Law Office of John Hamasaki Bay Area Criminal Defense

The Law Office of John Hamasaki was established with the goal of providing vigorous legal defense to individuals under investigation or facing criminal charges. If you are being charged with a crime, from a DUI to drugs to crimes of violence, you need an attorney with the strength to stand beside you and fight for you throughout this difficult process. Mr. Hamasaki has dedicated his career to defending those accused of crimes, working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome under difficult circumstances.

At the Office, we understand the degree to which a criminal charge can disrupt your life, causing anxiety and stress for you and your loved ones. Clients represented by the Office can be assured that Mr. Hamasaki will take the time to guide you through the process and keep you informed and aware at all stages of the case.

Please contact the Office today to arrange a free and confidential consultation. Mr. Hamasaki will work with you to ensure that you make the right decision in the selection of a lawyer to represent you in this matter.

Law Office of John Hamasaki

1112 Bryant Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: (415) 525-4245
Fax: (415) 618-0073
john@hamasakilaw.com

Jeffrey Michael Judd

Jeffrey Judd, a veteran of “big law” for over 20 years – including 10 years as a partner of O’Melveny & Myers LLP – earned a stellar reputation for leading teams that successfully resolved major disputes for some of the largest businesses in the world. He became convinced that the scale of a big law firm often hinders the ability to provide the most responsive, cost-effective and efficient solutions to many legal problems. Judd Law Group was formed to provide businesses with the means to obtain the experience, judgment and quality of a big firm and the responsiveness, personal attention and cost structure of a boutique. Judd Law Group focuses on complex litigation involving:

• business practices,
• property, and
• products

Being small and independent allows Judd Law Group to provide the exceptional legal expertise and depth of experience normally available only to those clients to whom cost is a minor concern. We achieve cost-effective, high-quality results and provide extraordinary personal service through:

• a strategic approach that allocates litigation resources only to efforts that further client objectives;
• careful planning and budgeting;
• creative alternative fee arrangements that reward achievement of client objectives and discourage unnecessary work;
• regular communication about goals, options, costs, and results;
• effective use of technology, longstanding relationships with litigation support providers, and a select pool of legal talent available for project work;
• strategic, selective use of alternative dispute resolution procedures; and
• demonstrating at every stage the commitment and ability to take any case to trial and win.

We invite you to browse this Web site to become acquainted with our broad practice capabilities and extensive experience.

If you are facing or considering legal action, need advice from an exceptional, seasoned lawyer, or have any questions, please call or send us an email. Judd Law Group can help you to resolve disputes with the creativity and excellence that has characterized Mr. Judd’s legal career for over two decades.

Judd Law Group
222 Sutter Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94108
415.597.5500
888.308.7686 (fax)

from

ROBLES & TANTRAPHOL, PLC

RAYMUND ROBLES

Raymund F. Robles concentrates on the representation of selected civil and criminal matters. Mr. Robles has defended individuals and businesses facing a variety of criminal liabilities and offenses, from internal and law enforcement investigations, through trials, and post-conviction relief proceedings.  He has also successfully represented individuals and companies in the areas of business and contractual disputes.

Mr. Robles has discretely navigated legal issues for clients in sensitive positions due to their employment or status in the community. He has assisted professionals, artists, and entrepreneurs faced with varying legal issues.
Before co-founding Robles & Tantraphol, Mr. Robles served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of California. In that capacity, Mr. Robles conducted the appellate prosecution of adult and juvenile felony cases before the United States District Court, the California Supreme Court, the California Court of Appeal, and local trial courts, obtaining a 99% success rate.

Mr. Robles also worked as a Trial Attorney for the Public Defender's Office. As Deputy Public Defender, he effectively represented thousands of individuals charged with an assortment of misdemeanor and felony offenses, from first-time DUI's to serious felonies with "Three Strikes" consequences.

Thereafter, Mr. Robles joined a civil litigation and transactions firm where he practiced general civil litigation, contracts and business dispute throughout California. 

Mr. Robles is also a former intern with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Juvenile Prosecutions Division, where he conducted trials (adjudications), resulting in a 100% win record.

Mr. Robles received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the California Polytechnic University. At Hastings, Mr. Robles was a member of the editorial board of the Hastings International & Comparative Law Review and a recipient of a number of academic and community service awards.

