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Dave Jake Schwartz, Attorney at Law, PO Box 5604, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
 DUI Consultations Always Free: 707-480-3383

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TEN TIPS FOR EASING THE CONSEQUENCES 
OF A SONOMA COUNTY DUI

1.     COURT APPEARANCES

DON'T GO TO COURT FOR A DUI. 
IT IS MUCH EASIER FOR YOU IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK AND ATTEND A STRESSFUL AND CONFUSING APPEARANCE IN SONOMA SUPERIOR COURT IN SANTA ROSA IF WE DETERMINE THAT THERE IS NO OTHER REASON FOR YOU TO ATTEND. IN SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTY YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND A COURT OR DMV HEARING UNLESS THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL HEARING WHERE EVIDENCE IS TO BE FORMALLY INTRODUCED. IN MARIN COUNTY YOU MUST ONLY ATTEND SENTENCING, AND ONLY IF YOU LIVE IN MARIN OR A BORDERING COUNTY.

YOU CAN (AND SHOULD) CLOSELY FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF YOUR CASE BY COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR ATTORNEY BEFORE AND AFTER SANTA ROSA COURT APPEARANCES, AND FOLLOWING YOUR CASE SEPARATELY ONLINE BY CLICKING ON BEST LINKS ON THIS SITE AND THEN FIND YOUR LOCAL COURT UNDER "SUPERIOR COURTS" BY CLICKING ON THE COUNTY WHERE YOU WERE ARRESTED (FOR EXAMPLE, SONOMA, MARIN, OR NAPA), AND SEARCH YOUR NAME. SONOMA COURTS HAVE AN ONLINE CALENDAR FOR SANTA ROSA APPEARANCES THE NEXT MORNING WHICH LISTS YOUR NAME, CASE NUMBER, ONE CHARGE, AND THE SANTA ROSA COURTROOM (ALSO CALLED THE "DEPARTMENT") FOR YOUR CASE. NAPA COURTS AND MENDOCINO COURTS HAVE SIMILAR ONLINE CALENDARS. MARIN COURTS HAVE SAN RAFAEL APPEARANCES ONLINE WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

IMPORTANT!! IF YOU HAVE A SUSPENDED LICENSE, DON'T DRIVE, AND IF YOU DRIVE TO COURT IN SANTA ROSA, YOU STAND A CHANCE OF BEING ARRESTED IN ONE OF SONOMA COUNTY'S STING OPERATIONS WHERE AGENTS WATCH IN COURT AND RADIO TO OFFICERS WAITING FOR YOU WHEN YOU DRIVE AWAY FROM THE COURTHOUSE. TYPICALLY THESE STINGS HAPPEN AT SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR AND RESULT IN HUGE ADDITIONAL HEADACHES (NOT TO MENTION MORE JAIL TIME) FOR THOSE CAUGHT. CLICK HERE IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT! SANTA ROSA COURT STING. HAVE A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER APPEAR FOR YOU INSTEAD.

2.     DRIVERS LICENSE

TIMING IS CRITICAL. 
BE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR YOUR LICENSE TO BE RETURNED ON THE FIRST POSSIBLE DAY. SIGN UP EARLY FOR DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM CLASSES ("DDP"). IN SONOMA COUNTY, THE DDP IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTH WEST CORNER OF CODDINGTOWN SHOPPING CENTER IN SANTA ROSA. CLICK HERE FOR A SONOMA DDP MAP/ENROLLMENT INFORMATION HANDED OUT AT SENTENCING IN SANTA ROSA SUPERIOR COURT. YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SANTA ROSA DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM BY CLICKING HERE FOR THE SONOMA DDP WEB PAGE. DETAILED INFORMATION AND MORE TIPS ABOUT THE SONOMA COUNTY DDP CAN BE FOUND BELOW IN TIP #4. CLICK HERE FOR NAPA DDP OR MARIN DDP INFORMATION.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE RESTRICTED "WORK" LICENSE. 

IF YOU HAD A VALID CALIFORNIA LICENSE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND YOU ARE AGE 21 OR OLDER, AND YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI OR SUSPENDED BY DMV BEFORE, AND THERE IS NO ALLEGATION THAT YOU REFUSED TO GIVE A BREATH OR BLOOD SAMPLE AT THE TIME OF THIS SONOMA COUNTY ARREST, THEN YOU MAY OBTAIN A CALIFORNIA RESTRICTED "WORK" LICENSE IN A MISDEMEANOR SONOMA COUNTY DUI CASE AFTER THE FIRST 30 DAYS OF THE DMV SUSPENSION ONCE SANTA ROSA DDP HAS CONFIRMED WITH DMV IN SACRAMENTO THAT YOU ARE ALREADY ENROLLED IN SONOMA COUNTY DUI CLASSES AT THE SANTA ROSA DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM, AND AFTER YOU FILE AN SR22 INSURANCE FORM  WITH THE SANTA ROSA DMV (SEE "INSURANCE" BELOW) ON FILE WITH THE DMV. 

SONOMA, NAPA, AND MARIN COUNTIES EACH HAVE ONLY ONE DDP. USUALLY DDP'S HAVE A WAITING LIST TO ENROLL, SO IF YOU WAIT TOO LONG (SONOMA COUNTY COURTS REQUIRE THAT YOU SIGN UP WITHIN 21 DAYS OF A DUI CONVICTION OR ELSE YOU MUST BE RE-REFERRED BY THE JUDGE) THEN YOUR REQUIRED SUSPENSION PERIOD WILL BE UNNECESSARILY LONGER THAN THE MANDATORY 30 DAYS. IF YOU ARE ARRESTED FOR DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE DUE TO A DUI, THE PENALTIES ARE SEVERE AND EXPENSIVE, INCLUDING POSSIBLE DENIAL OF A LATER REQUEST FOR A WORK LICENSE. TALK TO YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER ABOUT THE BEST TIME TO ENROLL AND THEN DON'T DELAY.

