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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 THE FIRST 48 HOURS AFTER A DUI ARREST IN SONOMA COUNTY

1.     WRITE A DETAILED NARRATIVE OF THE INCIDENT

DEFENSES RELY ON SPECIFIC FACTS, BUT MEMORY BEGINS TO FADE IMMEDIATELY. IT IS REALLY, REALLY  IMPORTANT TO IMMEDIATELY WRITE DOWN AN HONEST ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED AND INCLUDE EVERYTHING LEADING UP TO THE INITIAL ENCOUNTER WITH SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DURING AND AFTER. DEFENSES ARE IN THE DETAILS, AND ALSO, LATER TESTIMONY IS MORE CREDIBLE IN FRONT OF A SANTA ROSA JURY OR THE SANTA ROSA DMV HEARING OFFICER IF YOU REMEMBER MORE THAN JUST THE FACTS OF A PARTICULAR DEFENSE. THE MORE DETAILS YOU REMEMBER, THE BETTER THE CHANCES OF IDENTIFYING DEFENSES AND WINNING A CASE IN SONOMA COUNTY.

IT IS ALWAYS BEST WHEN DISCUSSING FACTS WHICH COULD HAVE ADVERSE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES THAT YOU MAXIMIZE CONFIDENTIALITY. WRITE "CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION" AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NARRATIVE AND SEND IT TO YOUR LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING THE ARREST.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN.
SO IN YOUR NARRATIVE OF WHAT HAPPENED, FOCUS ON THE WHO, WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN. WHERE HAD YOU BEEN PRIOR TO DRIVING, AT WHAT TIMES, WHEN DID YOU ARRIVE AT THE LAST STOP? WHO WERE YOU WITH, AND WHO SAW YOU LEAVE? WHEN DID YOU LEAVE THERE? (ALWAYS INCLUDE HOW YOU FIGURE EACH TIME: DETERMINING THIS TIME, WAS IT 10 MINUTES AFTER CLOSING TIME? DO YOU REMEMBER LOOKING AT YOUR WATCH OR SOMEONE REMARKED ON THE TIME? TIME STAMP ON A BAR RECEIPT? CREDIT CARD RECORD? CELL PHONE RECORD?). INCLUDE HOW WAS THE TRAFFIC AND WHAT WAS YOUR ROUTE OF TRAVEL IN SONOMA COUNTY, WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU FIRST SEE SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, PRECISELY WHEN DID YOU SEE RED POLICE LIGHTS OR OTHERWISE BELIEVE YOU WERE NO LONGER FREE TO LEAVE, SPECIFIC WORDS EXCHANGED, WHY WERE YOU PULLED OVER, OR IF YOU WERE ALREADY STOPPED OR PARKED THEN PRECISELY WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU STOP (INCLUDE HOW YOU FIGURED THE TIME), WHETHER IT WAS A DESERTED OR BUSY AREA? WHO WAS WITH YOU BEFORE AND DURING THE ARREST. FINALLY, INCLUDE SEEMINGLY IRRELEVANT RECOLLECTIONS SUCH AS YOUR CLOTHING, THE WEATHER, AND HOW YOU WERE FEELING THAT DAY.  WHO WAS THE ARRESTING AGENCY (SONOMA CHP? SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFF? SANTA ROSA, COTATI, ROHNERT PARK, PETALUMA, SONOMA, SEBASTOPOL POLICE OR ANOTHER LOCAL AGENCY? A "TURN OVER" TO CHP OR OTHER COMBINATION OF SONOMA COUNTY POLICE AGENCIES?).

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
IF YOU WERE IN AN ACCIDENT IN SONOMA COUNTY, INCLUDE IN YOUR NARRATIVE DETAILS SUCH AS LOCATION, WHO WAS AT FAULT, WHO PHONED FOR HELP, PRECISELY WHAT TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT DID THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN (CHECK AND KEEP PHONE RECORDS AND RECEIPTS), WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE FIRST, HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR THE FIRST WITNESS OR POLICE TO SHOW UP, HOW MANY SONOMA COUNTY POLICE OR EMERGENCY AGENCIES WERE FINALLY PRESENT, DID YOU SEE ANY INJURIES, WAS THE ACCIDENT SCENE RURAL OR IN TOWN, DESERTED OR WERE THERE PEOPLE OR CARS PASSING BY.

EATING, DRINKING, MEDICATIONS.
INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF ANY MEDICATIONS YOU WERE ON AND/OR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITIONS YOU MAY HAVE. INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR EATING AND DRINKING (INCLUDING DRINKING WHILE DRIVING AND/OR ESPECIALLY DRINKING AFTER DRIVING), WHERE, WHAT, HOW MUCH, AND ACTUAL TIME OF START AND FINISH FOR EACH MEAL AND FOR EACH DRINK, DURATION FROM TIME OF LAST DRINK TO TIME OF DRIVING TO TIME OF FIRST SONOMA COUNTY POLICE CONTACT AND FROM TIME OF DRIVING TO TIME OF BLOOD AND/OR BREATH TESTS, LOCATION AND RESULTS OF EACH BREATH OR BLOOD TEST. 

FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS.
INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF EACH FIELD SOBRIETY TEST WHICH YOU PERFORMED. THESE TYPICALLY INCLUDE THE EYE EXAM (FOLLOW A FINGER OR PEN WITH YOUR EYES), WALK AND TURN, AND ONE LEG STAND (RAISE ONE FOOT 6 INCHES AND COUNT OUT LOUD). OTHERS MAY INCLUDE THE MODIFIED ROMBERG BALANCE TEST (FEET TOGETHER, HEAD TILTED BACK, CLOSE EYES, ESTIMATE 30 SECONDS), FINGER TO NOSE WITH EYES CLOSED, FINGER TAPPING, HAND CLAPPING, AND RECITING OR WRITING THE ALPHABET.

YOU MAY CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK AND WATCH A VIDEO OF ACTUAL FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS ADMINISTERED IN A REAL DUI ARREST, SERIOUS DUI VIDEO OF STANDARD FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS, TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY AND THEN WRITE DOWN THESE OR OTHERS WHICH YOU WERE ASKED TO PERFORM. INCLUDE WHAT THE SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAID TO YOU BEFORE AND AFTER, WHETHER THE OFFICER TOLD YOU THAT YOU DID NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE THEM, WHETHER S/HE DEMONSTRATED EACH TEST PRIOR TO ASKING YOU TO PERFORM THEM. INCLUDE THE PRE-ARREST BREATH TESTING (CALLED A "PAS" TEST, OR PRELIMINARY ALCOHOL SCREENING TEST, WHICH IS ALSO CONSIDERED A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST). 

IF DRUGS ARE PART OF THIS CASE (LEGAL OR ILLEGAL) THEN INCLUDE DOSAGES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, ANY PRESCRIPTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS, AND WHETHER DURING OR AFTER THE ARREST THE SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TOOK YOUR PULSE OR OTHER VITALS AND/OR HELD A CARD TO YOUR FACE TO MEASURE PUPIL SIZE OR EXAMINED YOUR BODY IN ANY WAY. 

ENJOY A STRESS BREAK WITH THIS FUNNY VIDEO OF FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS:

CLICK HERE

POST-ARREST BREATH AND BLOOD TESTING.
INCLUDE IN YOUR NARRATIVE WHAT YOU WERE TOLD BY SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT EACH STAGE OF YOUR ENCOUNTER, AND HOW YOU RESPONDED OR REACTED. INDICATE PRECISELY WHAT THE OFFICER SAID REGARDING BREATH AND THEN BLOOD AND URINE TESTING, AND IF YOU PROVIDED ONE OR MORE BREATH TESTS, DID THE SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFORM YOU THEREAFTER THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO A BLOOD TEST. STATE WHETHER YOU INGESTED ANYTHING JUST BEFORE A BREATH TEST, SUCH AS ALCOHOL, MOUTHWASH/MINTS, CHEWING TOBACCO, SMOKING, FOOD. ALSO INCLUDE INFORMATION IF YOU SUFFERED REFLUX, BELCHING, OR YOU WERE PHYSICALLY ILL AT OR JUST BEFORE A BREATH TEST. 

DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCE.

INCLUDE DOCUMENTS YOU WERE HANDED DURING OR AFTER THE ARREST (OF COURSE, KEEP EVERYTHING). INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF ANY PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF RECENT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN IN YOUR VEHICLE (ESPECIALLY IF YOU DRANK AFTER DRIVING BUT PRIOR TO POLICE CONTACT) SUCH AS HALF-EMPTY BEER CANS IN THE CAR, EMPTY LIQUOR BOTTLES, RECEIPTS FROM STORES OR BARS OR RESTAURANTS, ETC. IF SUCH EVIDENCE EXISTS, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP IT, OR IF ITS ALREADY GONE, THEN DESCRIBE IT IN DETAIL INCLUDING NAMES OF ANY ONE WHO MAY HAVE SEEN IT. 

ASK FRIENDS, BARTENDERS, STORE CLERKS, AND OTHER WITNESSES NOW IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER CERTAIN DETAILS. THEIR MEMORIES FADE QUICKLY TOO.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL DEFENSE, DESCRIBE IN DETAIL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEFENSE, AND ANY WITNESSES, INCLUDING THEIR PHONE NUMBERS. IT IS EASIER TO GET CONTACT INFORMATION NOW RATHER THAN TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.