Mr. Robles' appellate cases cited in the official case reporters include:People v. Daugherty (1996) 50 Cal.App.4th 275; In re Tanya B. (1996) 43 Cal.App.4th 1; People v. Davis (1996) 42 Cal.App.4th 806; People v. Fonseca (1995) 36 Cal.App.4th 631; and People v. Flynn (1995) 31 Cal.App.4th 1387.

Mr. Robles has spoken on a variety of issues at legal events, has appeared on television as legal commentator, and has had his cases published in newspapers. His present or former professional memberships and activities include the following: California Public Defenders Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, San Mateo County Bar Association, and American Bar Association.

Mr. Robles has been recognized as one of the top 2.5 percent of attorneys in California for four straight years, as featured in Los Angeles Magazine and Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Stars Edition.  He was selected for this award in 2004, 2005, 2006, and againin 2007.  Click here for more details on achieving this distinction.  In 2009, Mr. Robles was one of KRON4's Best of the Bay TV, Best Lawyers in the Bay Area nominee.

Mr. Robles successfully obtained a dismissal of all 10 felony counts on behalf of a Deputy Sheriff client, facing significant prison and fine exposure.  He also prevented the prosecution of a materials scientist and engineer for computer hacking, a medical provider for elder abuse, a number of Silicon Valley professionals with varying potential criminal charges - ranging from vandalism, domestic violence and commercial burglary, as well as a Southern California executive facing multiple years' prison exposure for fraud.

On the civil side, Mr. Robles has achieved favorable resolutions in a number of commercial landlord-tenant disputes, represented start-ups in diverse industries, attained significant monetary awards in serious personal injury and employment matters, and recently, resolved a contractual dispute worth over $3 million.

FLORENCE V. TANTRAPHOL

Ms. Tantraphol has experience on both sides of the criminal law arena.  She is a former Deputy District Attorney in Northern and Southern California and she was also a trial attorney with the Alternate Public Defender's Office.

As a Deputy District Attorney in San Mateo County, she prosecuted numerous criminal matters that occurred in South San Francisco, San Mateo, San Carlos, San Bruno, Redwood City, Pacifica, Millbrae, Menlo Park, Foster City, East Palo Alto, Daly City, Burlingame, Brisbane, Atherton, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Colma, Woodside, and other surrounding areas, attaining a 100% win record.

Ms. Tantraphol also served as Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County. During her tenure at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Ms. Tantraphol handled cases out of Silverlake, Echo Park, Hollywood, Mid-City, Downtown, Pico-Union, Koreatown, Alhambra, Santa Anita, Monterey Park, Rosemead, Temple City, East Los Angeles, Montebello, City of Commerce, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, Airport, El Segundo, and Inglewood.

As a Deputy District Attorney, she participated in all areas of prosecution of wide ranging criminal violations, from traffic infractions, white-collar offenses, to serious and violent felonies, including rape, attempted murder, and robbery.

As a Deputy Alternate Public Defender, she defended the rights of people accused of theft, possession, solicitation, distribution, being under the influence of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, dui, fraud, shoplifting, petty theft, grand theft, prostitution, domestic violence, criminal threats, white-collar crimes, lewd conduct, vandalism, gang allegations, robbery, assault, GBI, battery, harboring a fugitive, obstructing, resisting arrest, hit and run, car jacking, car theft, reckless driving, evading arrest, credit card fraud, weapons offenses, suspended drivers' license, and many other offenses.

Ms. Tantraphol also worked for a civil litigation firm in Santa Monica where she handled business litigation matters, personal injury, and workers compensation claims.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Tantraphol assisted in managing multi-million dollar accounts for Wilshire Associates, a global investment technology, consulting, and management firm.
Ms. Tantraphol received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, where she attained the distinction of Dean's Scholar and inclusion in the Dean's List. She earned her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law, where she received the American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Research and Writing, as well as a number of scholarships from the Beverly Hills Bar Association. Ms. Tantraphol was a member of Southwestern's Moot Court Honors Team, where she received awards for her advocacy during competition.

Ms. Tantraphol's present and former professional memberships and activities include the following: American Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Southern California Chinese Lawyers' Association, and San Mateo County Bar Association.