GETTING THE RESTRICTED LICENSE. 
UNDERSTAND THAT THE SANTA ROSA DMV DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY SEND THE RESTRICTED LICENSE TO YOU; RATHER YOU MUST ACCOMPLISH THESE TASKS AND THEN GO TO THE SANTA ROSA OR PETALUMA DMV SATELLITE OFFICE AND PAY A FEE TO OBTAIN THE RESTRICTED LICENSE. THE LICENSE ISSUED TO YOU AT SANTA ROSA DMV WILL BE A NEW 8-1/2 x 11" TEMPORARY LICENSE. YOUR REGULAR LICENSE (WHICH LOOKS LIKE THE ONE YOU HAD BEFORE EXCEPT THE RESTRICTIONS ARE PRINTED ON THE REVERSE) WILL BE MAILED TO YOU FROM SACRAMENTO FOLLOWING YOUR SANTA ROSA DMV VISIT.

YOU CAN FIND EARLY CONTACT INFORMATION ON THIS SITE BY CLICKING ON BEST LINKS AND THEN UNDER "DUI COMPLIANCE" CLICK ON ONE OF THE DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM LINKS.  SONOMA, NAPA, MARIN AND ALL THE STATE-LICENSED DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAMS ARE LISTED.   

THE UNDER AGE 21 CRITICAL NEED RESTRICTED DRIVERS LICENSE. 
IF YOU ARE UNDER AGE 21 AND LOST YOUR LICENSE DUE TO A FIRST DUI OR ZERO TOLERANCE CASE, THEN YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER APPLYING FOR A CRITICAL NEED LICENSE TO DRIVE IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN ADEQUATELY SHOW THE DMV THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN YOUR AREA IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR TRANSPORT TO AND FROM WORK OR SCHOOL OR YOU ARE THE PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTING A FAMILY MEMBER TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. ALTHOUGH SONOMA COUNTY HAS ADEQUATE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN MANY LOCATIONS SUCH AS SANTA ROSA, PETALUMA AND THE 101 CORRIDOR, MANY OTHER OUTLYING AREAS SUCH AS WEST COUNTY MAY BE BETTER QUALIFIED REMOTE LOCATIONS, PARTICULARLY IF MULTIPLE TASKS MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED IN A SINGLE DAY, SUCH AS WORK AND SCHOOL. CLICK HERE FOR SONOMA COUNTY TRANSIT SCHEDULES TO DETERMINE IF ALTERNATIVES EXIST FOR YOU. IF NOT, THEN PRINT OUT NEARBY ROUTES AND SCHEDULES TO ATTACH TO YOUR APPLICATION SO THAT THE DMV CAN READILY SEE THE LACK OF ALTERNATIVES GIVEN YOUR SITUATION.

USING A LAWYER MAY SAVE UNNECESSARY DELAY. IT IS OFTEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL TO ASK A LOCAL SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER TO PROVIDE AND REVIEW THIS APPLICATION SO THAT ELIGIBLE MINORS MAY MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY OF DENIAL OF APPLICATION. A SANTA ROSA LAWYER WILL BE SURE THAT THE ENTIRE APPLICATION IS COMPLETED, INCLUDING ALL REQUIRED SIGNATURES FROM PARENTS, SCHOOL OFFICIALS, EMPLOYERS AND/OR DOCTORS. WE REVIEW APPLICATIONS TO ENSURE THERE IS ADEQUATE SUPPORTING INFORMATION WHICH WE KNOW THE DMV SACRAMENTO OFFICE LOOKS FOR, SUCH AS SONOMA COUNTY BUS SCHEDULES, SUPPLEMENTAL EXPLANATIONS, AND ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION OF ANY KIND WHICH MAY SUPPORT THE APPLICATION. 

IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF BEING APPROVED. THIS IS THE TYPE OF ADVICE SANTA ROSA LAWYERS SHOULD PROVIDE: MAKE NO MISTAKE; THE DMV ONLY GRANTS UNDER-21 RESTRICTED LICENSES FOR TRULY CRITICAL NEEDS. SO FOR EXAMPLE, GETTING A JOB IN THE TOWN OF SONOMA, AND/OR ENROLLING IN A CLASS OR TWO AT THE SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE OR A TRADE SCHOOL IN NAPA, WOULD TYPICALLY INCREASES CHANCES OF GETTING A LIMITED LICENSE TO ACCOMPLISH SUCH TRANSPORTATION. CLICK HERE TO BROWSE LOCAL COLLEGE CLASSES AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE, AND EMPIRE COLLEGE.  QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF SCHOOL AND EMPLOYMENT TRANSPORTATION HARDSHIPS OR CONFLICTS INCREASE THE CHANCES OF BEING APPROVED, PARTICULARLY WHEN COUPLED WITH INADEQUATE OR COMPLETELY IMPRACTICAL FAMILY/PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES IN SONOMA COUNTY.

APPLICATION FORM. YOU CAN FILL OUT THE CRITICAL NEED APPLICATION ONLINE, PRINT IT TO COMPLETE WITH SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AND SEND TO A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER FOR COMMENTS, REPRINT IF NECESSARY, AND OBTAIN SIGNATURES AND MAIL TO SACRAMENTO WITH YOUR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION. THE FORM USUALLY TAKES WEEKS FOR YOU TO PREPARE AND COMPLETE, PLUS AT LEAST A WEEK OR TWO FOR THE DMV TO CONSIDER, SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO START THIS PROCESS AS SOON AFTER YOU DETERMINE THE ONE-YEAR DMV SUSPENSION IS LIKELY. NOTE THAT ALL MINORS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS RESTRICTED LICENSE MUST SERVE THE INITIAL 30 DAYS OF ANY PENDING SUSPENSION; THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO COMPLETE AND MAIL THE DMV APPLICATION. CLICK HERE FOR THE UNDER AGE 21 FORM: DMV APPLICATION FOR CRITICAL NEED LICENSE.

