Riverside DUI Attorney

Two Decades of Fighting for Drivers in Riverside

A DUI or DWI charge can threaten everything you’ve built: your driving privileges, your job, and your reputation. As your Riverside DUI defense attorney at The Law Offices of Gregory H. Comings, APC, I take these cases personally. From the moment you’re pulled over, police and prosecutors begin building a case against you. My job is to dismantle it, piece by piece.

Every DUI case has a story. Sometimes it’s a single mistake, sometimes it’s a flawed test, and sometimes it’s an overreach by law enforcement. I listen to your side and use the law to fight back. Whether you’re dealing with a roadside stop in Riverside County or a case already in court, I’ll be there to handle every step of the legal process.

Types of DUI Cases I Handle

I handle a full range of DUI cases, from misdemeanor to felony charges, and I understand how each type demands a different defense strategy.

• First offense DUI/DWI
• Repeat offense DUI/DWI
• Felony DUI/DWI
• Underage DUI/DWI
• Commercial driver DUI/DWI

Each defense I take on begins with a simple idea: no case is hopeless. Whether your blood alcohol content test came back high or you refused a chemical test, there are always options, and I make sure we use every one of them.

Your Rights at a DUI Police Stop in Riverside, CA

A DUI stop is more than flashing lights and fast questions; it’s a legal process unfolding in real time. What happens in those few minutes often decides how much room you’ll have to fight later. Knowing your rights at that moment helps your criminal defense attorney dismantle the prosecution’s version of events from the ground up.

You Can Refuse a Breath or Blood Test

You have the right to refuse these tests, but the decision comes with consequences. Under California DUI laws, refusal usually triggers an automatic suspension unless officers mishandled the warning or skipped required procedures. I’ll look closely at what actually happened during that exchange:

• Did the officer clearly explain the penalties for refusal?
• Was the testing device certified and handled by a qualified operator?
• Were you coerced, confused, or denied the chance to comply properly?

If the answer to any of these is yes, that moment becomes a key defense point.

You Have the Right to Stay Silent

Say as little as possible, and stay calm. You are required to provide identification, but you are not required to discuss where you were, what you drank, or how much. A simple “I’d like to speak with my attorney” ends the conversation without hostility and protects you from self-incrimination.

You Can Speak to a DUI Lawyer

Once you ask for legal representation, all questioning must stop. The sooner you call, the more evidence we can secure (dash-cam video, test results, and witness information) before it’s lost or rewritten. Early communication with a Riverside DUI attorney can change how the entire case unfolds.

What Happens Next: How to Act After a DUI Stop

After a DUI arrest, every decision matters. Here’s what you should do immediately to protect your rights and prepare your defense:

• Request your DMV hearing within 10 days to prevent automatic license suspension.
• Contact your DUI attorney immediately to review the stop, chemical tests, and police reports.
• Preserve evidence such as dash-cam footage, witness information, and any receipts or logs that can support your case.
• Avoid discussing the case with anyone besides your lawyer, including social media or friends who might unintentionally share damaging information.
• Follow court deadlines and requirements exactly to prevent additional penalties or complications.

Taking these steps quickly ensures your defense starts strong and gives your Riverside DUI lawyer the best chance to protect your license, record, and future.

Penalties for a DUI in California

California law treats DUI convictions with zero leniency, and penalties increase with each prior offense. Still, every sentence is negotiable when the defense is built right.

• First offense DUI: Up to six months in county jail, fines, probation, and mandatory DUI classes.
• Second offense DUI: Higher fines, longer suspension, ignition interlock installation, and repeat-offender penalties.
• Third offense DUI: Extended license loss, long-term programs, and potential state prison exposure.
• Felony DUI: Involving injury or multiple priors; years in prison and a felony conviction that can affect employment, licensing, and background checks.

As an experienced Riverside DUI lawyer, I work to reduce penalties, argue for alternative sentencing, or expose flaws that can collapse the prosecution’s case altogether.

How I Build a Strong DUI Defense for You

A solid DUI defense isn’t built from slogans; it’s built from investigation. Every detail of your case becomes leverage, including the stop, the statements, the equipment, and the officer’s timing. Here’s how I approach it:

• Deconstruct the stop: Was there a valid cause to pull you over?
• Review every test: From calibration logs to lab handling, precision matters.
• Compare reports with footage: When the story changes, credibility breaks.
• Challenge assumptions: A high BAC reading isn’t proof of guilt if the method is flawed.
• Pressure early: I don’t wait for a trial to start the fight; I begin with motions, hearings, and negotiations that reshape the case before it’s fully built.

I calculate every defense to shift momentum and keep it in your favor.