Various newspapers have published a number of Ms. Tantraphol's cases.  Ms. Tantraphol has been selected for recognition in Cambridge Who's Who for 2006/07, Among Executive and Professional Women "Honors Edition", Strathmore's Who's Who in the years of 2002, 2003 and 2004, for inclusion in IBC's Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century, IBC Living Legend and Worldwide Honors Lists, 2003-2004/05, and Cambridges Who's Who among Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs for 2008-2009. 

In 2007, Ms. Tantraphol successfully represented one of the defendants in the highly publicized case involving Khai Van Ninh, at that time, the largest auto insurance fraud case in Santa Clara County's history.

In 2008, 2009, and again in 2010, Ms. Tantraphol was recognized as one of the top 2.5 percent of criminal defense attorneys in California, as featured in the July 2008, 2009, and 2010 editions of the Los Angeles Magazine and Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Stars Edition.  Click here for more details on achieving this distinction. 

J. CHRISTOPHER SMITH

J. Christopher Smith, of the Law Offices of J. Christopher Smith, has successfully defended clients charged with homicide and attempted homicide, narcotics sales and possession, rape, bank robbery, strike allegations, driving under the influence, petty theft, juvenile cases, and a host of other criminal matters. He has tried a significant number of jury trials with remarkable results. 

In addition, he has used his litigation and negotiation skills to advocate for juveniles in the juvenile justice system, individuals facing probation violations, and those with parole revocation concerns.
Among other cases, Mr. Smith was involved with the representation and defense of Giovanni Ramirez, in connection with the beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium (NBC News).  Mr. Smith represented celebrity attorney Howard K. Stern, on conspiracy charges relating to Anna Nicole Smith (TMZ), as well as with the defense of hip-hop rapper T.I. and his wife (CNN), and with the legal representation of Grammy-winning singer Faith Evans (NY Daily News).
Before affiliating with Robles & Tantraphol, PLC, Mr. Smith was a Trial Attorney with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. There, he successfully managed a significant caseload and effectively represented thousands of clients charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses throughout Los Angeles County.
Mr. Smith is also a former associate of a Downtown Los Angeles firm where he litigated labor, employment, and business law matters.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Smith worked for the Los Angeles County Superior Court as a judicial assistant, where he operated as court manager in criminal, civil, and family law courtrooms. He was also employed with the National Criminal Defense College, where he assisted with the implementation of continuing legal education programs for attorneys in the area of criminal defense.

Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles and his law degree from Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, on scholarship and as a quarterfinalist in moot court competition. He is licensed to practice law in California and Georgia.

Mr. Smith is also an expert legal commentator on television (ABC7 News) and on the web (Jerry Sandusky and Bernie Fine), has had his cases published in newspapers, been included in the 16th Edition of Who's Who Among American Law Students, and was a recruiter and representative for Mercer University School of Law.   Mr. Smith is formerly general counsel and secretary for the UCLA Black Alumni Association, and remains a member of the UCLA and UCLA Black Alumni Associations.

Mr. Smith appeared on television as one of the top 12 lawyers in the nation to compete in NBC's "The Law Firm", a legal reality series created by David E. Kelly, Executive producer of "The Practice", "Ally McBeal", and "LA Law."
  

ROBLES & TANTRAPHOL, PLC

500 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2300, Los Angeles, CA 90071
580 California Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104
 4920 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA 94022

Tel:  (800) 998-6988
Fax: (866) 890-0480
email:  info@rtlawyers.com

from

Eloy Ivan Trujillo

a San Francisco Bay Area Criminal Defense Law Firm

The Law Offices of Eloy I. Trujillo provides representation in a range of criminal defense matters including:

• Criminal Appeals & Writs
• Driving Under the Influence - DUI
• California DMV
• Narcotics & Medical Cannabis Defense
• Domestic Violence
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Sex Crimes
• White Collar Crime

With a practice focused exclusively on criminal defense, we provide representation in courts throughout the entire San Francisco Bay Area region, including: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa and Solano counties. Our mission is to provide quality representation tailored to our clients' individual needs and resources.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Trujillo worked as a Deputy Public Defender, legal aid lawyer, and as a staff attorney with the statewide non-profit impact litigation firm, Prison Law Office. During his career, he has worked in a variety of practice areas, including criminal defense, correctional mental health, and parole suitability.

Education: J.D., Stanford Law School, 2001. B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1998.

Community Activities: Asian Law Alliance of Santa Clara County, Board of Directors; Myanmar Community, Board Advisory Committee, Daly City, CA; Public Interest Clearinghouse, Event Planning Committee; National Lawyers Guild – SF Chapter; Homeless Court, Attorney Volunteer. Professional Affiliations: State Bar of California, First District Appellate Project, Central California Appellate Program, California Public Defenders' Association, Alameda County Bar Association, San Francisco Bar Association.

San Francisco Office
870 Market Street Suite 778
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 633 6444

from

David Jonathan Cohen

Mr. Cohen is an experienced criminal defense attorney. He has tried over 45 federal and state criminal cases to juries and briefed and argued more than 60 federal and state criminal appeals. He has experience working with both major law firms and with the government. He has defended criminal cases, both state and federal, large and small, first as a federal public defender in San Diego, California, then as a partner in firms he has founded and managed.

Mr. Cohen began his legal career in New York City, practicing with two well-known law firms, Brown & Wood, L.L.P. and Kostelanetz Ritholz Tigue & Fink. At Kostelanetz Ritholz, a nationally recognized white collar criminal defense firm, Mr. Cohen successfully defended a number of criminal and civil cases, including the defense at trial of an individual alleged to have violated the federal laws against hijacking and winning judgment in a federal tax court case involving the use of a complex tax shelter.

Mr. Cohen then relocated to California. He joined the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., widely acknowledged to be one of the best public defender offices in the country. As a trial attorney at Federal Defender's of San Diego, Inc., he defended hundreds of criminal defendants on a wide variety of matters ranging from drug offenses and violent crimes to complex fraud cases. Despite limited resources, he was able to win acquittal, hung jury or dismissal in the majority of cases he tried at the federal defenders office. He also lectured on criminal defense topics, and authored an article for the Federal Defender Manual, which is nationally circulated.

Following his service as a federal public defender, Mr. Cohen formed the law firm of Cohen & Hubachek in San Diego, California. At the firm, he defended both state and federal criminal matters. He was lead counsel in a number of lengthy federal criminal jury trials and briefed and argued a number of federal criminal appeals. In the area of white collar criminal defense, Mr. Cohen won the dismissals of three major securities and mail fraud indictments arising from multi-year and multi-agency investigations. The subject matter of the cases he has defended includes mail fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, weapons offenses, violent crime, narcotics offenses, conspiracy, forfeiture and extradition.

Since 1996, Mr. Cohen has practiced in San Francisco, first establishing a satellite office for Cohen & Hubachek and then opening the firm Bay Area Criminal Lawyers, PC. He has continued his emphasis on white collar criminal defense, including the defense of the first federal computer crimes jury trial in the Northern District of California and the defense of two of the largest securities fraud cases ever brought in that district.

On the federal level, Mr. Cohen continues to represent clients charged in large drug conspiracies, complex fraud schemes, gun possession, and a variety of other offenses.

In addition, Mr. Cohen has handled a number of state court trials in the past five years, including the representation of clients charged with violent felonies, Three Strikes Cases, drug, narcotic, and weapons offenses, sex offenses, and persons charged with crimes as juveniles.

Education:

Amherst College (B.A., cum laude, 1983); University of Chicago (J.D., 1986).

Memberships:

U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of California; U.S. District Court, Southern and Easter Districts of New York; U.S. Tax Court; State Bar of California; State Bar of New York; American Bar Association including Sections on Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, Criminal Justice, Labor and Employment Law and Litigation; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; California Attorneys for Criminal Justice; California State Bar Association including Section on Criminal Law; Federal Bar Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; New York State Bar Association; San Diego County Bar Association; San Diego Trial Lawyers Association.

Publications

Author of article "Common Federal Offenses and Issues" which was nationally circulated in the Federal Defender Manual.

Contributing author of "Chapter 7: Forensic Toxicology and the Use of Drug Evidence in the Courtroom," published in CEB Manual "Scientific Evidence in Criminal Cases," (Sept. 2009). This manual is used by criminal defense attorneys throughout the state of California as a resource.