3.     INSURANCE

THE SR-22. 
IF YOU ARE CONVICTED OF A DUI OR LOSE THE DMV HEARING, YOU WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN AN SR22 INSURANCE FORM  FROM YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO FILE WITH THE DMV IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DRIVERS LICENSE. THE TYPICAL REQUIRED DURATION FOR AN SR-22 IN SONOMA COUNTY IS THREE YEARS. THE SR 22 IS A PROMISE FROM YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO INFORM THE DMV IF YOU EVER LOSE INSURANCE, RESULTING IN YOUR IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION (NATURALLY, PRIOR TO OBTAINING THIS FORM, NO ONE WOULD BE AWARE OF WHETHER YOU HAVE INSURANCE OR NOT). SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES TRANSMIT THE FORM DIRECTLY TO SACRAMENTO DMV IN A MATTER OF HOURS AFTER YOUR REQUEST, AND OTHERS TAKE UP TO SEVERAL WEEKS AND ACTUALLY MAIL YOU THE ORIGINAL FOR YOU TO FILE DIRECTLY WITH THE SANTA ROSA DMV. 

SHOP AROUND. THE SIMPLE FACT OF A DUI SHOULD NOT RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF YOUR INSURANCE POLICY (MANY INSURANCE COMPANIES OFFER THE SR-22 FORM), BUT THIS MAY BE A GOOD TIME TO SHOP FOR THE MOST AFFORDABLE INSURANCE FOR YOUR UNIQUE SITUATION.

YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS SITE ABOUT SR-22 INSURANCE BY CLICKING ON BEST LINKS AND THEN TRYING THE LINKS UNDER "DUI COMPLIANCE" INCLUDING AN FAQ SEARCH ENGINE WHICH CONTAINS AN ANSWER BANK FOR MANY COMMON INSURANCE AND SR-22 QUESTIONS SUCH AS RATE INCREASES, MULTIPLE PERSONS ON POLICIES, OUT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS, ETC.

4.     DUI CLASSES

IN SONOMA COUNTY, THE DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM ("DDP") IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTH WEST CORNER OF CODDINGTOWN SHOPPING CENTER IN SANTA ROSA. CLICK HERE FOR A DDP MAP AND ENROLLMENT INFORMATION HANDED OUT AT SENTENCING. YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SANTA ROSA DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM BY CLICKING HERE FOR THE DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM WEB PAGE. CLICK HERE FOR NAPA OR MARIN DDP INFORMATION.

BE PREPARED
BE PREPARED AND KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. IN SONOMA COUNTY YOU MUST SIGN UP IN SANTA ROSA WITHIN 21 DAYS OF SENTENCING IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO. TAKE ALL OF YOUR PAPERS WHEN YOU GO TO ENROLL. TAKE A CHECK FOR THE INITIAL FEE. BEFORE YOU ENROLL, ASK YOUR ATTORNEY WHICH PROGRAM LENGTH IS CORRECT, RATHER THAN RELYING ON INFORMATION FROM DDP. BE SURE YOU CAN SUPPLY YOUR SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER, AND A FORM H-6 DRIVERS LICENSE HISTORY WHICH YOU CAN OBTAIN FOR A NOMINAL FEE AT THE DMV PRIOR TO ENROLLMENT. IF YOU HIRED A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER TO HANDLE YOUR DMV HEARING, THEN TYPICALLY THE SANTA ROSA DMV ALREADY SENT A COPY OF YOUR H-6 PRINTOUT TO YOUR LAWYER AND YOU MAY ASK HIM/HER FOR A FREE COPY. IF THERE ARE FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO ENROLL, CALL YOUR ATTORNEY WHILE YOU ARE STILL AT THE DDP SO THAT YOU CAN MINIMIZE STRESS AND INCONVENIENCE.

FOLLOW THE RULES; YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BE TERMINATED.
ALTHOUGH THE SANTA ROSA DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM WILL NORMALLY WORK WITH YOU ON NECESSARY ABSENCES IF YOU CONTACT THE PROGRAM IN A TIMELY FASHION (I.E. PRIOR TO THE ABSENCE), STILL, THE SONOMA COUNTY DDP AND THE RULES THEY ENFORCE CAN BE TOUGH. YOU MUST SHOW UP ON TIME (THEY OFTEN CLOSE THEIR DOORS AT START TIME AND DO NOT ALLOW LATE ATTENDANCE). YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY OR YOUR ENROLLMENT TERMINATED IF YOU HAVE ALCOHOL ON YOUR BREATH OR ARE OTHERWISE UNDER THE INFLUENCE. HOWEVER ENROLLMENT AT THE SANTA ROSA OFFICE, AND COMPLETION OF THEIR WHOLE PROGRAM, IS MANDATORY TO RETURN YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES TO NORMALCY, SO YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND MEANINGFULLY PARTICIPATE. 

IF YOU ARE TERMINATED FROM THE SONOMA COUNTY DDP, CONTACT YOUR SANTA ROSA ATTORNEY PROMPTLY TO SEE ABOUT A RE-REFERRAL, ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS YOUR SECOND OR HIGHER DUI. OTHERWISE YOU WILL NOT REGAIN DRIVING PRIVILEGES FOR A VERY LONG TIME. RULES ON RE-REFERRALS VARY AMONG COUNTIES. SONOMA COUNTY WILL RE-REFER SOME MULTIPLE OFFENDER PROGRAM TERMINATIONS WITH A SIMPLE OVER-THE-COUNTER REQUEST AT THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE.

DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM POLICIES AND DECISIONS MAY BE CHALLENGED. 
PEOPLE ARE OFTEN TOLD THEY MAY NOT ENROLL IN A DUI PROGRAM UNTIL CONVICTED OF A DUI. THIS IS FALSE AND FOLLOWING SUCH ADVICE MAY LEAD TO A LONGER SUSPENSION PERIOD THAN REQUIRED BY LAW. IF YOU RECEIVE ANY ADVICE FROM A DUI PROGRAM, OR IF YOU BELIEVE YOU WERE WRONGFULLY TERMINATED, THEN CONTACT A SANTA ROSA LAWYER TO DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES AND REMEDIES. 

DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAMS ARE ACCOUNTABLE IN COURT, WHERE THEIR DECISIONS MAY BE CHALLENGED, AND AT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMS WHERE THEY ARE REGULATED BY STATE ADMINISTRATORS. DON'T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE INTIMIDATED OR SUFFER UNNECESSARY CONSEQUENCES OF INACCURATE ADVICE FROM DDP STAFF WHO MAY NOT FULLY COMPREHEND THE APPLICABLE LAW, AND WHO ARE NOT MOTIVATED BY YOUR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DDP AND THE COURTS CAN MAKE INADVERTENT MISTAKES, OR SET POLICIES WHICH FOCUS ON THEIR OWN AGENDAS, BUT WHICH OFTEN MAY BE  CLARIFIED, CORRECTED OR CHALLENGED.

ENROLL IN YOUR OWN COUNTY OF RESIDENCE.
IF YOU LIVE OR WORK IN A COUNTY OTHER THAN SONOMA, TALK TO YOUR LAWYER OR THE DDP PROGRAM ABOUT TRANSFERRING TO THE MOST CONVENIENT PROGRAM, SUCH AS SAN RAFAEL, NAPA, FORT BRAGG, OR ONE OF MANY PROGRAMS IN SAN FRANCISCO. 

YOU CAN FIND EARLY CONTACT INFORMATION ON THIS SITE BY CLICKING ON BEST LINKS AND THEN UNDER "DUI COMPLIANCE" CLICK ON ONE OF THE DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM LINKS.  SONOMA, NAPA, MARIN AND ALL THE STATE-LICENSED DDP'S ARE LISTED. 

NON CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS.
IF YOU LIVE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CALIFORNIA, THEN TALK TO YOUR SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF EITHER WAIVING THE PROGRAM ALTOGETHER, OR SATISFYING THE REQUIREMENT WITH AN APPROVED ONLINE DDP PROGRAM FOR NONRESIDENTS ONLY (THESE PROGRAMS WILL NOT SATISFY DMV REQUIREMENTS BUT MAY SATISFY COURT REQUIREMENTS SO DISCUSS THIS OPTION WITH YOUR LOCAL SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER BEFORE RELYING UPON ANY OTHER ADVICE.

5.     COURT FINES

TYPICALLY, IN SONOMA COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES, WE CAN ARRANGE MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $50-100 TO EASE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF INCREASINGLY HIGHER COURT FINES FOR A DUI. BE SURE TO WRITE YOUR CASE NUMBER ON EACH CHECK. TRY TO PAY OFF THE ENTIRE AMOUNT EARLY TO AVOID PROBLEMS WHICH OFTEN OCCUR DUE TO LOST OR FORGOTTEN PAYMENTS. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE COURT FINES FLYER HANDED OUT AT SENTENCING FOR INFORMATION ON WHERE IN SANTA ROSA TO ARRANGE PAYMENTS AND SEND YOUR MONTHLY CHECKS.  ADDITIONAL PAYMENT INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE SONOMA COUNTY COURT'S ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT WEB PAGE. CHECK IN WITH THE OFFICES LISTED IN THE COURT FLYER SEVERAL DAYS FOLLOWING SENTENCING TO CONFIRM YOUR FIRST PAYMENT DATE, AMOUNTS, ADDRESSES AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS TO AVOID MISSED PAYMENTS DUE TO INADVERTENT ERROR.

6.     COURT PROBATION

READ YOUR SENTENCING ORDER (SEE A SAMPLE BELOW) AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. 
THERE ARE MULTIPLE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED UPON SENTENCING IN SONOMA COUNTY, SUCH AS FINES, DUI CLASSES, JAIL, ETC. ALTHOUGH THE COURT AND EVEN YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER MAY DETAIL THE CONSEQUENCES OF A DUI SENTENCE PRIOR, DURING AND SUBSEQUENT TO A SENTENCING, YOU ARE BEST SERVED BY READING YOUR SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT PAPERS IMMEDIATELY, ASKING QUESTIONS, AND CONFIRMING YOUR UNDERSTANDINGS. INADVERTENT ERRORS DO HAPPEN, THEREFORE YOUR OWN INDEPENDENT UNDERSTANDING AND DILIGENCE IS CRITICAL TO PREVENTING MISHAP AND POSSIBLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. 

IN SONOMA COUNTY, AT THE TIME OF SENTENCING, YOU OR YOUR LAWYER WILL RECEIVE A "MINUTE ORDER" FROM THE COURT SHOWING EVERY ITEM RECORDED BY THE SANTA ROSA COURTROOM CLERK, INCLUDING THE COURT'S SPECIFIC SENTENCING ORDERS REGARDING JAIL, FINES, DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM, DATES, DURATIONS, EVEN SPECIAL ORDERS LIKE STAYING OUT OF BARS AND ABSTAINING FROM ALCOHOL POSSESSION/USE, ETC. CLICK HERE TO SEE A TYPICAL SONOMA COUNTY MINUTES SHEET & SENTENCING ORDER FOR A 1ST DUI. THE REVERSE (PAGE 3 IN THE CLICK ABOVE) INCLUDES ADDITIONAL ORDERS AND KEY INFORMATION SUCH AS PHONE NUMBERS, ADDRESSES AND TIMES FOR CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS.

