Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.JakeLaw.com

Dave Jake Schwartz, Attorney at Law, PO Box 5604, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, 707-480-3383
Sonoma County DUI & DMV Phone Consultations Free from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Every Day

	akeLaw.com

HOME PAGE   ANATOMY OF A DUI   TEN TIPS   BUST CARD   BEST LINKS   ABOUT JAKE  

TEN TIPS FOR THE FIRST 48 HOURS AFTER A DUI ARREST IN SONOMA COUNTY

1. Write a Narrative	6. Preserve Evidence
2. Hire a Lawyer	7. Photograph Scene
3. Contact DMV	8. Fix Trigger Problems
4. Calendar Court Date	9. Avoid Fear & Stress
5. Save the Pink License	10. Don't Follow Bad Advice

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 ONLY THE FACTS WHICH ESTABLISH A PARTICULAR DEFENSE. THE MORE DETAILS YOU REMEMBER, THE BETTER THE CHANCES OF IDENTIFYING DEFENSES, APPEARING MORE CREDIBLE, 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.
YOU CAN BEGIN TO SEE WHY THIS TIP FOR HOW TO WRITE YOUR NARRATIVE IS SO EXTENSIVE IF YOU REVIEW TEN TIPS TO FIGHT A SONOMA COUNTY DUI, ON THIS SITE AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIND THE FACTS WHICH ESTABLISH ONE OR MORE OF THE MANY WAYS TO DEFEND A DUI. 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 RECALLED EACH TIME: WAS IT AT LAST CALL? 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 WHY, AND PRECISELY WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU STOP (INCLUDE HOW YOU RECALL 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? SRJC OR SSU POLICE? 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 FUNNY VIDEOS 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. 

PUBLIC DEFENDERS. 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.


View Larger Map

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 TYPICALLY CAN'T SPEND AS MUCH TIME WITH YOU AS CAN A PRIVATE LAWYER, BUT THEIR SERVICE IS EXCELLENT AND HIGHLY HONORED.

REPRESENTING YOURSELF. ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO REPRESENT YOURSELF ACCORDING TO THE US SUPREME COURT'S FARETTA RULING, UNDERSTAND THAT IN ANY CIVIL OR CRIMINAL CASE, IT IS NEARLY ALWAYS CONSIDERED A MISTAKE TO REPRESENT YOURSELF IN COURT. THIS IS BECAUSE THE OTHER SIDE (IN SONOMA COUNTY CRIMINAL CASES, THE OTHER SIDE IS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA) HAS ITS OWN HIGHLY TRAINED LAWYER (THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY), WITH A BANK OF ASSISTANT LAWYERS AND STAFF, BUT YOU DON'T IF YOU REPRESENT YOURSELF, AND THEREFORE YOU ARE AT A SEVERE DISADVANTAGE. IN ADDITION, YOU ARE BIASED AND SYMPATHETIC TO YOUR OWN SITUATION AND UNABLE TO OBJECTIVELY ADVISE YOURSELF OF YOUR OWN BEST INTERESTS. THIS IS TRUE EVEN FOR DEFENDANTS WHO ARE THEMSELVES LAWYERS AND IS THE FUNDAMENTAL REASON WHY "A LAWYER WHO REPRESENTS HIMSELF HAS A FOOL FOR A CLIENT." SEE ALSO THE SONOMA COUNTY COURT'S FARETTA WAIVER ADVISEMENTS AND WARNINGS IF YOU STILL WISH TO CONSIDER THIS ILL-ADVISED ALTERNATIVE TO AFFORDABLE COUNSEL.

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 ATTORNEY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE PRECISE AREA OF THE LAW IN WHICH YOU FIND YOURSELF. CONSIDER JUST A SAMPLE LISTING OF POSSIBLE DUI DEFENSES ON THIS SITE BY CLICKING ON TEN TIPS FOR FIGHTING A SONOMA COUNTY DUI. 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 SANTA ROSA BAIL COMPANY OFFICE 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 BELOW TO SEE EXAMPLES OF THE FORMS USED BY LOCAL BAIL COMPANIES IN SANTA ROSA:

 ALADDIN CERTIFICATE OF 8% PREMIUM

 ROMELLI CERTIFICATE OF 8% PREMIUM

TYPICALLY, YOU CAN ONLY QUALIFY FOR THE LOWER SANTA ROSA PRIVATE DUI DEFENSE ATTORNEY RATE IF YOU ACT WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME. FOR EXAMPLE, IN SONOMA COUNTY, ALADDIN'S LOWER PRIVATE ATTORNEY RATE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IF THE PRIVATE LAWYER WAS RETAINED WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF THE DATE THAT THE BAIL WAS ISSUED AND PROOF OF SUCH RETENTION IS RECEIVED BY THE BAIL COMPANY WITHIN 30 DAYS. 

