| 1. Take The Situation Seriously Is You Want to | | | | penalty).-California Specific, other states may be |
| Attempt to Avoid Jail | | | | different. |
| People don't realize that a 2nd or 3rd DUI offense can | | | | 6. Show Up for Work Alternative or Home |
| easily lead to significant jail time (NOT work alternative) | | | | Confinement Appointments |
| ... i.e. 120 days MINIMUM on a 3rd offense, or getting | | | | One of the worst things feelings I get is when I hear |
| another DUI while the 1st is still pending. Or simply not | | | | about people who do not show up to their |
| realizing that a DUI can also be attained without any | | | | appointments or deadlines with work alternative/home |
| alcohol in the system-just by driving under the influence | | | | confinement. I've received many calls regarding this |
| of their medical prescriptions. Even 1st offenses can | | | | over the years, mainly from non-clients, but |
| lead to jail time. This isn't even counting accident cases. | | | | occasionally from clients, who ignore, or forget the |
| -California specific, other states may be different. | | | | date or time. If you don't keep these appointments or |
| 2. Follor Your DUI Attorney's Advice (if represented) | | | | comply with court deadlines, you will be ordered to |
| As a criminal defense attorney that practices in | | | | spend time in jail. *ALSO, a side note, don't show up |
| Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties in California, I've | | | | with alcohol or drugs in your system (even from the |
| missed out on so many good deals, and even | | | | night before)!!! |
| dismissals, because a client, (even after they have paid | | | | 7. Pay Your Fine On Time (or Early) Don't Wait for a |
| their attorney's fees), did not follow my advice or | | | | Bill |
| another attorney's advice - so do it, that's why you are | | | | Most times the court does NOT send you a bill; it is |
| paying them (even if a public defender - you are | | | | your responsibility to remember to pay on time |
| paying them many times anyway). | | | | according to their instructions (that is, you must pay the |
| 3. Make Your Court Appearance & Make It On | | | | minimum amounts on time, write the correct case # on |
| Time | | | | check/money orders, etc.). There's nothing worse than |
| If you don't have a good DUI attorney on your side, | | | | getting pulled over for a basic speeding ticket and |
| you must show up at your court appearances on time, | | | | ending up in jail on an old case just because you didn't |
| or if your attorney tells you to be present in court you | | | | pay the fine.-California specific, other states may be |
| must do so. I regularly get paid extra money to help | | | | different. |
| people in difficult situations because they ignore their | | | | 8. Following All Special Court Orders |
| case and let it go to warrant before getting an | | | | Sometimes attorneys can get better deals for their |
| attorney. If you don't show up to court and you were | | | | clients in exchange for unusual plea bargains and |
| released without bail the judge may order bail. Even | | | | orders. If you don't follow the agreement, it could lead |
| worse, the judge may increase bail if you were | | | | to more fines and/or jail time (i.e. writing a 500 word |
| released on bail (recently on a simple 1st offense DUI a | | | | essay, or a certain number of AA meetings for certain |
| judge ordered $25,000 bond, which meant that the | | | | types of DUI cases). |
| person had to pay a bail bondsman $2,500 that they | | | | 9. Keep a Current SR-22 on File with the DMV (if |
| never get back, just to avoid having to turn | | | | required) |
| themselves into jail to -this isn't a joke - make you 1st | | | | Many times you won't even get a clear notice from |
| Court Appearance on time and all those after as well). | | | | the DMV or court if you do not have a current SR-22 |
| 4. Return Your Attorney's Calls (if represented) | | | | on file. Check with the DMV and make sure it is |
| I can't tell you of the number of great deals that I have | | | | current - but if you have a qualified attorney, ask them |
| lost because the client either took too long, or never | | | | specifically how you should handle the SR-22 first. If it |
| got back to either me or my staff, (some moved | | | | is not current then your license will be suspended |
| without giving us new phone numbers, or addresses). | | | | (many people have suspended licenses and don't even |
| You must keep your attorney informed about new | | | | know it), and you will face other consequences. - |
| addresses and phone numbers and respond to their | | | | California specific, other states may be different. |
| phone calls. | | | | 10. Get Your License Back Before Driving Again |
| 5. Sign Up for the the Proper DUI Class Within the | | | | I get many calls each month regarding people (not my |
| Required Time Ordered by the Court. | | | | clients) driving on a suspended license after their |
| This is a big one. Technically if you have to go back to | | | | temporary license expires. It usually leads to harsh |
| court to get a new referral, when you are standing in | | | | penalties, for example, the vehicle you are driving |
| front of the judge trying to explain, the court can, and | | | | (even if you are not the owner) could be, and usually is, |
| sometimes will, impose a 30-day jail penalty. Even if | | | | impounded for 30 days. The cost of the impound is |
| you avoid the jail penalty, there may also be attorney | | | | extremely high (sometimes more than the value of the |
| fees because you may need to have an attorney go | | | | vehicle). It can also lead to significant jail time. California |
| to court and present a "legal good faith" excuse as to | | | | specific, other states may be different. |
| why you missed the deadline (to try and avoid the | | | | |