Reported Cases

United States v. Hickey, 367 F.3d 888 (9th Cir. 2004); SEC v. Hickey, 322 F.3d 1123 (9th Cir. 2003); United States v. Hardeman, 206 F.3d (9th Cir. 2000), amended, 249 F.3d 826 (9th Cir. 2001); United States v. Daas, 198 F.3d 1167 (9th Cir. 1999); United States v. Hickey, 185 F.3d 1064 (9th Cir. 1999); United States v. Middleton, 35 F.Supp. 2d 1189 (N.D. Cal. 1999); United States v. Hickey, 997 F.Supp. 1206 (N.D. Cal. 1998); United States v. James Hernandez, 109 F.3d 1450 (9th Cir. 1997); United States v. James Hernandez, 27 F.3d 1403 (9th Cir. 1994); In re Extradition of Garcia and Zamora, 890 F. Supp. 914 (S.D. Cal. 1994);United States v. Arana, 981 F2d 1044 (9th Cir. 1992) (see dissent in companion case United States v. Gonzalez, 981 F.2d 1037, 1038-44 (9th Cir. 1992); United States v. Jose Hernandez, 952 F.2d 1110 (9th Cir. 1991); United States v. Stout, 936 F.2d 433 (9th Cir. 1991); United States v. Arias-Granados, 923 F.2d 1387 (9th Cir. 1991); Sislik v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 58 T.C.M. (CCH) 115 (1989).

Born

Tarrytown, New York, March 9, 1961

Bay Area Criminal Lawyers, PC
Attorneys at Law 
300 Montgomery Street, Suite 660
San Francisco, California 94104
(At the corner of Pine)
map

Telephone: 415-398-3900
Facsimile: 415-398-7500

David's cell phone: 415-990-9946 

E-mail: djcohen@bayareacrimlaw.com

from

The Kavinoky Law Firm

California DUI arrests are painful. The embarrassment from the roadside field sobriety tests given to suspected drunk drivers quickly gives way to the terrible reality of handcuffs, and the fear of the consequences that could follow a California DUI conviction, like the possibility of being sent back to jail for even a minute, or losing your California drivers license for months, or even years. We understand just how you feel. More importantly, we know how to cushion or avoid the consequences of a DUI arrest.

If you have been arrested anywhere in California for a DUI, we have lawyers that can help. With offices in Los Angeles, Encino, San Diego, Newport Beach , Riverside / Inland Empire, San Francisco, and other California cities, we have experience in every California court.

California DUI defense attorney Darren T. Kavinoky has more than a decade of experience in successfully defending California drunk driving, DWI, drinking and driving, and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases.

The Kavinoky Law Firm focuses on defending those accused of driving under the influence (DUI) and related drunk driving cases. California DUI law is complex, and Darren has the unique education, training and experience necessary to successfully defend a California DUI arrest anywhere in the state.

California DUI law triggers two separate cases: a DUI / DWI court case and a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) case. When drivers are arrested for drunk driving in California, they are charged with two different counts. The first is driving under the influence of alcohol; the second is a related charge of driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. The latter charge is the one that triggers the California Department of Motor Vehicles DUI case, where the California DMV will attempt to suspend the motorist's driving privileges.

URGENT: If you have been arrested for California DUI / DWI, it is vital that you act quickly to protect your driver's license. You have only 10 days from the date of arrest to request a DUI DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing with the California DMV. Contact California DUI lawyer Darren Kavinoky now to protect your legal rights if you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, drunk driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any drinking and driving arrest in California.

DUI defendants in California are typically charged with violating two different statutes: California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), and also Vehicle Code Section 23152 (b). The first section, known to California DUI lawyers as the "A" count, relates to driving while a person's physical or mental faculties are impaired by alcohol (or drugs) to the extent that they are "unable to drive their car with the same caution characteristic of a sober person, of ordinary prudence, under the same or similar circumstances." This is the legal standard for being considered under the influence of alcohol or drugs in California courts.