MOST SONOMA COUNTY DUI CONVICTIONS RESULT IN INFORMAL COURT PROBATION (CALLED A "CONDITIONAL SENTENCE") WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE MONTHLY REPORTS OR ANY RESTRICTION ON YOUR TRAVEL. SIMPLY PUT, YOUR DUI RESOLUTION IN COURT IS CONDITIONED UPON YOU HAVING NO ADVERSE POLICE CONTACT DURING THIS PERIOD, OR ELSE YOU WILL RISK FURTHER PUNISHMENT IN THIS CASE (IN ADDITION TO THE NEW TROUBLE, OF COURSE). NORMALLY ALL OF THE PROBATION CONDITIONS WILL BE INCLUDED ON YOUR MINUTE ORDER.

IF YOUR CASE RESOLVED IN THE PAST AND YOU LOST OR NEVER RECEIVED A COPY OF YOUR SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT MINUTE/SENTENCING ORDER, AND YOU WISH TO REVIEW PRECISELY WHAT WAS ORDERED BY THE COURT, YOU MAY APPEAR AT THE SONOMA COUNTY CRIMINAL CLERK'S OFFICE AT THE MAIN COURTHOUSE IN SANTA ROSA AND ASK FOR A COPY OF THE ENTIRE "DOCKET" OR COURT HISTORY. THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE PER PAGE, BUT THIS IS A VALUABLE RECORDED HISTORY OF EVERYTHING THAT ACTUALLY TRANSPIRED IN YOUR SONOMA COUNTY COURT CASE AND CAN OFTEN REFRESH RECOLLECTIONS AND CLEAR UP MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF PRECISE RESOLUTIONS, PROBATION DURATIONS, TIME SERVED, ETC... 

IF YOU WISH TO SEE APPLICABLE STATUTES FOR THE RANGE OF DUI SENTENCING OPTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES IN SONOMA COUNTY, YOU MAY CLICK ON BEST LINKS ON THIS SITE AND THEN UNDER "SELF HELP RESOURCES" CLICK ON THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE. MOST OF THE SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT'S MANDATORY AND DISCRETIONARY DUI SENTENCING COMPONENTS ARE CONTAINED IN CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTIONS 23536 TO 23602.  

DON'T DRIVE WITH ANY ALCOHOL IN YOUR BODY.
YOUR SENTENCING ORDER USUALLY CONTAINS ALL OF THE CONDITIONS WHICH APPLY TO YOU. SONOMA COUNTY COURT PROBATION TYPICALLY INCLUDES A CATCH-ALL CONDITION OF SENTENCE THAT YOU OBEY ALL LAWS AND BE OF GOOD CONDUCT, AND ALSO A PROHIBITION ON DRIVING WITH ANY MEASURABLE ALCOHOL IN YOUR BODY (AS COMPARED TO BEFORE CONVICTION WHEN YOU COULD HAVE UP TO .08%). IF YOU HAD A PARTICULARLY HIGH BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OR THIS IS YOUR SECOND OR HIGHER DUI, THEN YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS REFRAINING FROM ALCOHOL POSSESSION AND USE, AND STAYING OUT OF PLACES WHERE ALCOHOL IS THE PRIMARY ITEM FOR SALE, ETC.

7.     JAIL ALTERNATIVES

MOST PEOPLE CONSIDER STAYING OUT OF JAIL TO BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY, SECOND PERHAPS ONLY TO WANTING A COMPLETE DISMISSAL OF CHARGES OR PRESERVING DRIVING PRIVILEGES. SONOMA COUNTY TYPICALLY SENTENCES TWO DAYS OF JAIL FOR A STANDARD FIRST DUI. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, AND SOMETIMES A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER CAN AVOID SUCH A SENTENCE.

YOUR LAWYER SHOULD ARGUE ANY COMPELLING SITUATIONS AND ANY LEGAL WEAKNESSES IN THE SONOMA COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S CASE TO BARGAIN DOWN DAYS. IF YOU WERE NOT RELEASED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ARREST AND SPENT TIME IN THE SANTA ROSA JAIL, THEN TELL YOUR SONOMA COUNTY ATTORNEY HOW LONG, AND WE MAY BE ABLE TO OBTAIN CREDITS AGAINST ANY SUBSEQUENT SONOMA COUNTY JAIL SENTENCE. IF YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL WAS PARTICULARLY HIGH (USUALLY OVER .15%) OR YOU REFUSED TO PROVIDE A SAMPLE OF YOUR BREATH OR BLOOD AT THE TIME OF ARREST, OR OTHER AGGRAVATING FACTORS ARE PRESENT IN YOUR CASE, THEN YOU MAY BE AT RISK FOR ADDITIONAL DAYS OF JAIL IN ANY SONOMA COUNTY COURT SENTENCING.

IF THIS IS YOUR SECOND OR HIGHER DUI AND YOU ARE READY TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SIGNIFICANT ALCOHOL PROBLEM IN YOUR LIFE, THEN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT MAY BE AN OPTION, NOT ONLY FOR CONFRONTING ABUSE OR ADDICTION, BUT ALSO A TOOL FOR YOUR SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER TO TRY TO SHORTEN ANY JAIL SENTENCE.

