| When Randy Snyder saw the lights flashing on his | | | | That power now lies solely with the DMV. That is why |
| way home from a party last New Year's Eve, he | | | | it was so critical that Randy retained a DUI attorney |
| knew that he was in trouble. He had just been pulled | | | | just two days after his arrest. If he had waited any |
| over for a DUI. California law is harsh when it comes | | | | longer, it would have been too late for the attorney to |
| to drunk driving. | | | | file the necessary paperwork to challenge the |
| The police officer gave Randy a "field sobriety test" | | | | suspension. |
| and then took him to the station for a blood alcohol | | | | But the nightmare wasn't over yet. Randy had to take |
| test. Then Randy was placed in jail to "dry out" until the | | | | time off work to go to court. The lawyer worked out |
| next day. | | | | a plea agreement so that Randy wouldn't have to |
| But the case was just starting. The arrest initiated two | | | | spend any more time in jail. But he was ordered to |
| separate cases. A DUI in California gets filed in both | | | | attend a 52 week alcohol course, which he found quite |
| criminal court and with the state's Department of | | | | intrusive into his life. |
| Motor Vehicles. Randy had just 10 days to contest the | | | | Randy is certain that he will never drive drunk again. |
| suspension of his driver's license with the DMV. | | | | But he knows that he got off a lot lighter than he |
| The courts in California no longer have the power to | | | | would have if he hadn't retained an attorney right |
| suspend or revoke a driver's license in a DUI case. | | | | away. |