DUI and California DMV
In most cases, the person arrested for drunk driving will have his driver's license confiscated by the officer if he (1) takes a breath test showing .08% blood-alcohol or higher, (2) gives a blood or urine sample which will be analyzed later, or (3) refuses to be tested. He will also be given a pink sheet of paper which serves as both a notice of suspension and a 30-day temporary license. (For out-of-state drivers, the license will not be seized and the suspension will only be of the privilege to drive within California.)
It is critically important to CALL THE California DMV WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE ARREST to request a hearing to contest the suspension; failure to do so will result in the suspension taking effect 30 days after the arrest. Requesting a hearing will also result in an extension of the 30-day temporary license, usually for another month or two depending upon when the hearing is held. Nothing is lost by requesting a hearing and a good DUI attorney has a fair chance of getting the suspension thrown out.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is a huge bureaucracy with all of the inefficiency and incompetence that one has come to expect. The division of the DMV responsible for the "APS" suspension of licenses is the Drivers Safety Office (DSO), with branch offices located around the state. It is at these offices that the hearings will take place, presided over by a "hearing officer" -- a DMV employee without legal training who will serve as both prosecutor and judge. Without an attorney experienced in such hearings, the chances of obtaining a "set-aside" of the suspension are not good.
To find out more about your rights and how to protect them contact our office at (916) 447-7842.
CA DUI Guide




As northern California drivers, most of us have had the unfortunate run-in with a friendly or not so friendly police officer who issued us a ticket to appear in court for a traffic violation. In most counties including Sacramento, Alameda and San Francisco the court permitted us to pay the inexplicably high fine through mail. For an additional amount you could even go to traffic school and have your case dismissed upon completion. Most of the time traffic school would make the court conviction virtually disappear, dismissing the case. Even though the wallet was a bit lighter most of us were glad to have the chance to go to traffic school and get the case dismissed. No one would have to find out about our conviction, not the 