2.     HIRE A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER

PROTECT YOUR OWN INTERESTS.
GETTING A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER GIVES YOU YOUR BEST SHOT AT BEATING A DUI IN THE LOCAL SANTA ROSA SUPERIOR COURT, AND PROTECTING YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT THE SANTA ROSA DMV. THE SONOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE SONOMA COUNTY JUDGE ARE BOTH LAWYERS WITH THEIR OWN AGENDAS. YOU SHOULD HAVE A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR OWN INTERESTS TOO. WOULD YOU PERFORM YOUR OWN DENTISTRY? ENGINEER YOUR OWN HOME? SUE A COMPANY WITHOUT A GOOD LAWYER ON YOUR SIDE? DON'T FOLLOW CASUAL ADVICE FROM FRIENDS OR TRY TO DO THIS YOURSELF. SERIOUSLY, THE OUTCOME OF A DUI CAN AFFECT YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. 

IF YOU REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A PRIVATE SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER BASED IN SANTA ROSA, THEN APPEAR AT THE FIRST COURT DATE IN THE SONOMA COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND WHEN YOUR CASE IS CALLED BY THE JUDGE, SIMPLY ASK AT THE VERY FIRST MOMENT FOR THE SONOMA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER TO BE APPOINTED (NOTE: SONOMA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS DO NOT HANDLE DMV PROCEEDINGS IN SANTA ROSA OR ELSEWHERE, AND TYPICALLY YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SPEAK WITH THEM PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST COURT APPEARANCE. ALSO, TYPICALLY YOU HAVE TO PHYSICALLY GO TO COURT FOR THE FIRST APPEARANCE AND EVERY PROCEEDING IN YOUR CASE, AS OPPOSED TO PRIVATE SONOMA COUNTY LAWYERS WHO GO FOR YOU). PUBLIC DEFENDERS GET A BAD RAP BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SPEND AS MUCH TIME WITH YOU, BUT THEIR SERVICE IS EXCELLENT AND HIGHLY HONORED.

DUI'S ARE ACTUALLY VERY COMPLICATED.
IF YOU DON'T SEE HOW INVOLVED AND COMPLEX EVEN A FIRST DUI CAN BE IN SONOMA COUNTY WITHOUT A LAWYER, THEN CLICK ON ANATOMY OF A DUI ON THIS SITE AND SEE THE MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS A SANTA ROSA CASE CAN GO, AS WELL AS THE COLLECTION OF OBLIGATIONS, TIMETABLES AND TASKS TO PERFORM. A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER WHO CAN GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE MAZE OF BUREAUCRATIC DOO-DOO, NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING CHARGES REDUCED OR DISMISSED, IS WELL WORTH THE EXPENSE. YOUR SITUATION REQUIRES AN EXPERT. A DUI SHOULD BE HANDLED BY A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER. 

SOME SONOMA COUNTY BAIL COMPANIES WILL REFUND MONEY TO YOU IF YOU HIRE A LAWYER.
NOTE IF YOU PAID BAIL: CERTAIN SANTA ROSA BAIL COMPANIES WILL GIVE YOU BACK 20% OF WHAT YOU PAID IF YOU HIRE A PRIVATE SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER BECAUSE ITS MORE LIKELY THE CASE WILL RESOLVE PROPERLY WITH A LOCAL LAWYER INVOLVED. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY VISIT YOUR BAIL COMPANY TO EXAMINE ITS RATE CHART (REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO BE POSTED IN A VISIBLE LOCATION IN EVERY BAIL BOND OFFICE) AND SEE IF OBTAINING A LAWYER (OR BEING A MEMBER OF A UNION OR THE MILITARY) GETS YOU A LOWER RATE. CLICK HERE TO SEE AN EXAMPLE OF THE FORM THAT THE SANTA ROSA BRANCH OF ALADDIN HAS USED IN THE PAST: CERTIFICATE OF 8% PREMIUM. TYPICALLY, YOU ONLY QUALIFY FOR THE LOWER PRIVATE ATTORNEY RATE IF YOU ACT WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME; FOR EXAMPLE ALADDIN'S LOWER PRIVATE ATTORNEY RATE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR FIVE DAYS FOLLOWING THE DATE THE BAIL WAS ISSUED. 

HERE'S WHAT A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER DOES FOR YOU.
A PRIVATE LAWYER WILL GO TO SANTA ROSA SUPERIOR COURT OR TRAFFIC COURT FOR YOU AND IN MOST SONOMA COUNTY CASES YOU DON'T EVER HAVE TO APPEAR. THIS IS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN SONOMA COUNTY. A PRIVATE LAWYER SHOULD ALSO HANDLE THE DMV CASE FOR YOU SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO YOURSELF (THESE HEARINGS ARE USUALLY LITIGATED IN THE SANTA ROSA OR PETALUMA SATELLITE OFFICES).  THE VALUE OF THIS CONVENIENCE AND THE POSSIBILITY (HOWEVER REMOTE IT MAY BE IN YOUR CASE) OF A SANTA ROSA LAWYER SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINING LOWER OR DISMISSED CHARGES AND PROTECTING YOUR DRIVER LICENSE, ARE ALL SAVINGS WELL WORTH A REASONABLE SANTA ROSA ATTORNEY FEE (TYPICALLY IN THE $1200 TO $1500 RANGE FOR ANY STRAIGHT-FORWARD 1ST OR 2ND DUI IN SONOMA COUNTY).

