We represent good people who find themselves, on occasion, on the wrong side of the law. We have extensive trial experience and are proven litigators. We have handled every type of criminal case from A to Z.
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Step 1: The ArrestDon’t let the police take advantage of you while you’re in custody. Call Walsh Law right away, and we’ll get to work protecting your rights so you don’t inadvertently self-incriminate. -
Step 2: The ArraignmentWalsh Law is an aggressive Folsom criminal defense firm that can argue for reasonable bail and help you await the end of your case from the comfort of your home.
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Step 3: Pre-Trial HearingsWe’ll evaluate the prosecution’s case, challenge weak evidence and inconsistencies, and do our due diligence to get the charges against you reduced or dropped.
Rancho Cordova DUI Attorney
Trial-Tested DUI Defense When You Need It Most
A DUI arrest can turn your life upside down in a single night. You may be worried about going to jail, losing your driver’s license, and how this will affect your job and your family. You also have only a short time to make decisions that could shape your future.
At Walsh Law, we focus exclusively on criminal defense, including DUI and drunk driving charges for people cited or arrested in this area. Our firm is led by Chris Walsh, a former Chief Assistant District Attorney and homicide prosecutor with more than 19 years of criminal law experience and over 100 jury trials.
We represent good people who find themselves, on occasion, on the wrong side of the law. If you were arrested for impaired driving in or around Rancho Cordova, we are ready to step in, review what happened, and guide you through both the court and DMV process.
Contact our firm today at (916) 610-3558 to schedule a free case review.
Values You Can Relate To
Our Client Testimonials
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“I am always able to get ahold of him directly either by cell or text including after hours and if for some reason he isn’t immediately available, he responds as soon as he can.”- Melissa C.
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“He was compassionate and explained to me what to expect in an easy way for me to understand. He was straightforward and delivered on what he said he could do for me!”- Claudia H.
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“I was in a bit of a situation and public defenders weren’t doing anything to help my case as if they didn’t have time. Which they don’t, but Chris Walsh did and came up with a few methods to fight my case.”- Dewan P.
California DUI Laws
California’s DUI laws are among the strictest in the nation, and 2026 updates have made the penalties even more rigid. Most DUI arrests involve two separate "counts" under the California Vehicle Code:
- VC 23152(a): Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the point that your physical or mental abilities are impaired.
- VC 23152(b): Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
The 10-Day Rule
From the moment you are arrested in Rancho Cordova, the clock is ticking. You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing with the California DMV. If you fail to do this, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended. Our firm handles this request immediately for our clients to preserve their right to drive while the case is pending.
Recent Penalty Updates
As of 2026, California has expanded the mandatory use of Ignition Interlock Devices (IID). Even first-time offenders may be required to install these breathalyzers to maintain driving privileges. Additionally, new legislation has increased probation terms for certain alcohol-related offenses to a range of 3 to 5 years.
Common Types of DUI Charges
Not every DUI is a simple misdemeanor. Depending on your history and the circumstances of your arrest by the Rancho Cordova Police Department or CHP, you may face:
- First-Time DUI: Usually a misdemeanor, but carries significant fines, mandatory DUI school, and potential jail time.
- Repeat Offenses: Penalties escalate sharply for a second or third DUI within a 10-year "look-back" period, including mandatory jail stays and longer IID requirements.
- DUI with Injuries (VC 23153): If an accident occurred and someone else was hurt, the charge can be elevated to a "wobbler," meaning it can be prosecuted as a felony.
- Drug DUI (DUID): This includes impairment by illegal drugs, prescription medication, or even legal marijuana.
- Under-21 DUI: California’s "Zero Tolerance" policy means drivers under 21 can face a license suspension for a BAC as low as 0.01%.
Legal Defenses to DUI Charges
Many people assume that if a breathalyzer showed a 0.08% BAC, they are automatically guilty. This is a misconception. There are numerous ways a skilled Rancho Cordova DUI defense attorney can challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
Challenging the Traffic Stop
The Fourth Amendment protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures. If the officer did not have "reasonable suspicion" to pull you over (e.g., you weren't actually swerving or speeding), all evidence gathered after the stop—including your BAC results—may be suppressed and the case dismissed.
To talk directly with our team, call (916) 610-3558.
Meet Our Team
We know it’s easy to get swept up with emotions and confusion in the aftermath of being charged with a crime. That’s why our Folsom criminal defense attorneys aim to shoulder as much of the burden as we can, providing reassurance plus honest insight and advice where you need it.
Why Walsh Law?
Walsh Law’s mission is to be the gold standard of criminal defense by providing superior legal advocacy in the face of potentially life-changing consequences.
Chris Walsh is a former prosecutor, so we know what you’re up against when you face
criminal charges. Now, clients like you get to benefit from what we’ve learned in
our careers and how we apply what we know to get the results you’re after.
