If you’ve been arrested for DUI (driving under the influence) in San Mateo County, you may not know what to do next. Your first step should be to talk to a qualified San Mateo DUI defense attorney as soon as possible. Most people charged with DUIs are not aware of all of their rights, and many assume that there is nothing they can do to help their situation. However, a good DUI attorney will not only represent you in court but also help you understand your rights and the best strategy for the entire process, from beginning to end.
At Bair Legal, we have been helping people with their DUI cases in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1990. As true DUI defense specialists, we can help you better understand your rights and what you can expect throughout the legal process for your case. And, for your convenience, we offer a free consultation in which we’ll be happy to learn as much as possible about your case and give you our expert advice on how to proceed. To schedule your consultation, call us at (510) 343-1400.
In addition to San Mateo, we have also achieved superb legal results for clients in San Francisco, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Jose, Solano County, and Alameda. Here are statements from actual DUI clients who reside in communities around the greater San Francisco Bay Area. You can also read remarks from other DUI professionals.
Many San Mateo DUI defense cases will not legally require you to seek the counsel of an attorney. However, attempting to represent yourself can be a major mistake. Unless you have significant experience with DUI cases and you know all of the ins and outs of fighting a DUI or getting a plea bargain, taking this route is likely to result in receiving the maximum sentence for your charges.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to call on a qualified DUI attorney to help you through the case. They will get all of the information available, evaluate the evidence and how the prosecution will present it, represent you in court, and help you through the process of re-licensing and expungement.
In the state of California, you have to not only appear in court for your arraignment but also request a DMV administrative hearing. Your attorney can help you understand this process and take care of it for you so you don't have to worry about getting your license back once court proceedings are complete.
At Bair Legal, we strive to be the premier experts in DUI defense in California.
Hudson Bair is known throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for his many appearances on local news in which he’s made astute analyses of a number of DUI stories. As an expert in the details and potential faults of chemical testing for BAC (blood alcohol content), Mr. Bair is invaluable in the courtroom.
When it comes to San Mateo DUI defense cases, we have the experience and expertise you need. We will work closely with you so that you understand every step of the process. It all starts with a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone today and call us at (510) 343-1400 to talk with one of the best DUI defense attorneys in California.
I felt compelled to write a testimonial about the superb experience I had dealing with Kapsack and Bair.* I was facing a third DUI offense and was sure I would be doing jail time. I spoke with Mr. Kapsack and after I explained my history and circumstance, he explained how he would defend the case. I was immediately put at ease and understood I was dealing with a true expert and professional. I was initially hesitant at the fee, but as they say, you get what you pay for.
I can honestly say it was worth more than I paid. Mr. Bair ultimately assumed my case and I couldn't have asked for better representation. With each of my inquiries, the entire team was responsive and informative. I will never need this service again, but I would strongly recommend to anyone in this unfortunate situation to go with the best. There simply is no better firm for DUI defense.
Sincerely,
—JJE
Palo Alto, CA
I am writing this to express my sincere thanks to your firm for representing me in my criminal case. Your staff is knowledgable and very efficient at what they do. I was treated with respect and felt like I was a priority at your office. You answered all my questions completely and gave me a sense of ease about my situation. You talked straight and didn't promise anything you could not deliver. The results of my case were beyond my expectations and I would endorse your firm to anyone needing representation. I thank you for keeping my record clean and me out of jail.
Thanks again,
—J. G.
Pleasant Hill, CA
June 2009
I want to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude to you,* Hudson, and the rest of your staff for doing a great job on my case and getting what is truly a favorable outcome for me. While involved in my case, [your associate attorney] and Hudson both performed exceptionally and demonstrated a great deal of professionalism. I appreciate the hard work you all have put into my case, as well as the timeliness in meeting deadlines that is so critical in a case like this.
--B.F.
