUI in California feels devastating — but it is not the end. With the right attorney, a first-time DUI can often be reduced, dismissed, or resolved through diversion programs that keep your record clean.
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Fines and fees exceeding $10,000
- 4–6 month license suspension
- DUI school (3–9 months)
- 3 years of informal probation
Felony Charge
Felony DUI San Diego
A felony DUI happens when there is a prior DUI within 10 years, a child was in the vehicle, or there was a serious accident. Prison time is on the table. You need an aggressive San Diego felony DUI attorney — now.
- 16 months to 3+ years in state prison
- Strike on your criminal record
- Loss of gun rights and voting rights
- Habitual Traffic Offender designation
- License revocation for up to 4 years
Felony / Wobbler
DUI With Injury San Diego
A DUI that involves an injury to another person is charged as a “wobbler” — it can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity. This is one of the most serious DUI charges in California. Early legal action is critical.
- Up to 3 years in state prison
- Additional years per injured victim
- Civil lawsuits from injured parties
- Restitution payments ordered by court
- Possible vehicular manslaughter charge
Under 21 · Zero Tolerance
Underage DUI San Diego
California has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21 — even a blood alcohol level of 0.01% can result in a DUI charge. An underage DUI can affect college applications, scholarships, military service, and professional licenses before your life has even started.
- Automatic 1-year license suspension
- Zero tolerance — BAC of just 0.01%
- Possible misdemeanor conviction
- DUI school requirement
- College, career, and military impact
Constitutional Issue
DUI Checkpoint Arrest San Diego
Not every DUI checkpoint arrest is legal. California has strict rules about how checkpoints must be set up and operated. If the checkpoint violated proper protocols, the evidence against you may be suppressed — meaning your case could be dismissed.
- Checkpoint location must be publicly pre-announced
- Police must follow a neutral screening formula
- Brief detentions only — no extended stops without cause
- Illegal checkpoints = suppressed evidence
- Case dismissal is possible
DUI of Drugs
DUI of Drugs (DUID) San Diego
You can be charged with DUI in California even if you have not had a single drink — marijuana, prescription medications, and illegal drugs can all lead to a DUID charge. These cases are harder to prove, and an experienced San Diego DUI attorney knows how to fight them.
- Same penalties as alcohol DUI
- Blood or urine test evidence required
- No legal per se limit for most drugs
- Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) testimony challenged
- Prescription drugs included — even if prescribed
Our Defense Strategies
How We Fight — And Win — DUI Cases in San Diego
A DUI arrest is just the beginning. Here is exactly how attorney Jason Ronis breaks down the prosecution’s case and builds yours.
Challenge the Traffic Stop Itself
Before anything else, we ask: did the officer have legal cause to pull you over? If the stop was unlawful — no traffic violation, no reasonable suspicion — everything that follows can be thrown out. This is the first thing we examine in every DUI case.
Attack the Breathalyzer Results
Breathalyzer machines must be properly maintained, calibrated, and operated by a trained officer following strict protocols. We request calibration records, maintenance logs, and the officer's certification history. Machine errors are more common than you think — and they can destroy the prosecution's case.
Challenge Blood Test Accuracy
Blood test results can be affected by improper storage, fermentation, contamination, and chain-of-custody failures. We demand independent retesting of blood samples through a licensed forensic laboratory. In many cases, the retested BAC is significantly lower — or the sample is found to be invalid entirely.
Expose Field Sobriety Test Failures
Field sobriety tests — the walk-and-turn, the one-leg stand, the horizontal gaze nystagmus — are highly subjective and affected by medical conditions, nerves, uneven road surfaces, poor lighting, and footwear. We cross-examine officers on their training and the exact conditions at the scene.
Fight for Diversion and Record Clearance
For many first-time DUI offenders in San Diego, there are alternatives to conviction — including PC 1000 diversion programs that result in full dismissal after completion. We fight for these options aggressively, especially for clients with no prior criminal history.
Negotiate Aggressively Before Trial
Prosecutors in San Diego know Jason Ronis by name — and they know he is ready and willing to go to trial. That reputation earns better offers. When prosecutors know your attorney will fight, they negotiate. When they know your attorney will fold, they do not.
Why San Diego Trusts Jason Ronis for DUI Defense
For over 20 years, Jason Ronis has been one of San Diego's most trusted and respected legal advocates — a skilled, compassionate attorney who genuinely fights for each client's safety, freedom, and future.
University of San Diego School of Law Graduate
J.D. 2003. Licensed by the California State Bar continuously since 2003. Member of the California Bar Association and American Bar Association.
San Diego Superior Court — 20+ Years Inside
Jason knows the judges, the prosecutors, and the tendencies of every courtroom in San Diego County. That local knowledge is a strategic advantage you cannot buy.
Federal Court Experience — U.S. District Court
Handles both state DUI cases and federal charges throughout the Southern District of California. When a case escalates, we are already prepared.
Deep Knowledge of DUI Science
From blood alcohol chemistry to breathalyzer calibration to field sobriety test standards — Jason understands the science behind the evidence and knows exactly how to challenge it.