ANY GOOD SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER WILL CLOSELY EXAMINE THE SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT COMPLAINT AGAINST YOU AND THE POLICE REPORT COMPLETED BY SANTA ROSA OR SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, LOOKING FOR ANY POSSIBLE (OR GLARING) DEFENSES, AND THEN SIT DOWN WITH YOU FOR AS LONG AS YOU NEED, EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO YOU AND ASK YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AFTER YOU UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES, LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS, ADDITIONAL COSTS, AND PROBABLE RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES. A GOOD SANTA ROSA LAWYER WILL HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE MINEFIELD OF POSSIBILITIES, GET THROUGH THE BUREAUCRATIC DOO-DOO IN EVERY SONOMA COUNTY DUI, HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE MULTIPLE TASKS FACING YOU, AND COORDINATE THE TIMING OF TASKS AND RESOLUTIONS, TO GET ALL OF THIS BEHIND YOU WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF STRESS AND INCONVENIENCE. 

WHY IS USING A LOCAL ATTORNEY SO IMPORTANT?
A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER IS FAR BETTER THAN ONE BASED OUTSIDE OF SONOMA COUNTY, BECAUSE SONOMA COUNTY LAWYERS KNOW HOW THE SANTA ROSA DMV, AND HOW THE SONOMA COUNTY JUDGES AND SONOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY REACT TO CERTAIN CASES, AND WE KNOW THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND PROCEDURES HERE IN SONOMA COUNTY WHICH OFTEN VARY WIDELY IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES. FOR EXAMPLE, A STANDARD NO-DEFENSES SECOND DUI IN SONOMA COUNTY IS TYPICALLY SENTENCED TO THIRTY DAYS OF JAIL, BUT ALL OF THE TIME MAY BE SERVED BY VOLUNTEERING WITH THE COUNTY IF YOU ARE NOT OTHERWISE INELIGIBLE. BY COMPARISON, IN MARIN COUNTY THE TYPICAL SENTENCE FOR THE SAME CHARGES IS ONLY FIFTEEN DAYS INSTEAD OF THIRTY, BUT FOUR DAYS MUST BE SERVED IN CUSTODY. SONOMA COUNTY DUI ATTORNEYS KNOW SONOMA COUNTY PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES.

DON'T PAY EXTRA BY BEING FOOLED INTO HIRING A "BIG NAME" LAWYER BASED IN MARIN, SAN FRANCISCO OR LOS ANGELES TO WHOM YOU PAY MORE MONEY SO THAT HE OR SHE CAN ACCOMPLISH THE EXACT SAME RESULT AS A SANTA ROSA LAWYER, OR WORSE YET THEY TURN AROUND AND HIRE A LOCAL SANTA ROSA CONTRACT LAWYER TO APPEAR FOR YOU. THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION MAY BE ADEQUATE BUT STILL A WASTE OF ADDITIONAL MONEY AND AN UNWANTED ADDITIONAL LAYER OF PEOPLE AND MISCOMMUNICATIONS. IF YOU WISH TO TEST WHETHER YOUR PROSPECTIVE LAWYER IS TRULY LOCAL, ASK HOW MANY OFFICES HE/SHE HAS, WHERE HIS/HER PRIMARY BUSINESS OFFICE IS LOCATED, HOW OFTEN HE/SHE APPEARS PERSONALLY IN SANTA ROSA AS COMPARED TO OTHER COURTS, AT WHICH DMV OFFICE HE/SHE CONDUCTS DMV HEARINGS, AND WHAT IS HIS/HER PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING OF A STANDARD NO-DEFENSES DUI SENTENCE IN SONOMA COUNTY.

DON'T GO TO COURT FOR A DUI.  LET YOUR LAWYER GO INSTEAD. 
IT IS MUCH EASIER FOR YOU (AND WELL WORTH IT) 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. MOST COURT APPEARANCES ARE BORING FOR NON-LAWYERS, AND THE FIRST APPEARANCE IN SONOMA COUNTY IS USUALLY ONLY MEANT TO TRADE PAPERS AND INFORMATION AND SET NEW DATES, NOT TO ARGUE ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE. TYPICALLY IN SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTY YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND A MISDEMEANOR COURT OR DMV HEARING UNLESS THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL PROCEEDING WHERE EVIDENCE IS TO BE FORMALLY INTRODUCED (USUALLY ONLY A CONTESTED HEARING OR ACTUAL TRIAL PROCEEDINGS). IN MARIN COUNTY YOU MUST ONLY ATTEND SENTENCING IF YOU LIVE IN MARIN OR A BORDERING COUNTY.