Dear Mr. Bair,
I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me a few weeks ago about my DUI case. You were the most straight-forward attorney that I had met with. Fortunately, the DA has decided not to prosecute, so I am very happy. But I just wanted to send you a note and thank you for the good and honest advice.
--K.S.
Dear Bruce* and Hudson,
I wanted to write to you to say thank you very much for your services. I was very pleased with the outcome of my DUI Experience. The final outcome of the Wet Reckless was a relief. I will definitely tell others about the good job that was done as well as refer your services whenever possible. Thanks again and good luck in the future.
--M.B
I am writing to express my appreciation for your work on my case. I chose you to represent me because you came across as being a combination of very smart and also a street fighter. I believe that you care about your clients' constitutional rights and take it personally when you see them being violated. Your performance on my case indicates that I made the right decision in selecting you and your firm.
--C.C.
I have been very pleased with my representation from Kapsack and Bair.* Their firm has been very hard working and has kept me informed of all legal steps along the way. I have saved time and gained peace of mind through this relationship.
--A.M.
I was indeed pleased with my results but felt that the fees were high in comparison to other quotes given by other attorneys. [However] bumping down my two arrests to a dry reckless and a wet reckless was well worth the extra money spent....Your services were outstanding.
--T.C.
In the ten years I've done alcohol counseling, your case is certainly the most unique ... just twelve hours and no education? (in reference to one of our clients).
Bill
OCH (Occupational Health Safety)
Dear Mr. Kapsack*,
I am happily traveling through Spain and Europe, in great part thanks to you and I finally get a chance to write and thank you for you and your partner handling my DUI case. Almost immediately you put my mind at ease. Mr. Bair gave me the best news I could have hoped for. The DA was not prosecuting. I was completely free of all charges. I could not believe it.
Thanks to you I am able to make my yearlong trek. Well ... after a month of traveling, I finally get the chance to properly thank you and Mr. Bair. Without you, I am pretty sure I would still be at home dealing with my case. As it is, my biggest concern now is how to say "good morning" in a couple of languages. So thanks, again, very much and all the best to you and your firm
--R.C.
Thanks asgain for your help in my case...I had a great experience and I will be sure to recommend your services.
--M.S.L.
Dear Mr. Bair,
Thank you so much in providing the level of expertise in developing the facts on my behalf. Mr. Kapsack's* skills in resolving this matter with the Alameda County DA showcase the work of a Maven. Thanks again.
I was arrested for my first DUI after a roll over accident in San Mateo County. I hired a local attorney to handle both the court and the Department of Motor Vehicle action for a bargain fee. No motions were filed and it appeared no work was going to be done on the case. While that matter was still pending, I was arrested for a second DUI where the blood technician stuck me with a needle over 4 times in an effort to obtain my blood.
Because the technician was inept, no blood could be drawn and the case was labeled a "refusal." My current attorney told me the best thing to do would be to plead to both cases and hope for the best. Since I was looking at a first and second offense DUI and a refusal to boot, I was in need of superior help.
I contacted Kapsack & Bair LLP., and met with Bruce Kapsack*. Not only did he find problems with the second case, he showed me where the first attorney missed defenses to the original DUI. I decided to hire Kapsack & Bair, LLP., to handle all my matters.
It took almost two years, but they came through with flying colors. I was able to win both DMV hearings to keep my license. They beat one DUI entirely, and had the other reduced to a non DUI offense. In short, instead of losing my license for two years, going to jail for thirty days and paying huge fines, I paid a small fine and attended traffic school.
One last point, despite the length of time my cases took, and the fact that appeals were included along with numerous motions and appearances, Kapsack & Bair, LLP never once asked for any money above that to which we originally agreed. It was clear that they were fighting for me the entire time.
I can not say enough about their services.
--P.R.
First of all, I would like to say thank you for today's outcome. I appreciate your effort. I will recommend your firm to anyone who gets DUI.
--D.K.
I was charged with a DUI and other embarassing charges, conviction of which would have ruined my life. Kapsack & Bair* was able to have those charges dismissed and to successfully defend my license at the DMV administrative per se hearing. I cannot put a price tag on what their work was worth to me.