LAWYERS SHOULD TELL YOU THAT LAWS RELATED TO RIGHT TO BAIL BY DUI ARRESTEES IN SONOMA COUNTY ARE GENERALLY FOUND IN PENAL CODE SECTIONS 1268-1320.5. BAIL BAIL COMPANIES ARE REGULATED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE. DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS MAY BE FOUND IN THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS AT TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5, SUBCHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 2, SECTIONS 2053-2104. YOU MAY FIND BAIL COMPANY LICENSE INFORMATION AND ANY RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT BY CLICKING ON BAIL AGENT LICENSE STATUS, AND ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE MORE COMMON QUESTIONS BY CLICKING BAIL FAQ'S AND HERE: MORE BAIL FAQ'S.

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 OF A SANTA ROSA LAWYER SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINING LOWER OR DISMISSED CHARGES AND PROTECTING YOUR DRIVER LICENSE, IS WELL WORTH A REASONABLE SANTA ROSA ATTORNEY FEE (TYPICALLY IN THE $1500-2500 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 YOUR ATTORNEY DETERMINES 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.

WILL YOUR ABSENCE BE NOTICED BY THE COURT OR REQUIRED BY YOUR ATTORNEY?   NO, AS DISCUSSED ABOVE, IN MOST CASES COURT APPEARANCES ARE STRICTLY PROCEDURAL. UNLESS SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PRESENT (SUCH AS A HIGH BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL ALLEGED, MULTIPLE PRIORS, OR A VIOLATION OF PROBATION), JUDGES DO NOT WISH TO SPEAK TO A DEFENDANT AT SUCH PROCEEDINGS. CLIENTS WHO LIVE IN SANTA ROSA, OR SONOMA COUNTY, RARELY, IF EVER, COME TO COURT IN TYPICAL DUI CASES. THIS DOESN'T MEAN YOU'LL BE LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT YOUR CASE. A GOOD ATTORNEY WILL EXPLAIN THE ENTIRE PROCESS. TO START, CLICK HERE TO SEE JAKE'S COMPREHENSIVE ANATOMY OF A SONOMA COUNTY DUI FLOWCHART. IN ADDITION, JAKE'S TECH KNOW-HOW CAN BE VERY HELPFUL TO AVOID THE NEED FOR CLIENT TRAVEL, MEETINGS OR APPEARANCES, ESPECIALLY AT THE PROCEDURAL BEGINNING OF A CASE. IF REQUESTED, WE .PDF  POLICE REPORTS AND OTHER CASE DOCUMENTS TO YOU WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER COURT APPEARANCES.

YOU CAN (AND SHOULD) CLOSELY FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF YOUR SONOMA COUNTY CASE BY REGULARLY COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR LAWYER 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.

BEWARE THE DRIVER LICENSE STING OPERATIONS.   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.

DON'T PAY A REIMBURSEMENT BILL FROM A POLICE AGENCY BEFORE SPEAKING TO A LAWYER!
YOU MIGHT GET A BILL. SOME POLICE AGENCIES ROUTINELY MAIL REIMBURSEMENT BILLS TO ATTEMPT TO RECOUP COSTS FOR ARRESTING YOU! EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY BE A SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYER AND MAY HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE CAR, AND THE SALARY OF THE POLICE OFFICER WHOSE ARREST YOU ARE NOW FIGHTING, STILL, IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES SONOMA COUNTY AGENCIES MAY TRY TO BILL YOU FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THEIR COSTS FOR THE ACTUAL ARREST INCIDENT PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53150. CLICK HERE TO SEE A CHP INVOICE, A CHP "SECOND NOTICE", OR HERE TO SEE A SANTA ROSA POLICE INVOICE.

ALTHOUGH AN INVOICE PURSUANT TO THIS LAW MAY BE VALID IF EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WERE REQUIRED TO RESPOND (FOR EXAMPLE AN AMBULANCE, PARAMEDICS OR FIRE TRUCKS RESPONDING TO AN ACCIDENT SCENE, OR MORE CHP OR SANTA ROSA OFFICERS TO MANAGE TRAFFIC INTERRUPTION), NEVERTHELESS, THE CALIFORNIA COURT OF APPEALS FOR SONOMA COUNTY HAS RULED THAT AN ORDINARY ARREST FOR DUI IS NOT A SUFFICIENT TRIGGER EVENT TO REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT TO SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDER THIS LAW. SEE,  CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL V. SUPERIOR COURT (ALLENDE) (1ST DIST 2006) 135 C.A.4TH 488. 