VOLUNTEER WORK.
MOST COUNTIES, INCLUDING SONOMA, OFFER "WORK RELEASE" OR SHERIFF'S ALTERNATIVE WORK PROGRAM ("SWAP") WHICH IS A JAIL ALTERNATIVE WHERE YOU VOLUNTEER WITH THE COUNTY IN SANTA ROSA OR ELSEWHERE INSTEAD OF GOING TO JAIL. SONOMA COUNTY REQUIRES THAT YOU SIGN UP WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SENTENCING OR ELSE YOU LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID ANY JAIL SENTENCE. THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE IN MOST CASES AS LONG AS YOU SIGN UP WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SENTENCING AND ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM. CERTAIN ALLOWANCES ARE MADE FOR LEGITIMATE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS. CERTAIN ALLEGATIONS IN YOUR MATTER MAY PREVENT YOUR BEING PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SONOMA COUNTY'S WORK RELEASE ALTERNATIVE, SUCH AS BATTERY AGAINST A PEACE OFFICER. CLICK HERE FOR SONOMA COUNTY'S ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES AND WORK RELEASE DETAILS, AND CLICK HERE FOR WORK RELEASE MAP AND CONTACT INFO.

SHOW AND RELEASE.
IN SONOMA COUNTY, TYPICALLY YOU CAN SIMPLY REPORT ON YOUR "TURN-IN DATE" (INDICATED ON YOUR SENTENCING ORDER) TO JAIL AT THE NORTH COUNTY FACILITY BY THE SANTA ROSA AIRPORT, AND BE RELEASED IN A MATTER OF HOURS IF YOUR SENTENCE IS ONLY ONE OR TWO DAYS OF JAIL. ALTHOUGH RELEASE IS TYPICAL, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL AVOID CUSTODY. ASK YOUR SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER HOW THIS PROCESS COULD WORK FOR YOU.

HOME ELECTRONIC CONFINEMENT, WORK FURLOUGH AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES.
EVEN IF THIS IS YOUR SECOND OR HIGHER DUI, OR THIS IS YOUR FIRST DUI BUT ADDITIONAL FACTORS ARE PRESENT SO THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY EXPOSED TO 30 DAYS OR MORE OF JAIL, SONOMA COUNTY TYPICALLY ALLOWS ALTERNATIVES TO ACTUAL INCARCERATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ANKLE BRACELET (HOME CONFINEMENT) AND WORK FURLOUGH (JAIL AT NIGHT) BOTH ALLOW YOU TO GO TO WORK. IT IS CRITICAL TO DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES WITH YOUR LOCAL SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER PRIOR TO SENTENCING SO THAT PROPER DETAILS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ABILITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUCH ALTERNATIVES. ACTUALLY ADDING A DAY OF JAIL TO YOUR SENTENCE COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STAYING AT HOME IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD, OR STAYING IN A SANTA ROSA JAIL CELL. CLICK HERE FOR ELECTRONIC CONFINEMENT/WORK FURLOUGH INFO AND SAMPLE APPLICATION IN SONOMA COUNTY.  THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS CAN BE LENGTHY SO IT IS CRITICAL TO CONSULT WITH A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER AND START COMPLETING THE APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER ANY JAIL SENTENCE IS IMPOSED.

IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN SONOMA COUNTY, THEN IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO SERVE SONOMA JAIL TIME IN ANOTHER COUNTY BY USING THIS ELECTRONIC CONFINEMENT ALTERNATIVE. CLICK HERE FOR ONE PROGRAM WHICH SONOMA COURTS HAVE RECOGNIZED IN THE PAST AS A QUALIFIED OUT-OF-COUNTY PROVIDER OF THIS ALTERNATIVE: THE LCA PROGRAM PROVIDES THIS SERVICE OUTSIDE SONOMA COUNTY AFTER YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE SONOMA COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT USING THE APPLICATION SAMPLE ABOVE, BUT YOUR LAWYER MUST OBTAIN A DIRECT REFERRAL TO LCA BY THE SENTENCING COURT IN SANTA ROSA. THIS CAN BE A LENGTHY APPLICATION PROCESS, SO IT IS CRITICAL THAT INTERESTED APPLICANTS BEGIN THE PROCESS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING IMPOSITION OF A JAIL SENTENCE.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS SITE, CLICK ON BEST LINKS AND THEN UNDER "DUI COMPLIANCE" CLICK ON THE WORK RELEASE AND JAIL ALTERNATIVES LINKS.


SONOMA COUNTY DUI COURT.
IN FEBRUARY, 2008, SONOMA COUNTY IMPLEMENTED AN INTENSIVE, TREATMENT-ORIENTED PROGRAM, MODELED AFTER SONOMA COUNTY'S DRUG COURT, WHICH EFFECTIVELY DELAYS SERVING A JAIL SENTENCE, AND UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION CONTEMPLATES HOME CONFINEMENT TO SATISFY ANY MINIMUM JAIL SENTENCE AND EARLY TERMINATION OF YOUR TIME ON PROBATION. THE PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATION OF THE COURT, PROBATION DEPARTMENT, HEALTH SERVICES, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SONOMA DUI COURT IS AVAILABLE TO SONOMA COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH A SECOND OR THIRD TIME MISDEMEANOR DUI OFFENSE OCCURRING IN SONOMA COUNTY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY PRIOR SERIOUS FELONIES AND YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY ON PAROLE. 

SONOMA DUI COURT IS A POST-PLEA INTERIM RESOLUTION WHICH WOULD TYPICALLY ONLY BE APPROPRIATE FOR ELIGIBLE MULTIPLE OFFENDERS AFTER THOROUGH ANALYSIS OF YOUR PRESENT CASE WITH A SANTA ROSA LAWYER IF YOU DETERMINE THAT EITHER THERE ARE NO VIABLE DEFENSES, OR YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL IN YOUR LIFE.

