Tulia, TX Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

To answer your question, YES, you can get a DUI on private property. Most commercial property owners post signs informing the public that the California Vehicle Code is enforced on their property. Another issue with the detail in your question though, reveals a great defense to a charge of DUI. It is not enough that the police prove you were above a 0.08% BAC when they found you. The District Attorney will have to also prove that you were driving with that BAC level. According to your story, you were not driving when the police arrived. They have to be able to prove your BAC was at or above 0.08% at the time of driving. Unless there are any witnesses to your driving, or you admitted to recent driving just prior to the police arriving, then it will be nearly impossible for the DA to prove you were driving, and thus you should be able to beat the DUI charge.

12.44a means found guilty of a felony but punished as a misdemeanor (so he does jail time and yes, he gets the 2 for 1 credit.) The cases can be used in the future as felony convictions to enhance punishment if he gets charged again.

You should be very concerned about this.  You will likely be charged with burglary of a habitation.  If the victim says the ring was in his home, especially if he says that he knows it was in the house recently, then a jury can infer that you took the ring from the house.  There does not have to evidence of a broken door or window.  A presumption can be drawn that you are the thief/burglar if you are in possession of recently stolen property, which you were by pawning the ring.  You should hire an attorney immediately.