A RECENT EXAMPLE. A RECENT SONOMA COUNTY CHP INVOICE RECEIVED BY ONE OF JAKE'S DUI CLIENTS WHO WAS SUBJECTED TO A TYPICAL, UNEVENTFUL DUI ARREST, STATES THAT "THE DEFENDANT HEREIN SHALL PAY TO CHP THE TOTAL INDICATED BELOW" LISTING 5.2 PERSONNEL HOURS AND A TOTAL DUE OF $469.33. AFTER REVIEWING THIS CLIENT'S INCIDENT, AND THE INVOICE RECEIVED, JAKE WAS OUTRAGED BY THE INTIMIDATING AND MISLEADING "DEFENDANT SHALL PAY CHP" LANGUAGE IN THE INVOICE FROM AN AGENCY WHOSE LEADERS ARE SWORN TO UPHOLD AND ENFORCE THE LAW; HE ADVISED THIS INDIVIDUAL CLIENT NOT TO PAY THE BILL BASED ON THE FACTS IN HER CASE, AND FIRED OFF A COUNSEL'S REPLY LETTER ON HER BEHALF.

ALTHOUGH FAILURE TO PAY MAY RESULT IN A DEBT COLLECTION LAWSUIT (CIVIL, NOT CRIMINAL CASE), OR MAY CAUSE AN ITEM TO BE REFERRED TO THE FRANCHISE TAX BOARD OR A COLLECTION AGENCY RISKING A NEGATIVE CREDIT INCIDENT (MANY IF NOT MOST PEOPLE MAY NEVER HEAR FROM THE POLICE AGENCY AGAIN, ESPECIALLY IF THE ARREST WAS IN FACT UNEVENTFUL), SUCH POSSIBLE RISKS MAY BE ADDRESSED, MINIMIZED AND/OR NEGATED WITH VIGILANCE AND PROTEST WHEN THE CLAIMED DEBT IS DISPUTED AND INVALID ON ITS FACE. 

DUI DEFENDANTS SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT WITH A SANTA ROSA LAWYER ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF AN ARREST BEFORE BEING INTIMIDATED INTO PAYING ANY SUCH INVOICE FROM SONOMA COUNTY OR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

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 YOUR ATTORNEY SUCCEEDS 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.

OBTAINING A STAY ON THE PENDING SUSPENSION.
TYPICALLY THE PINK TEMPORARY GIVES THE HOLDER 30 DAYS DRIVING PRIVILEGES. BUT WHAT ABOUT AFTER THAT? IF YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER SUCCESSFULLY REQUESTS THE DMV HEARING WITHIN THE 10 DAYS FROM DATE OF ARREST, THEN THE DMV IS USUALLY REQUIRED TO STAY (POSTPONE) THE SUSPENSION WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSED FOLLOWING EXPIRATION OF THE 30-DAY PINK TEMPORARY, AND SEND THE ARRESTEE A NEW TEMPORARY LICENSE  WHICH IS INTENDED TO ALLOW DRIVING UNTIL THE OUTCOME OF THE HEARING. IN SONOMA COUNTY, THESE NEW TEMPORARY LICENSES ARE USUALLY ISSUED ONCE YOUR SANTA ROSA ATTORNEY SETS THE DATE OF HEARING A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER FIRST REQUESTING THE HEARING, AND USUALLY LAST FOUR MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE. THE NEW TEMP CAN BE EXTENDED OR SHORTENED DEPENDING ON WHEN THE DMV HEARING ISSUES ARE RESOLVED.

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.
NOTE THAT DIFFERENT ATTORNEYS MIGHT PROVIDE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INFORMATION TO DMV ABOUT YOU AND YOUR INCIDENT DEPENDING ON THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR CASE, SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO HIRE A SONOMA COUNTY ATTORNEY INSIDE THE TEN-DAY PERIOD, THEN ASKING YOUR ATTORNEY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS HEARING REQUEST ALLOWS HIM/HER TO PROCEED IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS. 

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, 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 FAILED TO SERVE YOU WITH, OR INCORRECTLY COMPLETED, THE "ADMINISTRATIVE PER SE SUSPENSION/REVOCATION ORDER AND TEMPORARY DRIVER LICENSE," OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PINK TEMPORARY" (SEE BELOW). IF THE PINK WAS NEVER GIVEN TO YOU, OR WAS INCORRECTLY FILLED OUT, THE DMV MAY SEND YOU A "14-DAY RENOTICE" WITH A RENEWED OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST A DMV HEARING TO CHALLENGE THE PENDING SUSPENSION. CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS 14-DAY DMV RE-NOTICE, OR THE SAME CONCEPT WITH A 10-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.

BE SURE DMV HAS YOUR CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS.
IF DMV HAS AN OLD MAILING ADDRESS (FOR EXAMPLE, OUTSIDE OF SONOMA COUNTY) THEN YOU MIGHT NOT RECEIVE CRITICAL NOTICES PROVIDING A TIME-SENSITIVE RIGHT TO A HEARING (SOMETIMES ONLY 10 DAYS), OR GIVING YOU A DATE FOR THE START OF A SUSPENSION, OR SENDING YOU A NEW TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT LICENSE, WHICH ARE USUALLY SENT TO YOU AT YOUR ADDRESS ON RECORD AT DMV. 

BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CODE REQUIRES YOU TO PROVIDE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO DMV WITHIN 10 DAYS OF OBTAINING A NEW ADDRESS, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO COMPLAIN IF DMV SENDS IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO AN OLD ADDRESS ON RECORD. IN ORDER TO ALLOW YOUR SONOMA COUNTY LAWYER TO REACT QUICKLY AND CHALLENGE WRONG OR UNFAIR DECISIONS OR PLANNED ACTIONS AGAINST YOU, YOU MUST ENSURE THAT DMV HAS YOUR CORRECT ADDRESS. YOU CAN VISIT THE SANTA ROSA OR PETALUMA SATELLITE DMV OFFICE TO SUBMIT A SONOMA COUNTY CHANGE OF ADDRESS, OR CLICK HERE TO  UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS ONLINE IF DMV HAS AN OLD ADDRESS.

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 BAILED OUT OF A SONOMA COUNTY JAIL, THEN MOST LIKELY THE JAILER OR YOUR BAIL COMPANY GAVE YOU YOUR FIRST DATE TO APPEAR. 

COURT DATE ON CITATION.  
IN MANY CASES YOU CAN FIND YOUR PROMISE TO APPEAR COURT DATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CITATION YOU WERE HANDED BY POLICE. CLICK BELOW TO SEE SAMPLES OF TYPICAL CITATIONS IN SONOMA COUNTY SHOWING AN ARRESTEE'S FIRST COURT DATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT SIDE, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE REVERSE:  

CHP CITATION

SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFF CITATION

SANTA ROSA POLICE DEPARTMENT CITATION

PETALUMA POLICE DEPARTMENT CITATION

CITY OF SONOMA CITATION

COURT DATE ON BAIL PAPERS.  
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A CITATION, OR IT HAS NO COURT DATE, BUT YOU BAILED OUT OF JAIL, THEN YOUR BAIL RECEIPT SHOULD HAVE YOUR COURT DATE LISTED. CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLES OF YOUR FIRST COURT DATE LISTED ON AN ALADDIN BAIL RECEIPT, OR ALADDIN STATEMENT OF CHARGES, OR A ROMELLI BAIL RECEIPT. IF YOU PAID A CASH BAIL DIRECTLY TO THE COURT RATHER THAN USING A BAIL COMPANY, THEN CLICK HERE TO SEE AN EXAMPLE OF A CASH BAIL RECEIPT PAGE WHERE THE FIRST COURT DATE IS HAND-WRITTEN AT THE BOTTOM, OR A SMALL JAIL RECEIPT WHERE THE FIRST COURT DATE IS PRINTED AT THE BOTTOM.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY CITE LETTER.  
SOMETIMES NO CITATION IS ISSUED AT THE TIME OF AN INCIDENT (OFTEN AFTER AN ACCIDENT), OR A DEFENDANT SHOWS FOR COURT AT THE TIME LISTED AND THERE ARE NO CHARGES, OR FOR SOME OTHER REASON A DEFENDANT RECEIVES A CITE LETTER FROM THE SONOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, LISTING THE CHARGES FILED, A FIRST COURT DATE TO APPEAR, AND TYPICALLY A REQUEST TO PRESENT FOR BOOKING AND RELEASE ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE COURT DATE IF BOOKING WAS NOT PERFORMED FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION. THIS IS THE TIME TO HIRE A LOCAL SANTA ROSA LAWYER IF NOT ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED.

WITH RESPECT TO THE REQUEST TO APPEAR FOR BOOKING, MOST LAWYERS ARE AWARE OF PC 853.6(g) WHICH ALLOWS FOR SUCH A BOOKING PROCEDURE, BUT THIS STATUTE PROVIDES THAT FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST TO PRESENT FOR BOOKING PRIOR TO COURT SIMPLY RESULTS IN AN ORDER FROM THE JUDGE TO DO SO BEFORE THE NEXT COURT APPEARANCE.

JUVENILE DRIVERS.  
JUVENILE DUI'S (UNDER AGE 18) ARE USUALLY TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN ADULT DUI'S IN SONOMA COUNTY. THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT IN SANTA ROSA IS TYPICALLY FIRST TO BECOME INVOLVED, AND WILL USUALLY CONTACT A JUVENILE AND HIS/HER PARENTS WITH A LETTER SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE ARREST, REQUESTING AN INTERVIEW ABOUT FAMILY LIFE, SCHOOL, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. CLICK HERE TO SEE AN EXAMPLE OF SUCH A PROBATION LETTER.

A LAWYER MAY ACCOMPANY THE JUVENILE AND PARENTS TO THIS PROBATION INTERVIEW. A DECISION WILL BE MADE WHETHER TO RECOMMEND SONOMA COUNTY JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS AT THE LOS GUILUCOS JUVENILE COURT IN SANTA ROSA.

HAVEN'T HIRED A LAWYER YET?  
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 A PRIVATE ATTORNEY OR USING A PUBLICALLY APPOINTED ATTORNEY. 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 AN EXAMPLE OF THE UNDER AGE 21 PINK TEMPORARY LICENSE. 

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. A SONOMA ATTORNEY MAY BE ABLE TO SAVE YOU ENORMOUS INCONVENIENCE. 

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

YOUR SONOMA COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT 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 ALLEGED ILLEGAL TRAILER HITCH, 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 CRITICALLY 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. 

LICENSING AND EQUIPMENT
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. 

UNDER 21 EMPLOYMENT OR SCHOOL
IF YOU ARE UNDER AGE 21 AND THIS IS YOUR FIRST ALCOHOL-RELATED DRIVING CASE, AND IF THERE ARE NO VIABLE DEFENSES IN THIS MATTER, THEN YOU MAY ULTIMATELY QUALIFY FOR RESTRICTED DRIVING PRIVILEGES RATHER THAN THE ONE-YEAR SUSPENSION YOU ARE NOW FACING. IF YOU AND YOUR SANTA ROSA ATTORNEY CAN ADEQUATELY SHOW THE SACRAMENTO DMV THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN YOUR AREA OF SONOMA COUNTY IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR TRANSPORT TO AND FROM WORK OR SCHOOL, THEN YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE.  THEREFORE YOU MAY WISH TO START CONSIDERING YOUR SCHOOL AND/OR EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS. CLICK HERE TO BROWSE LOCAL COLLEGE CLASSES AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE, AND EMPIRE COLLEGE. YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO CONSIDER APPLYING FOR A BUILDING TRADES APPRENTICESHIP. CLICK HERE FOR COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF AVAILABLE CALIFORNIA APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CONTACT INFORMATION. SOME APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN SANTA ROSA AND SURROUNDING SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTY, SUCH AS CEMENT MASONS, ELECTRICIANS, OPERATING ENGINEERS, PLUMBERS & REFER MECHANICS, AND SOUND & COMMUNICATION. 

TO GET THIS RESTRICTED LICENSE, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT ALTERNATE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ARE INADEQUATE TO TRAVEL TO WORK AND/OR SCHOOL, AND, ALTHOUGH SONOMA COUNTY TRANSIT IS ACTUALLY 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.

ALCOHOL ABUSE OR ADDICTION
IF YOUR ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS HIGH (OVER 0.15%), OR IF THIS IS YOUR SECOND OR HIGHER DUI, OR OTHER AGGRAVATING ALLEGATIONS ARE PRESENT SUCH AS EVADING, ENDANGERMENT OR HIT AND RUN, 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. OFTEN, SONOMA COUNTY COURTS WILL REWARD VOLUNTARY PRE-SENTENCE SELF-HELP BECAUSE IT DEMONSTRATES PERSONAL AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND A LOWER LIKELIHOOD OF RE-OFFENDING. REWARD CAN INCLUDE CREDITS FOR JAIL TIME OR LOWER FINES. ONE MEETING PER DAY OR THREE OR MORE PER WEEK, AND PERHAPS ADDITIONAL OUT-PATIENT COUNSELING MAY BE VERY IMPRESSIVE TO A SANTA ROSA JUDGE. DISCUSS YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR ATTORNEY.