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM AND WISH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS INTENSIVE THREE-PHASE SANTA ROSA PROGRAM WITH REGULAR OBLIGATIONS AND REVIEWS, WEEKLY THERAPY, DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING, 12 STEP MEETINGS AND DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM CLASSES, THEN, AFTER MEANINGFUL REVIEW OF YOUR CASE WITH YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER, YOU MAY ENTER A GUILTY PLEA IN REGULAR COURT, AFTER WHICH YOU ARE INTERVIEWED AND ASSESSED BY THE SONOMA COUNTY ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG SERVICES PROGRAM, AND REFERRED TO THE NEXT DUI COURT SESSION (THURSDAYS AT 3 P.M. IN SANTA ROSA COURTROOM 15) FOR CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM. THE STATED PROGRAM LENGTH IS A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS PLUS AVAILABLE AFTER-CARE.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE 52 WEEK MINIMUM PROGRAM LENGTH WILL PERMIT THE COURT TO GIVE ONE DAY OF JAIL CREDIT FOR EACH WEEK PLUS 2 DAYS FOR EACH OF THE FOUR PHASES COMPLETED, OR A TOTAL OF 60 DAYS CREDITS ON ANY JAIL SENTENCE. IN ADDITION, YOUR INCENTIVE TO PARTICIPATE IS THIS MORE THOUGHTFUL AND MEASURED APPROACH FOR MULTIPLE OFFENDERS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO A LOWER COST, STRUCTURED, LOCAL SANTA ROSA TREATMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRANSITION YOU TO A HEALTHY AND STABLE LIFE, DELAY OF SONOMA COUNTY JAIL SENTENCE AND FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION OF THE HOME CONFINEMENT JAIL ALTERNATIVE TO COMPLETE ANY REMAINING SENTENCE, AND EARLY PROBATION TERMINATION. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COMPLETE SONOMA COUNTY DUI COURT BROCHURE.

8.     EFFECTS OF A DUI ON VARIOUS JOBS & CAREERS

MOST PROFESSIONAL AND CONSUMER LICENSING BOARDS (SUCH AS THE MEDICAL BOARD, THE CALIFORNIA BAR ASSOCIATION, ETC...) TYPICALLY WILL NOT TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR A SINGLE SONOMA COUNTY DUI. RATHER THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED IF ONE OR MORE DUI'S INDICATE THAT A LICENSEE HAS A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM. THE BEST COURSE IS FULL AND TIMELY DISCLOSURE IF REQUIRED, AND A WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES IN YOUR LIFE. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU PROTECT YOUR CAREER BY PROMPT INQUIRY INTO APPLICABLE RULES, AND BY AVOIDING A SUBSEQUENT DUI INCIDENT. 

CLICK ON THESE LINKS FOR SAMPLES OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY APPROACHES FOR VARIOUS PROFESSIONS:

DOCTORS

NURSES

BARBERS & BEAUTICIANS

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

OR CLICK ON BEST LINKS ON THIS SITE AND THEN FIND YOUR LICENSING BOARD WEBSITE UNDER "AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS," OR CONSULT YOUR PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. INACTION MAY CAUSE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH TIMELY INTERVENTION.

MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL.
MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WHO ARE CONVICTED OF A DUI PRESENT SPECIAL SITUATIONS WHICH REQUIRE INFORMATION YOU RECEIVE FROM MILITARY COUNSEL, UNION REPRESENTATIVE, OR YOUR COMMANDER, AND COORDINATION OF INFORMATION WITH YOUR SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER. YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER ASKING YOUR LAWYER TO AVOID SONOMA COUNTY PROBATION IF SUCH CONTINUING JURISDICTION BY A CIVILIAN COURT WOULD PRESENT OBSTACLES TO ENLISTMENT OR CONTINUED SERVICE. IF YOU AUTHORIZE YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER TO SPEAK WITH THE APPROPRIATE BASE OR COMMANDING OFFICER, OFTEN SEVERE CONSEQUENCES MAY BE AVOIDED.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS.
COMMERCIAL DRIVERS WITH CLASS A OR B LICENSES FACE PARTICULARLY TOUGH CONSEQUENCES UPON CONVICTION FOR A SONOMA COUNTY DUI OR FAILURE TO WIN THE RELATED SANTA ROSA DMV HEARING. A TRUCK DRIVER, COMMERCIAL DELIVERY PERSON, OR FIRE ENGINE DRIVER MAY FACE LOSS OF CAREER BECAUSE A DUI CONVICTION WILL NORMALLY RESULT IN A ONE-YEAR LOSS OF HIS/HER COMMERCIAL LICENSE. A SECOND DUI OR COMBINATION OF CONVICTIONS WILL NORMALLY RESULT IN LIFETIME LOSS OF COMMERCIAL PRIVILEGES. SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID CATASTROPHIC PERSONAL OR ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES IS TO WIN YOUR CASE AT TRIAL IN THE SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT.

EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE ("EPN") PROGRAM.
AS REQUIRED BY VEHICLE CODE SECTION 1808.1, CERTAIN DRIVERS, TYPICALLY COMMERCIAL DRIVERS WITH CLASS A OR B LICENSES, OR CLASS C LICENSES WITH SPECIAL DRIVING QUALIFICATIONS, ARE ENROLLED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS IN THE EPN PROGRAM. PURSUANT TO THIS PROGRAM, THE DMV WILL AUTOMATICALLY GENERATE A DRIVING RECORD AND MAIL IT TO THE EMPLOYER FOR NEWLY ENROLLED DRIVERS, OR ANNUALLY FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED DRIVERS, OR UPON AN "ACTION OR ACTIVITY" WHICH IS DEFINED BY LAW AS A CONVICTION, FAILURE TO APPEAR, ACCIDENT, DRIVER LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION, OR ANY OTHER ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE DRIVING PRIVILEGE. YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE EPN PROGRAM BY CLICKING ON EPN PROGRAM. IF YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE PART OF THE EPN PROGRAM PURSUANT TO VEHICLE CODE SECTION 1808.1(K), THEN IF YOU ARE ENROLLED, YOUR EMPLOYER MUST OBTAIN YOUR PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT, KEEP A COPY ON FILE AT YOUR WORKSITE, AND IMMEDIATELY REMOVE YOU FROM THE PROGRAM UPON TERMINATION OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT.

