Following a persons arrest for DUI, he or she may be released on their own recognizance (OR) by the law enforcement agency.  This means the person is released from custody after promising to appear in court.  The person is usually asked to sign a written promise to appear which provide the cou...

Many DUI cases are filed at the Van Nuys Courthouse, located at 14400 Erwin Street in Van Nuys (Van Nuys is a community within the city of Los Angeles). This is due to the large jurisdictional area of the Van Nuys Court, which covers a large geographical area of San Fernando Valley. 

Successful completion of an approved California traffic violator school effectively results in the traffic violation being dismissed.  There will still be a conviction on your record but it will be "confidential."  This means that there will not be a point assessed to your California DMV driving ...

If you are arrested for DUI and there was a child in your vehicle with you at the time, you are subject to additional criminal penalties.  Vehicle Code Section 23572 allows prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties if the child was under the age of 14.  Prosecutors may charge you under this section ...

If you want to fight your ticket, the first step is to schedule an arraignment date.  When you appear on this date in traffic court you will enter a "not guilty" plea.  The traffic court judge will then schedule a trial.  You will be ordered to appear on this date.  If you fail to appear, there a...

The city of Beverly Hills runs a very active red light camera program.  These photographic devices are also known as "automated enforcement systems" and are allowed under California law.  These devices are usually located on traffic signals at intersections.  They consist of a camera which is tri...

California law prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from texting or using a wireless device, e.g. a cell phone, in any manner while driving.  Vehicle Code Section 23123.5 only allows such use if "the wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and c...

This is the question that many drivers ask after receiving a traffic ticket.  If the officer observed you commit an alleged violation, he or she would have pulled you over and written or typed the citation listing the violations they claim you violated.  You would have signed the citation promisi...

All repeat DUI offenders in California, as well as some first time offenders, must install an ignition interlock device (IID) in any vehicle they own or operate before they can get their driver's license re-issued.  How long the IID must remain installed depends on the particular driving record o...

A California licensed driver is eligible to attend traffic school for one violation every 18 months.  There are a couple of great benefits to attending and completing traffic school.  No points will be assessed to your DMV driving record.  There will be a conviction on your record but it will be ...

California's implied consent law requires a driver arrested on suspicion of DUI to submit to either a breath or blood test.  

If you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) your California driver's license will be suspended.  The length of suspension will be determined by a number of factors, including the number of prior offenses you have, whether or not the DUI involved injury, how high your blood alcohol c...

I am frequently asked whether or not a person is required to take field sobriety tests (aka FST's) if a police officer asks them to do so.  The answer to that questions is no, however if the person is already on probation for a previous DUI conviction that may be in violation of probation if they...

A person convicted of DUI may be ordered by either the Court or the DMV to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in any vehicle that they own or operate.  In fact, for repeat DUI offenders or first time offenders with a case involving an injury, an IID will be required by DMV before they wil...