Hudson, as I told you on the phone, I appreciated the compassion you showed during a situation that was very painful and humiliating to me.
--A.M.
Thank you for your help with my case. I am very pleased with the outcome.
--J.O.
I want to thank Kapsack and Bair* for their help in representing me. With a blood alcohol of .19 and driving a car with two flat tires, every attorney I spoke to said my case was hopeless. Not only did Kapsack and Bair prevail at the department of Motor Vehicles, allowing me to keep my license, but they were able to get my court case entirely dismissed.
--D.F.
I'm writing to thank you for your excellent work regarding my recent infraction. When the court bungled my initial arraignment and dismissed my case, I thought I was lucky. When they realized their mistake and scheduled me for a second arraignment, I thought I had a defendable case but I knew I needed the right attorney.
Frankly, not all attorneys have the guts to make constitutional arguments for a traffic case. Not only did you present both "double jeopardy" and "speedy trial" arguments, but you maneuvered the commissioner into a logical corner where he had to agree on the latter point. Case dismissed!
Thanks!!
--Tor.
I just wanted to thank you for an outstanding job handling my (2nd) case. To know that I can rely on a professional law firm to deal with the legal justice system on my behalf is comforting. Thanks again for all your hard work.
--G.M.
I thank you so much for the work you put into my case. . . It will be a lot easier for me with my license. I will recommend your service to others.
--E.R.
... What I liked most about your defense, is that you respected my choice of a jury trial versus negotiating options with the prosecutor. That is what I see as being a true client advocate and giving it your best shot, win or lose ...
... I would gladly use, and endorse your services to anyone. Your victory and successful defense of my DUI case was most memorable and spectacular ...
--A.F.
Dear Hudson:
In 1998, after receiving my second DUI within a seven year period, I contacted several attorneys for free legal advise and had been told by every one of them that my best, and sometimes only, option would be to plead guilty and hope for a lenient sentence. When I received your letter I tossed it aside, along with many others. I felt like I had already been tried and convicted by everyone. My husband, on the other hand, became obsessed with proving me wrong and proceeded to contact your firm. And that was when I found my first ray of hope! You were the only attorney I spoke with that believed in my predicament and me. I cannot tell you enough how your firm's persistence, patience, confidence and hard work saved my life. I truly believe that I could not have lived with a second conviction. Even when the judge of this small backwater town threatened to throw the book at me if I didn't accept his "very generous" plea bargain, you conveyed to me the ability and confidence to find a way to have the jury return with a "not guilty" verdict on both counts. That was one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever had to make, but I am so grateful that I believed in you as much as you did in my case and me. You were absolutely brilliant in court!!
Sincerely,
--S.C.
Kapsack & Bair,*
I must say that I was glad that I engaged you to assist me in this most traumatic experience. Your knowledge of the system was invaluable to me and allowed me to avoid the mistakes, which I would unquestionably have made, had I attempted to navigate the system unadvised. I shudder to think what that might have cost in emotional and economic terms.
--M.S.M., Doctor
If you’re not yet sure whether or not you need an attorney for your case, we strongly encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our qualified DUI attorneys. When you meet with us for your consultation, we will get all of the available information on your case by listening to you and asking a few key questions.
With this information, we will use our experience and expertise to advise you on whether or not to fight the charges or seek a plea bargain. We will discuss our recommendations for how to proceed, and then you can choose whether or not you would like to continue with Bair Legal as your legal representation for your San Mateo DUI defense case. Our consultations are obligation-free, and we offer them as a convenience for you to help you better understand your case and the best way to proceed.
San Mateo DUI defense cases are heard at the San Mateo Superior Court at:
400 County Center
4th Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-261-5200
Courthouse hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and office hours are 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For help with your San Mateo DUI defense case, call us at Bair Legal today at (408) 275-9610 to schedule your free consultation.