9.     FIXING TRIGGER PROBLEMS

IF YOU WANT TO AVOID AGGRAVATING THE SONOMA COUNTY JUDGE OR MAKING FUTURE ARRESTS HERE OR ELSEWHERE EVEN WORSE, YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER FIXING SOME OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS. 

IT MAY VERY WELL BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO GET A SUSPENDED DRIVER'S LICENSE FIXED, PROPERLY REGISTER ANY UNREGISTERED VEHICLE, PAY OFF OLD TICKETS AT THE SONOMA COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN SANTA ROSA, RENEW EXPIRED INSURANCE, AND FIX VEHICLE EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS WHICH LED TO THE INITIAL STOP IN THIS INCIDENT OR COULD LEAD TO POLICE STOPS IN THE FUTURE. 

IF YOUR ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS HIGH (OVER 0.15%), OR IF THIS IS YOUR SECOND OR HIGHER DUI, THEN YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER ATTENDING AA MEETINGS TO BEGIN ADDRESSING ISSUES OR TO HEAD OFF CONTINUING PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY IF THERE ARE NO SUBSTANTIAL DEFENSES IN THIS CASE. YOU CAN FIND AA LOCATIONS IN SANTA ROSA AND SONOMA COUNTY BY CLICKING HERE: LOCAL AA MEETINGS, AND THEN SELECT THE SONOMA COUNTY LINK. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEETINGS IN SONOMA COUNTY SO DON'T BE DISCOURAGED IF YOUR FIRST MEETING DOESN'T SEEM TO FIT YOUR ISSUES OR PERSONALITY. 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HELP YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER TO PROVE YOUR AA MEETING ATTENDANCE; CLICK HERE TO PRINT OUT AN  AA SIGN-UP SHEET AND KEEP A RECORD OF EACH MEETING ATTENDED, SIGNED BY THE MEETING MODERATOR. KEEP ORIGINALS AND GIVE COPIES TO YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER. OFTEN, SONOMA COUNTY COURTS WILL ACKNOWLEDGE SELF-STARTERS AND SELF-HELP BY GIVING SOME SORT OF JAIL OR FINE CREDIT FOR THESE TYPES OF VOLUNTARY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ADDICTION ISSUES. ONE MEETING PER DAY OR THREE OR MORE PER WEEK MAY BE VERY IMPRESSIVE TO A SANTA ROSA JUDGE.

ARRESTEES WITH MULTIPLE PRIOR DUI'S MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE SONOMA COUNTY COURTS WILL IMMEDIATELY ASSUME YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH ALCOHOL IN YOUR LIFE (PROBABLY FAIR CONSIDERING THE SERIOUS TROUBLE YOU MAY BE FACING NOW). YOU MAY WISH TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER RESIDENTIAL REHAB TO AVOID INCREASED PENALTIES OR BEING JAILED DURING THE COURT PROCEEDINGS IF THERE ARE NO SUBSTANTIAL DEFENSES IN YOUR CASE. CLICK ON BEST LINKS ON THIS SITE AND THEN RELEVANT LINKS UNDER "DUI COMPLIANCE" TO VIEW OTHER SANTA ROSA AND SONOMA COUNTY DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 21 YEARS OLD, GETTING A JOB AND/OR ENROLLING IN SCHOOL IN SONOMA COUNTY OR ELSEWHERE MAY INCREASE CHANCES OF GETTING A LIMITED LICENSE IF THERE ARE NO SUBSTANTIAL DEFENSES IN YOUR CASE. CLICK HERE TO BROWSE LOCAL COLLEGE CLASSES AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE, AND EMPIRE COLLEGE. ALTHOUGH SONOMA COUNTY TRANSIT IS ADEQUATE IN MANY AREAS (CLICK HERE FOR SONOMA COUNTY TRANSIT SCHEDULES), YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR A RESTRICTED LICENSE IF YOU LIVE IN OUTLYING AREAS OF SANTA ROSA SUCH AS THE RUSSIAN RIVER, BODEGA, OCCIDENTAL OR SEA RANCH, WHERE A COMBINATION OF WORK AND SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS MAY REQUIRE THAT YOU CONTINUE DRIVING. CLICK ON  TEN TIPS TO GETTING YOUR LICENSE BACK  FOR A MORE COMPLETE EXPLANATION OF OBTAINING A RESTRICTED LICENSE, INCLUDING A COPY OF THE DMV APPLICATION.

10.     EXPUNGEMENT

ONCE YOUR COURT PROBATION IS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED IN SONOMA COUNTY, YOU MAY ASK YOUR ATTORNEY TO FILE AN EXPUNGEMENT PETITION IN SANTA ROSA SO THAT YOU CAN LEGALLY STATE ON A FUTURE APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENED. 

EXPUNGEMENT HAS LIMITATIONS SO BE SURE TO ASK AN ATTORNEY BEFORE RELYING ON THIS PROCEDURE TO "ERASE" A DUI, BUT THE RESULTS CAN BE BENEFICIAL. A SONOMA COUNTY DEFENSE ATTORNEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO CHALLENGE A DENIAL OF EXPUNGEMENT IF THE SONOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CONTINUES TO AUTOMATICALLY INTERVENE AND "REJECT" EXPUNGEMENT PETITIONS AS THAT OFFICE HAS DONE IN THE PAST. 

YOU CAN BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FILLING OUT AN OFFICIAL EXPUNGEMENT FORM BY CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING LINK AND FILL OUT THE FORM ONLINE, PRINT IT AND SEND IT TO A SANTA ROSA LAWYER SUCH AS JAKE TO REVIEW, COMMENT AND PROCESS FOR YOU. CLICK HERE FOR THE FILLABLE FORM: PETITION AND ORDER FOR EXPUNGEMENT.