YOU CAN (AND SHOULD) CLOSELY FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF YOUR SONOMA COUNTY CASE BY REGULARLY COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR ATTORNEY BEFORE AND AFTER SANTA ROSA COURT APPEARANCES, AND FOLLOW 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 SANTA ROSA AND SONOMA COUNTY POLICE AGENTS WATCH IN COURT AND RADIO TO OFFICERS WAITING FOR YOU WHEN YOU DRIVE AWAY FROM THE COURTHOUSE. THESE STINGS TYPICALLY HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES THROUGHOUT THE 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.

3.     CONTACT THE DMV

WHY IS CONTACTING DMV SO IMPORTANT?
IN MOST CASES THE SONOMA COUNTY ARRESTING OFFICER TAKES YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND GIVES YOU A PINK CARBON COPY OF A NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND TEMPORARY LICENSE, UNLESS YOU HAD AN OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE OR THE ALLEGED DUI IS ONLY DRUG-RELATED (WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ALCOHOL WHATSOEVER). CLICK HERE TO SEE A REAL EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE OF NOTICE: PINK TEMPORARY LICENSE. THE PINK TEMPORARY LICENSE IS DISCUSSED IN GREATER DETAIL IN TIP #5 BELOW. 

THE LAST PARAGRAPH OF THE PINK (LOOK FOR THE HEADING "HEARING INFORMATION") STATES THAT YOU HAVE ONLY 10 DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU RECEIVED THE NOTICE (USUALLY THE ARREST DATE, BUT NOT ALWAYS) TO ASK THE DMV FOR A HEARING (ITS CALLED AN ADMINISTRATIVE PER SE "APS" HEARING) IN SANTA ROSA OR PETALUMA IN ORDER TO STOP THE DMV'S AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THIS DMV SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION IS OTHERWISE AUTOMATIC ON THE DAY YOUR PINK LICENSE EXPIRES, AND IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FROM THE COURT'S PROCEEDINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MIGHT WIN IN COURT LATER IF WE SUCCEED IN HAVING YOUR CASE DISMISSED, BUT STILL LOSE YOUR LICENSE BECAUSE OF THIS APS PROCEEDING. 

CLICK ON  TEN TIPS TO GETTING YOUR LICENSE BACK  ON THIS SITE FOR A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE APS SUSPENSION AND THE SONOMA COUNTY COURT'S SEPARATE CONVICTION-RELATED SUSPENSION. YOU WILL BEGIN TO SEE WHY HIRING A LOCAL SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER TO DEFEND YOU AT THE SANTA ROSA DMV AND IN SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT IS A GOOD IDEA.

IF YOU HIRE A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER THEN THE LAWYER CAN (AND SHOULD) CONTACT THE SAN FRANCISCO DMV FOR YOU, BUT YOU OR YOUR LAWYER MUST REQUEST THIS HEARING WITHIN 10 DAYS OF YOUR ARREST IN ORDER TO BE CERTAIN TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO CHALLENGE ANY DMV LICENSE SUSPENSION LATER AT THE SANTA ROSA OR PETALUMA DMV. IF YOU MISS THIS DEADLINE, THEN IN MOST CASES YOU LOSE ANY ABILITY TO COMPLETELY PROTECT YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES. USUALLY, EARLY IN A DUI CASE BEFORE WE KNOW HOW THE ARRESTING OFFICER WILL DESCRIBE THE INCIDENT, THE BEST DEFENSIVE STRATEGY IS TO AGGRESSIVELY PRESERVE ALL OF YOUR OPTIONS BY MEANS SUCH AS A TIMELY AND PROPER REQUEST FOR A SANTA ROSA DMV HEARING.

PUBLIC DEFENDERS DO NOT HANDLE DMV.
IF YOU DECIDE YOU WANT AN ATTORNEY BUT YOU INTEND TO ASK FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE YOU QUALIFY FINANCIALLY, UNDERSTAND THAT THE SONOMA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS DO NOT HANDLE DMV CASES. AND EVEN IF THEY WOULD HANDLE DMV, THEY ARE NEARLY ALWAYS APPOINTED ONLY AFTER YOU APPEAR FIRST IN SANTA ROSA COURT, USUALLY WELL AFTER THE 10 DAYS FROM ARREST, BUT THE FACT IS THAT SONOMA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS ONLY HANDLE SONOMA COUNTY CRIMINAL CASES, AND SANTA ROSA DMV IS A SEPARATE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW PROCEEDING.  

