Benton, CA DUI Law Firms & Lawyers

It is impossible to tell you whether or not you can get a reduction without knowing more about the case, but a good criminal defense attorney will know how to handle it. DUIs have become very complicated cases and you stand a much better chance in getting the best result possible with an experienced criminal defense attorney, one who knows the law and procedure and is not hesitant to take a case to trial if that is what it takes. If you have privately retained (hired) your own attorney you can discharge him and hire another attorney. If you have a public defender who was appointed by the court you are not entitled to select another one simply because you want another attorney. But there is a procedure for discharging him/her if he/she is not properly handling your case. If you ask the judge to address him on this issue he will conduct a hearing and decide if another attorney should be appointed for you.

If you attorney is still involved with the case, it sounds like charges were actually filed. I would suggest simply contacting the clerks office for the court and giving them your last name and asking if any case has been filed against you. Not sure what else I can tell you.

You might get diversion, you might get a year in jail. Neither is likely on a first DUI. You are always entitled to represent yourself in court. Whether you should is a different issue. The conventional wisdom is that an attorney will be able to do a better job and get a better outcome. Prosecutors and judges don't like dealing with ProPers, unless you are simply pleading guilty, not defending the case. The honest answer is that no attorney can predict the outcome, nor even give an intelligent opinion, without reviewing and knowing all the charges, evidence, police reports, expected testimony, priors history, etc. A little free advice: When arrested for DUI, whether alcohol or drugs, then upon release from jail or booking the defendant is given documents that include a notice that you have only ten days to file a request with DMV for a hearing on an appeal of the automatic suspension of your license imposed by DMV upon your arrest. That is separate and runs consecutively with any suspension that may be imposed by the DMV, or the court upon conviction. Contact DMV and do so, timely, then appear at your scheduled DMV appeal hearing and present any supporting evidence and testimony. If you do not win the appeal, you can still apply later for a restricted license for to/from work and school, etc., after serving at least of the full suspension period. If you don't know how to do these things effectively, then hire an attorney that does. When arrested or charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a test, search or confession be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do? While this isn't a 'capital case', you certainly face fines and potential jail, so handle it right. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney who does, who will try to get a dismissal, charge reduction, diversion, program, or other decent outcome through plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate.