DUI Lawyer in Elk Grove and the Sacramento Suburbs
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A first DUI arrest in Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Carmichael, Antelope, West Sacramento or Roseville can feel like your whole routine is on hold. In practice, two things start right away: a license case with the California DMV and a criminal case in Superior Court. The United Firm | La Liga Defensora, A.P.C. has a Sacramento office and defends first-offense DUI cases across Sacramento and Yolo counties and at the Roseville courthouse in Placer County. You can talk with us, and hire us, by phone.
The DMV clock: 10 days
If your test showed 0.08% or more, or you declined testing, the officer usually took your license and handed you a pink 30-day temporary license. You have 10 days from the arrest to ask the DMV for an Administrative Per Se hearing (Vehicle Code 13558). If you miss that window, a first-offense suspension (generally four months after a test, one year after a refusal) begins automatically when the temporary license ends. Requesting the hearing usually keeps you driving while it is pending and lets us review the officer’s report and the test records early.
Which county, which courthouse
Where you were arrested decides where the case goes, and the suburbs around Sacramento cross county lines:
- Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Carmichael and Antelope are in Sacramento County. Cases are filed by the Sacramento County District Attorney. Cases are heard by the Sacramento County Superior Court, and your citation or release paperwork lists the courthouse and date of your first appearance.
- Roseville and Rocklin are in Placer County. Cases are filed by the Placer County District Attorney and heard at the Bill Santucci Justice Center, 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville.
- West Sacramento is in Yolo County, so a DUI there is a Yolo County case heard at the Yolo Superior Court, 1000 Main Street, Woodland.
Arrests come from city police departments (Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Roseville, West Sacramento), the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office (which also polices Rancho Cordova by contract), and the California Highway Patrol on Highway 99, I-5, I-80 and US-50. We request the reports and video from whichever agency arrested you.
Your first court date
The arraignment date is on your release paperwork. In many misdemeanor DUI cases, an attorney can appear for you under Penal Code 977 with your written consent, though a judge can require you to be there in a DUI case. We tell you in advance which dates need you personally.
What a first DUI can carry
A first DUI under Vehicle Code 23152(a) or (b) without injury is normally a misdemeanor. Penalties allowed by law include informal probation, fines with penalty assessments, a licensed DUI program (usually three months for a first offense, longer at 0.20% or above), and a court-ordered license suspension. Many first offenders can drive on a restricted license, often with an ignition interlock device. Outcomes depend on the evidence, and we do not promise results.
How we test the evidence
- Was there a lawful reason for the stop or detention?
- Were field sobriety tests explained and scored properly, given the conditions and any medical issues?
- Do the breath device’s calibration and maintenance records meet California’s Title 17 requirements, and was the 15-minute observation period followed?
- Was the blood sample drawn, stored and tested correctly, and is a retest of your sample worthwhile?
- Does the timeline of drinking, driving and testing support the reported result?
- What do the body-camera and dash-camera recordings actually show?
Depending on the answers, possible paths include a motion to suppress evidence, negotiating for a reduced charge, or taking the case to trial. You make the decision; we make sure you understand each option.
Start by phone
Call to talk through your arrest. You can sign a written fee agreement from your phone, and we can request your DMV hearing the same day. If more than 10 days have already passed, call anyway; the court case still needs attention.
Frequently asked questions
Where is a DUI from Elk Grove heard?
Elk Grove is in Sacramento County, so the case is filed by the Sacramento County District Attorney. Your citation or release paperwork lists the Sacramento County courthouse for your first appearance.
I was arrested in Roseville. Is that a Sacramento case?
No. Roseville is in Placer County. The case is filed by the Placer County District Attorney and heard at the Bill Santucci Justice Center in Roseville.
How soon do I need to act on my license?
Within 10 days of the arrest you need to request a DMV hearing, or the suspension generally begins automatically when your temporary license expires.
Can my lawyer go to court for me?
In many misdemeanor DUI cases, yes, under Penal Code 977. A judge can still require you to attend certain hearings.
Will I lose my license completely?
Not necessarily. Many first offenders can drive on a restricted license, often with an ignition interlock device. It depends on your test result, any refusal and your driving record.
Arrested for DUI in Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova or Roseville? Call (855) 636-0550 for a free phone consultation. We can request your DMV hearing, and you can hire us by phone.
Related pages
Attorney Advertising. NotGuilty.com is a website of The United Firm | La Liga Defensora, A.P.C., 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Attorney responsible for this page: Shawn F. Matian (Cal. Bar No. 244148). The domain name is not a promise or prediction of any result. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
