Driving While Intoxicated is the offense of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. State law controls whether operating includes actual driving of the car or merely sitting in the car and the level of intoxication needed in order to be found in violation of the law. Some statutes refer to driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) that does not require intoxication. DUI and DWI lawyers represent people who have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI and DWI attorneys defend clients at each stage of a DUI or DWI case -- from arrest to an appeal after conviction. A DUI and DWI attorney may challenge aspects of a DUI or DWI arrest or conviction, including breathalyzer and chemical testing procedures.
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the United States of America. As of the 2008 census estimate, Santa Cruz had a total population of 56,124. It is located on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay, about 72 mi (115 km) south of San Francisco. The present-day site of Santa Cruz was the location of a Native American settlement since ancient times. It was also one of the earliest settlements of the Spanish during the exploration of Alta California in the later part of the 1700s, including a California Mission. During the late 1800s, after California became part of the United States, Santa Cruz became widely popular for its idyllic beaches and coastal redwood forests, establishing itself as a resort community. Santa Cruz is now known for its moderate climate, natural beauty, educational institutions, alternative community lifestyles, and socially liberal leanings. It is also home to University of California at Santa Cruz.