DUI Charges

If you have been arrested for a DUI in California, you should know there are two parts of the process. First, is a DMV hearing. When you were arrested, the officer probably took your license and gave you a pink sheet. You only have ten days, from the date of your arrest to set your DMV hearing. When you hire a criminal defense attorney, the attorney will set the hearing for you. After that process begins you will get the police reports within about two weeks and then the DMV hearing will be set out about two more weeks after that.

You must understand that the DMV process is totally separate and distinct from the criminal case. Obviously, from the time you were arrested you will get a court date; in San Diego, approximately one month out from your arrest in which you have to appear in court. If you have a private retained attorney, you do not have to appear in court for your arraignment or any part of the DUI criminal case. The penalties for a DUI in California can be severe; they can include possible jail time of up to six months or longer, thousands of dollars in fines, an alcohol class that can be for up to nine months for a first time DUI and also a mother's against drunk driving class, and up to five years of probation. Call today if you have been arrested for a DUI.