HOW TO REQUEST THE HEARING.
IF YOU STILL WISH TO DO THIS YOURSELF, THEN YOU MAY TELEPHONE THE DMV AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED ON YOUR TEMPORARY LICENSE (OR CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HOW TO CONTACT A DMV DRIVER SAFETY OFFICE), AND THEN FOLLOW UP WITH A WRITTEN CERTIFIED RETURN RECEIPT MAILING TO THE PROPER ADDRESS ON THE TEMPORARY LICENSE. TO BE EFFECTIVE, YOU MAY WANT TO INCLUDE IN THE MAILING YOUR NAME, DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH, AND DATE OF ARREST. TO PRESERVE ALL OF YOUR OPTIONS, YOU MAY SPECIFICALLY REQUEST AN "IN-PERSON" HEARING IN SANTA ROSA OR PETALUMA (ASSUMING YOU LIVE IN SONOMA COUNTY OR WILL BE HIRING A LOCAL ATTORNEY). IF YOU ARE STILL CONSIDERING HIRING AN ATTORNEY, YOU MAY INFORM THE DMV OF THIS SO THAT THEY CAN WAIT TO SCHEDULE THE HEARING DIRECTLY WITH YOUR SONOMA COUNTY ATTORNEY AT A TIME THAT IS MUTUALLY AVAILABLE. 

TO BE FULLY PREPARED, YOU MAY ALSO REQUEST "DISCOVERY" WHICH IS THE PACKET OF INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE USED BY LOCAL SANTA ROSA OR PETALUMA DMV TO SUPPORT THE ULTIMATE DECISION WHETHER TO SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE. BY ASKING FOR THE DISCOVERY, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT DOCUMENTS THE DMV HAS COLLECTED TO BE USED AGAINST YOU, INCLUDING WHAT THE SANTA ROSA OR SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAID ABOUT YOUR CASE, HIS/HER REASONS FOR PULLING YOU OVER OR FIRST ENCOUNTERING YOU, YOUR PERFORMANCE ON ANY FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS, AND THE RESULTS OF THE BLOOD OR BREATH ALCOHOL TESTS, ETC. 

BEYOND 10 DAYS?
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE ALREADY OUTSIDE OF 10 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF YOUR ARREST, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LOCAL SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER IMMEDIATELY TO SEE IF YOU STILL HAVE TIME OR OTHERWISE FALL WITHIN A LIMITED NUMBER OF EXCEPTIONS TO THE 10-DAY RULE. FOR EXAMPLE, EVEN THOUGH THE TEN DAYS HAVE EXPIRED, THE CITING OFFICER MAY HAVE INCORRECTLY COMPLETED THE "ADMINISTRATIVE PER SE SUSPENSION/REVOCATION ORDER AND TEMPORARY DRIVER LICENSE," OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PINK TEMPORARY" (SEE BELOW). IF THE PINK IS INCORRECTLY FILLED OUT, THE DMV MAY SEND YOU A "14-DAY" NOTICE WITH A RENEWED OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST A DMV HEARING TO CHALLENGE THE PENDING SUSPENSION. CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS  14-DAY DMV RE-NOTICE. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS IF YOUR 10TH DAY FALLS ON A SUNDAY OR HOLIDAY, IN WHICH CASE YOU MAY HAVE ONE OR MORE EXTRA DAYS TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO FIGHT THE PENDING SUSPENSION. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT MAY NOT BE TOO LATE TO TRY TO SAVE YOUR LICENSE IF IT IS ABOUT TO BE SUSPENDED. A SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER CAN HELP YOU MOVE QUICKLY AND CORRECTLY IN THIS REGARD.

4.     CALENDAR YOUR COURT DATE

IF YOU IGNORE YOUR FIRST COURT DATE IN SANTA ROSA, OR FORGET TO APPEAR IN SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, THEN THE COURT WILL MOST LIKELY IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST. SUCH A DEVELOPMENT WOULD LEAD TO SEVERE INCONVENIENCE TO YOU, AND WOULD LATER LOOK BAD TO THE COURT. 

IF YOU CANNOT DECIDE WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOUR FIRST APPEARANCE, YOU MAY STAND UP IN COURT IN SANTA ROSA WHEN YOUR CASE IS CALLED, AND TELL THE JUDGE THAT YOU WANT ADDITIONAL TIME TO SPEAK WITH A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A PRIVATE LAWYER, THEN YOU MAY APPEAR AT THE FIRST COURT DATE AND BEFORE SAYING ANYTHING ELSE, ASK FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER TO BE APPOINTED (NOTE: SONOMA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS DO NOT CONTACT DMV FOR YOU OR HANDLE DMV HEARINGS). THE REASONS LISTED ABOVE FOR GETTING A LOCAL SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER APPLY WHETHER YOU ARE PAYING FOR ONE OR NOT. GET A LAWYER!

