3. Will it help that I've never been arrested?
Sort of. The best Santa Rosa DUI lawyers will explain to you that your lack of a prior Sonoma County criminal record is usually not a sole basis to dismiss a current DUI case in Sonoma County, or even to get a better plea deal.
But of course, it is far better to have an absolutely clean record, because those people with a prior criminal record, especially those with prior DUI convictions, are typically exposed to substantially or exponentially increased penalties with a new DUI arrest (like steep jail sentences often with no jail alternatives offered, much longer license suspensions, much longer DUI classes, and longer probation and breathalyzer periods), depending on the number, nature, and recency of their prior convictions, whereas someone with no prior arrests and no aggravating factors would be facing the very least possible consequences.
In rare cases, where the Santa Rosa District Attorney's office is wavering on a dismissal or an especially terrific plea deal, a defendant's clean prior criminal record, perhaps coupled with extraordinary hardship if convicted, and significant community or charitable history, etc, timely and properly presented by a defense attorney may encourage a more desirable result.
Sonoma DUI attorneys know that the most helpful non-legal factors in obtaining a better resolution of a Sonoma County DUI case in court tend to be good driving before you were stopped, very low alcohol test results, and cooperation with the police. But the best way to reduce or dismiss charges is for a good Santa Rosa DUI defense lawyer to argue legal weaknesses in the District Attorney's case against you. For examples of legitimate legal weaknesses which may be argued, click on our Sonoma County DUI Lawyer Ten Tips for Fighting a DUI Arrest. Consult with a Sonoma County DUI attorney about your specific case.