Kern County DUI Arrests

About DUI Arrests in Bakersfield

The DUI Process in Kern County, CA

There are steps associated with most DUI arrests and criminal charges in the Kern County area. Understanding these and contacting a Bakersfield DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest can help ensure the protection of your legal rights and interests when you need it most.

Commonly, when someone is arrested for a DUI in Kern County, they go through the following:

  • A police officer observes or receives a tip of a driver who is driving erratically (swerving in and out of a lane, violating traffic laws, driving too slowly, etc.)
  • The officer turns on the siren and pulls the driver over to the side of the road, where he or she asks for the driver's license and registration.
  • At this time, the officer will also observe the driver for outward signs of intoxication (slurred speech, the smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, etc.). The officer may ask the driver if he or she has been drinking or where he or she was going.
  • Depending on the officer's observations of the driver, he or she may ask the driver to step out of the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests.
  • Field sobriety tests are administered to determine whether a driver's abilities are impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  • Depending on the results of the field sobriety tests, statements the driver may have made, and the officer's observations of the driver, the officer may make an arrest for DUI at this point.
  • After the driver is arrested for DUI in Kern County, he or she will be taken to the police station where law enforcement will request that he or she take a breath or blood test to determine his or her blood alcohol concentration.

The evidence obtained in a Kern County DUI arrest will typically provide the primary foundation for the state's case against you. Make sure you have a skilled DUI lawyer to counter this evidence and testimony by the arresting officer at every stage of your case.


Contact our skilled DUI attorney by calling (661) 874-1325 or filling out our online form today. 


Why Choose Middlebrook & Associates?

  • 38 Years of Collective Legal Experience
  • Over 250 DUI Trials Handled - With a 97.4% Success Rate
  • Handled More Than 8,500 DMV Hearings in Kern County
  • Expert Member of California DUI Lawyers Association
  • ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer - Scientist Designation
  • AV Rated by martindale.com - Leading Authority on Attorney Ratings
  • Teaches Lawyers & Scientists - DUIDLA, American Academy of Forensic Science & American Chemical Society
  • Founding & Board Member - DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)
  • Top 100 Lawyers in America - DUI Defense

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Client Testimonials Hear from Real People Who We've Helped
  • “Richard provided very knowledgeable advice and counsel, and, in fact, every court action played out exactly as he anticipated.”
    Of course he knew the law and the precedents, but more importantly he knows the court, the judges and commissioners, and the other attorneys involved. His greatest value was in knowing how this particular court (Kern County Superior Court - family law division) works, the main players involved, and anticipating each player's actions and responses. No one can tell you for sure what will happen in court, but Richard provided very knowledgeable advice and counsel, and, in fact, every court action played out exactly as he anticipated. He was a little more expensive (in terms of hourly rate) than the other attorneys I interviewed, but he was worth it because he got me exactly what I wanted.
    - Katie T.
  • “We are very grateful to Mr. Middlebrook for his extremely professional handling of our daughter’s case”
    By way of background, I am a civil trial lawyer who practices law in another state. In 2020, after a questionable traffic stop, my daughter was arrested for DUI. Our family engaged Mr. Middlebrook to assist her. After he reviewed the evidence, Mr. Middlebrook identified the weaknesses in the State’s case and formulated a trial strategy to include the retention of an appropriate expert witness. While waiting for trial, Mr. Middlebrook prevailed in the administrative proceeding allowing my daughter to retain her driver’s license pending trial. After plea negotiations fell through, we went to trial on the criminal case. I have over 35 years of experience in a courtroom and have tried dozens of cases to verdict. On the first day of trial, I could tell that Mr. Middlebrook had the respect of the trial judge and the prosecutor. He developed an excellent rapport with the jury. In his examination of the expert witnesses for each side, Mr. Middlebrook demonstrated a deep understanding of the science related to DUI cases. His cross-examination of the arresting officer was respectful while making the officer appear to be, at best, incompetent in his handling of the stop and administration of the breathalyzer test. The jury acquitted my daughter on one charge and deadlocked on the other. An acceptable plea agreement on the remaining charge was thereafter reached allowing for all charges to eventually be dismissed and expunged from her record. We are very grateful to Mr. Middlebrook for his extremely professional handling of our daughter’s case, and I highly recommend him.
    - Ken I.
  • “This Attorney is amazing at what he does, and i would refer anyone i knew in trouble to his law office.”
    After doing research on the internet trying to find an Attorney because my boyfriend was innocent, Mr. Middlebrook came up repeatedly. We got in right away to his office, and after meeting with him, had an overwhelming feeling of relief. He is very respectful, makes you feel like a person, not a criminal, and most importantly is very knowledgeable and reassures you that everything will be ok. We got the best outcome we didn't even think was possible. This Attorney is amazing at what he does, and i would refer anyone i knew in trouble to his law office.
    - Name Withheld
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    First, I want to tell you how TRULY thankful I am to you for everything that you did for me. You went above and beyond my wildest expectations and I have nothing but the most immense respect and admiration of your abilities. I know you went the extra mile for me, but I have no doubt that you are just as wonderful and passionate with all of your clients. You deserve all of the success you have Rick. It takes a very special and gifted person to juggle what you do and have all of your achievements to prove it! I wish I could appropriately express my most sincere gratitude for how well you took care of me. THANK YOU RICHARD!!
    - Jennifer M.