5.     SAVE THE PINK TEMPORARY LICENSE

THIS TEMPORARY LICENSE IS YOUR NEW LICENSE WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BE ON YOUR PERSON WHILE DRIVING, AND IT ALSO HAS IMPORTANT INFORMATION OF VALUE TO BOTH YOU AND YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER (SEE THE INFO IN TIP #3 ABOVE UNDER "CONTACT DMV." CLICK HERE TO SEE A REAL EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE OF NOTICE: PINK TEMPORARY LICENSE.  YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DMV REGARDING ISSUES CONSIDERED AT THE DMV HEARING, PENALTIES AND RESTRICTED LICENSES ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE PINK .  THE UNDER AGE 21 PROCEDURES IN SANTA ROSA AND SONOMA COUNTY ARE VERY SIMILAR. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FRONT SIDE OF THE UNDER AGE 21 PINK TEMP, AND HERE TO SEE THE REVERSE SIDE UNDER AGE PINK. MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EASING THE CONSEQUENCES AND GETTING YOUR LICENSE BACK CAN BE FOUND ON THIS SITE. AND IF YOU DIDN'T GET THIS PINK TEMPORARY LICENSE (SEARCH YOUR POCKETS FROM THE DAY OF ARREST, YOUR WALLET/PURSE AND YOUR VEHICLE WHERE SONOMA OR SANTA ROSA OFFICERS MAY HAVE PLACED IT FOR YOU), THEN TALK TO A LAWYER ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHY YOU MAY OR MAY NOT WISH TO ASK THE SONOMA COUNTY ARRESTING AGENCY FOR IT. 

NOTE THAT SOME LOCAL AGENCIES OUTSIDE SONOMA COUNTY, SUCH SOME POLICE AGENCIES IN MARIN, GENERATE THEIR DMV DOCUMENTS BY COMPUTER SO THE TEMPORARY LICENSE LOOKS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE EXAMPLES IN THE LINKS ABOVE, EXCEPT YOUR COPY IS TYPED AND WHITE RATHER THAN HANDWRITTEN AND PINK. CLICK HERE FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THIS COMPUTER GENERATED "PINK" TEMPORARY LICENSE.

6.     LOOK FOR AND PRESERVE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

IMPORTANT PHYSICAL EVIDENCE WILL DISAPPEAR QUICKLY. FIND AND SAVE RECEIPTS FROM ANY BAR, RESTAURANT OR LIQUOR OR RETAIL STORE, SAVE ANYTHING LEFT IN THE VEHICLE OR YOUR POCKETS THAT IN ANY WAY PERTAINS TO THE INCIDENT INCLUDING NAMES, TIMES AND ACTIVITIES, SAVE PHONE MESSAGES OR LATER BILLS THAT SHOW TIMES OF CALLS, ETC...

7.     PHOTOGRAPH THE SCENE

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THINGS SUCH AS YOUR ROUTE OR A LANE LINE YOU ALLEGEDLY WEAVED OVER (DON'T SNAP PICTURES WHILE DRIVING!), A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION WHICH YOU SUPPOSEDLY RAN THROUGH OR A SONOMA COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD YOU WERE DRIVING THROUGH, AN ILLEGAL TRAILER HITCH, A BROKEN TAIL LIGHT OR OTHER EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION (ESPECIALLY IF IT WASN'T BROKEN), ETC, AND THE SCENE OF THE ARREST AND/OR SOBRIETY TESTING, AND ANY DAMAGE TO A VEHICLE OR INJURY TO YOU OR OTHERS MAY BE IMPORTANT LATER WHEN THE ACTUAL EVIDENCE HAS DISAPPEARED.

8.     FIX TRIGGER PROBLEMS

IF YOU WANT TO AVOID AGGRAVATING THE JUDGE OR MAKING FUTURE ARRESTS 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 YOU ARE UNDER 21 YEARS OLD, GETTING A JOB AND/OR ENROLLING IN SCHOOL MAY INCREASE CHANCES OF GETTING A LIMITED LICENSE IF THERE ARE NO SUBSTANTIAL DEFENSES IN YOUR CASE. ALTHOUGH SONOMA COUNTY TRANSIT IS ADEQUATE IN MANY AREAS, 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 AFTER A SHORT SUSPENSION. CLICK ON  TEN TIPS TO GETTING YOUR LICENSE BACK  FOR DETAILS ON THE APPLICATION PROCESS INCLUDING THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA AND THE APPLICATION ITSELF.

IF YOUR ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS HIGH (OVER 0.16%), 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 COURTS WILL 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.

9.     AVOID FEAR & STRESS

OBVIOUSLY THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THE FEAR AND STRESS OF A DUI, IS TO AVOID DRINKING AND DRIVING ALTOGETHER. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE FACING A DUI, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT A FIRST DUI IS NOT A CATASTROPHE FOR MOST PEOPLE. A FIRST DUI TYPICALLY CARRIES LIGHTER PENALTIES AND CONSEQUENCES IN SONOMA COUNTY THAN MULTIPLE DUI CONVICTIONS. FOLLOWING AN ARREST A SANTA ROSA LAWYER CAN USUALLY HELP YOU AVOID JAIL AND HELP YOU THROUGH THE MAZE OF BUREAUCRATIC REQUIREMENTS TO GET YOUR LICENSE BACK AND ARRANGE SANTA ROSA FINES AND OTHER LOCAL COSTS TO BE PAID IN INSTALLMENTS. 