Real San Diego Clients
People Who Were Exactly Where You Are Right Now
They were scared. They did not know what to do. They called Jason Ronis. Here is what happened.
"I got pulled over at a checkpoint on I-5 and blew a 0.09. I was terrified. Jason answered the phone at 11pm, walked me through everything, and had the charge reduced to a wet reckless. It changed my life. Do not go with anyone else."
David K.
First DUI — DUI Checkpoint, I-5 San Diego · Reduced to Wet Reckless Google Review ★★★★★
"I had a prior DUI from 8 years ago and was charged with a felony DUI after an accident. I thought I was going to prison. Jason fought for me every single step. We got the charge reduced and I stayed out of prison. He is the best DUI attorney in San Diego — period."
Alejandra M.
Felony DUI with Prior · Charge Reduced · No Prison Time Google Review ★★★★★
"I had no idea about the 10-day DMV rule until I called Jason's office. They filed the hearing request that same day and I kept my license. Jason is professional, honest, and genuinely cares. I recommend him to anyone facing a DUI in San Diego."
Marcus T.
First DUI · DMV Hearing Won · License Saved Google Review ★★★★★
What to Expect
Four Steps From Your Call to Your Defense
We make this as simple and stress-free as possible. Here is exactly what happens after you reach out.
Call, Text, or Message — Any Hour
Reach us at (619) 859-2002 any time — midnight, weekend, holiday. A real person will connect you to attorney Jason Ronis, not a voicemail box or an intake form that goes nowhere.
Free, Confidential Case Review
Jason personally reviews the details of your DUI charge — the stop, the tests, the BAC result, any accident, and your history. Everything is protected by attorney-client privilege. No judgment, no pressure.
DMV Hearing Filed Within 10 Days
We immediately contact the DMV Driver Safety Branch to request your APS hearing. This protects your driving privileges while we build your defense. This step alone can save your license.
Aggressive Defense in Court
We challenge the evidence, file motions, negotiate with prosecutors, and — if needed — take your case to trial. Every case is prepared as if it is going in front of a jury. That preparation shows, and it gets results.
Common Questions
DUI Questions San Diego Residents Ask Most
You deserve straight answers. No legal jargon. No runaround. Here is what our clients ask us most — and the honest answers.
Stay calm. Do not answer any questions beyond giving your name. Do not explain yourself. Do not try to talk your way out of it. You have the right to remain silent — use it. Call Jason Ronis Law the moment you can: (619) 859-2002. The 10-day DMV deadline starts from the date of your arrest, so every hour matters.
Yes — in many cases, DUI charges in San Diego can be significantly reduced or dismissed entirely. Common outcomes include: charges dismissed due to an illegal stop or faulty breathalyzer; reduced to “wet reckless” (VC 23103.5), which carries lighter penalties; and diversion programs for first-time offenders that result in no conviction. The outcome depends on the specific facts of your case — which is why the sooner you call us, the better.
A “wet reckless” is a reduced plea under California Vehicle Code 23103.5 — reckless driving involving alcohol. It is significantly better than a DUI conviction: lower fines, shorter DUI school, no mandatory license suspension, and it often does not trigger professional license consequences. It does still count as a “prior” if you get a second DUI within 10 years. Attorney Jason Ronis negotiates for wet reckless reductions in eligible cases.
Possibly yes — and this is one of the most important reasons to fight a DUI rather than just plead guilty. A DUI conviction can affect: CDL drivers (disqualification), nurses and healthcare workers (board investigation), teachers (credential review), real estate agents, security clearance holders, and anyone with an immigration case. If your profession is at risk, call us immediately and tell us — it changes our strategy.
Under California’s implied consent law, refusing a chemical test (breath or blood) after a lawful DUI arrest results in an automatic license suspension — 1 year for a first offense — and this suspension is in addition to any suspension from a DUI conviction. However, a refusal also means the prosecution has no BAC evidence, which can sometimes work in your favor at trial. This is a complex area. Call us and we will walk you through your specific situation.
Your first consultation with Jason Ronis Law is 100% free. Attorney fees for DUI defense vary depending on the complexity of the charge — a first misdemeanor DUI is handled differently than a felony DUI with injury. We offer flexible payment plans because we believe your financial situation should not determine the quality of your defense. During your free consultation we will discuss fees honestly, with no pressure and no surprises.
Yes — without question. A first-time DUI in San Diego can cost over $10,000 in fines and fees alone, result in a suspended license, require months of DUI school, go on your record for 10 years, and affect your job or professional license. An experienced DUI attorney can often get charges reduced, evidence suppressed, or the case dismissed. The cost of hiring an attorney is almost always far less than the cost of a conviction.
Get a free consultation — it takes 30 seconds
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Hours
Monday : Open 24 hrs
Tuesday : Open 24 hrs
Wednesday : Open 24 hrs
Thursday : Open 24 hrs
Friday : Open 24 hrs
Saturday : Open 24 hrs
Sunday : Open 24 hrs