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. SAVE THE ORIGINALS AND GIVE COPIES TO YOUR SANTA ROSA LAWYER.

ARRESTEES WITH HIGH ALCOHOL LEVELS AND/OR MULTIPLE PRIOR DUI'S MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE COURTS WILL ASSUME YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH ALCOHOL IN YOUR LIFE (PROBABLY FAIR CONSIDERING THE INCREASING TROUBLE YOU MAY BE FACING NOW). YOU MAY WISH TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF TREATMENT SUCH AS KAISER OUTPATIENT OR RESIDENTIAL REHAB TO AVOID INCREASED PENALTIES OR BEING JAILED DURING THE COURT PROCEEDINGS IF THERE ARE NO SUBSTANTIAL DEFENSES IN YOUR CASE. CLICK HERE TO SEE A SAMPLE KAISER SCHEDULING COMMITMENT. DAY-FOR-DAY JAIL CREDITS CAN OFTEN BE OBTAINED FOR CONTROLLED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT ACCOMPLISHED PRIOR TO SENTENCING. 

CLICK ON BEST LINKS ON THIS SITE, AND LOOK AT THE LAST SECTION OF THE FIRST "SELF-HELP" COLUMN FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF LOCAL SONOMA COUNTY OUT-PATIENT AND RESIDENTIAL REHAB SERVICES, AND ALSO LOOK AT RELEVANT LINKS UNDER "DUI COMPLIANCE" TO VIEW OTHER SANTA ROSA AND SONOMA COUNTY DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS. YOU MAY ALSO CLICK ON EASE THE CONSEQUENCES ON THIS SITE AND GO TO JAIL ALTERNATIVES FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SONOMA COUNTY'S NEW "DUI COURT" INTENSIVE ONE YEAR OUT-PATIENT JAIL ALTERNATIVE.

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. THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT LOCAL ATTORNEYS DO BEST.

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 ACT ON CASUAL OR BAD ADVICE

EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE
NEVER BLINDLY FOLLOW LEGAL ADVICE OFFERED BY SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, OR AN EMPLOYEE AT THE SANTA ROSA DMV, OR AT THE 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 INDIVIDUAL SITUATION.

A SONOMA COUNTY OFFICER RECENTLY BOASTED TO ONE OF JAKE'S CLIENTS THAT HE HAS "NEVER LOST A DUI CASE." THIS IS A RARE ADMISSION BY A LOCAL VETERAN OFFICER THAT HE IS NOT A NEUTRAL PARTY IN YOUR CASE. IT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO CONCLUDE THAT COPS MAY TEND TO HAVE A SENSE OF INVESTMENT AND PRIDE IN THE OUTCOME OF AN ARREST. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE OFFICERS WILL TESTIFY AGAINST YOU. 

CLICK ON  BUST CARD  ON THIS SITE FOR MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS AND SONOMA COUNTY POLICE, AND THINKING BEFORE YOU SPEAK OR ACT WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THE POLICE. GIVEN THESE REALITIES, WHY WOULD YOU ASK FOR OR FOLLOW LEGAL ADVICE FROM ANY OFFICIAL PAID TO BRING YOU DOWN, WHO DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THE TRAINING TO IDENTIFY AND PROCESS ALL THE COMPLEXITIES ANYWAY? MOREOVER, SIMPLE HUMAN NATURE DICTATES THAT THEIR ADVICE WILL MORE OFTEN BE MOTIVATED BY MAKING THINGS EASIER ON THEM.   

EXAMPLES
FOR EXAMPLE, OFTEN SONOMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WILL SUBTLY 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 YOUR ATTORNEY LOSES 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. A RECENT CLIENT RELATED THAT WHEN SHE CALLED TO ASK FOR A HEARING, THE DMV EMPLOYEE STATED "HERE'S WHAT YOU DO: GET AN SR-22 AND YOU'LL GET YOUR LICENSE BACK!" AN ATTORNEY WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS "ADVICE" COMPLETELY OVER-SIMPLIFIED, BUT IN ADDITION, IF YOU DON'T SUCCESSFULLY 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.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY
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. 

LAWYERS
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.