YOU CAN CLICK ON  TEN TIPS TO EASE THE CONSEQUENCES OF A DUI  ON THIS SITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO GET THROUGH THIS WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF PAIN AND INCONVENIENCE. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SEE WHY HIRING A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER CAN BE A TREMENDOUS HELP.

IN ADDITION, A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER CAN APPEAR FOR YOU IN SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT OR SANTA ROSA TRAFFIC COURT AND THE SANTA ROSA DMV SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO, WASTE TIME, AND BE EMBARRASSED, CONFUSED OR STRESSED. THIS IS TRUE FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST OUT-OF-TOWN TOURISTS AND VISITORS TO SONOMA COUNTY FOR WHOM IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE INCONVENIENT. 

10.     DON'T FOLLOW BAD ADVICE

NEVER BLINDLY FOLLOW LEGAL ADVICE OFFERED BY SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR AN EMPLOYEE AT THE SANTA ROSA DMV OR DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM. ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES WELL-INTENTIONED, STILL, POLICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE PAID TO ARREST YOU, CONVICT YOU, PUNISH YOU, AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT CASE. THEY DO NOT KNOW YOU, NOR DO THEY HAVE THE MOTIVATION, SKILL OR EXPERIENCE TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY SUBTLE LEGAL ISSUES IN A VERY COMPLICATED AREA OF THE LAW, OR TO GIVE YOU PRACTICAL ADVICE IN YOUR UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS SITUATION EASIER FOR YOU. 

IT IS ACTUALLY ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE TO GIVE YOU LEGAL ADVICE WITHOUT A LICENSE TO PRACTICE LAW, PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE MANY RULES AND LAWS WHICH CAN ADVERSELY OR BENEFICIALLY IMPACT YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION. MOREOVER, SIMPLE HUMAN NATURE DICTATES THAT THEIR ADVICE CAN OFTEN BE MOTIVATED BY MAKING THINGS EASIER ON THEM.   

FOR EXAMPLE, OFTEN SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WILL CONVINCE YOU TO TAKE THE BREATH TEST RATHER THAN THE BLOOD TEST, OR CONVINCE YOU NOT TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO GET A BLOOD TEST AFTER YOU TAKE THE BREATH TEST, BECAUSE A BLOOD TEST USUALLY REQUIRES EXTRA POLICE TIME AND EFFORT; YOU FOLLOW HIS/HER ADVICE, THE OFFICER SAVES TIME AND YOU LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN YOUR CASE. 

ANOTHER COMMON EXAMPLE OF BAD ADVICE IS A SONOMA COUNTY OFFICER OR SANTA ROSA DMV COUNTER CLERK STATING THAT YOU DON'T "NEED TO" OR "HAVE TO" GET A DMV HEARING AND YOU SHOULD JUST "WAIT" UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A NOTICE FROM DMV; BUT IF YOU DON'T ASK FOR A HEARING AND CHALLENGE THE DMV ADMINISTRATIVE SUSPENSION, YOU WILL LOSE ANY POSSIBILITY TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE PROCESS AND YOU WILL LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM A DRIVERS LICENSE SUSPENSION. 

YET ANOTHER COMMON EXAMPLE IS A DRINKING DRIVER PROGRAM EMPLOYEE STATING THAT YOU MAY NOT ENROLL UNTIL AFTER THE SONOMA COUNTY COURT CONVICTION OR UNTIL AFTER YOUR SAN FRANCISCO OR SANTA ROSA DMV CASE IS RESOLVED, OR THAT YOU SHOULD ENROLL IN THEIR SHORT PROGRAM RATHER THAN THE STANDARD PROGRAM REQUIRED BY THE DMV TO REISSUE YOUR LICENSE; POORLY CONCEIVED AND INACCURATE ADVICE LIKE THIS OFTEN CAUSES SOMEONE WITHOUT A LAWYER TO BE SUSPENDED LONGER THAN REQUIRED BY LAW. UNDERSTAND THAT COPS AND BUREAUCRATS WHO ARE FOND OF QUOTING RULES SELDOM SEE OR CARE FOR THE LARGER LEGAL PICTURE OR PROMOTING YOUR RIGHTS.

UNFORTUNATELY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO OBVIOUSLY DO CARE FOR YOU, STILL DON'T HAVE THE TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE, AND MAY BE MOTIVATED BY THEIR OWN FRUSTRATING HISTORY WITHOUT EVEN BEING AWARE OF IT. 

IF YOU WANT NO-NONSENSE, ACCURATE, THOUGHT-PROVOKING ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO, ASK AN EXPERIENCED, LOCAL SANTA ROSA ATTORNEY. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE LAWYER CONSULTATIONS; ITS ONE OF THE FEW TIMES YOU TRULY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHING TO GAIN.