California drunk driving arrests also give rise to a charge of violating Vehicle Code Section 23152 (b), known to California DUI lawyers as the "B" count. This charge is brought against those arrested for DUI who provide a breath or blood alcohol sample of .08 percent or greater. It does not matter what the driving pattern is like, or whether the individual arrested performed field sobriety tests with textbook precision. It is a charge that is based purely on body chemistry.

The Kavinoky Law Firm concentrates on DUI defense throughout California. Darren Kavinoky has defended hundreds of California DUI cases, is certified in standardized field sobriety testing, is certified in the operation of all breath-test devices used in California DUI cases, and is available to defend your California DUI case. He also enjoys a coveted "AV®" rating in the Martindale Hubbell Registry, a peer review honor that singles out attorneys who are at the highest level of skill and integrity..

If you've already been convicted of California DUI, it may be possible to help clean up your record, whether your conviction is for a misdemeanor or a felony. Drunk-driving convictions can be expunged, and The Kavinoky Law Firm has helped many with the post-conviction relief available for California DUI cases. Contact The Kavinoky Law Firm for more information about clearing your California DUI conviction from your record.

Getting arrested on suspicion of a DWI or DUI in California can be a frightening experience. Suspected drunk drivers face a legal labyrinth that can seem daunting. A drunk-driving case generates two separate cases - in criminal court, and at the Department of Motor Vehicles. A California DUI attorney with experience in drunk driving defense cases can help drivers navigate through both the DMV hearing and the criminal court case.
The first stage in any DWI or DUI court process is the arrest. Most arrests for a misdemeanor driving under the influence case occur when police observe signs of intoxication in the driver's physical appearance and/ or erratic driving patterns. These observations form the basis of "probable cause," which is the legal basis for the arrest.
Once arrested, a driver may be held in custody and mustpost bond to be released, unless released on his or her own recognizance (OR). Bond, otherwise known as bail, is like an insurance policy guaranteeing the driver's appearance at the next court date. The amount of bail is determined by a judge, based on the seriousness of the offense.
If held in custody, then a driver must be arraigned within 48 to 72 hours after the arrest, unless it occurs on a weekend, in which case it can be extended for one day. If the driver is not held in custody, the arraignment will be set at a later date.
At the arraignment, the judge will advise a driver of the pending charges, and the individual will be read his or her rights. The rights afforded to criminal defendants include the right to an attorney, the right to a jury trial, the right to confront witnesses, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to receive evidence to be used against the individual in the criminal proceeding. Also, at this time, a driver will be asked to enter a plea before the court. Possible pleas include Not Guilty, nolo contendere " commonly known as No Contest " or Guilty.
The next step with a DUI and the court process is to submit pretrial motions. Pretrial motions may be submitted at the arraignment, but it is also customary for the pretrial motions to be heard at a later hearing date. Common pretrial motions include a motion to suppress evidence, discovery motions, motions to dismiss, and other motions in limine.
At some point during this process, a prosecutor may offer the driver a plea bargain, which gives the defendant an opportunity to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Sometimes taking a plea bargain is a good idea, and sometimes it's not. An experienced California DUI attorney can evaluate an individual case to determine whether a plea bargain is a good deal.
The final stage of the DUI and the court process is the trial. Once a trial date is set, it is usually expressed as a "0 of 10 date", meaning that the DUI defendant's speedy trial rights will not be violated if the trial begins on the trial date, or within 10 days of that date. If the trial does not begin on or before the expiration of the last day for trial, the case must be dismissed. If the last day for trial falls on a weekend day or holiday, the next court day is the last day.
Once the trial begins, both the DUI defense attorney and the prosecutor participate in selecting a jury. During this process, they engage in voir dire, or the examination of prospective jurors, to determine the juror's qualifications for service. At this time jurors may be excused "for cause" or at the discretion of the attorneys, which is known as a peremptory challenge. Once the jury is chosen, the trial begins.
DUI / DWI trials usually last several days. At the trial, both the defense and the prosecution giveopening statements, directly examine their own witnesses, cross-examine the opposing witnesses, and finally give closing arguments. The judge then gives the jury instructions on how to apply the facts of the case to the law.
The next step is jury deliberation. The jurors are excused to the jury room, where they are given their first opportunity to discuss the facts of the case. When the jury concludes deliberation, they announce their verdict to the court - Guilty or Not Guilty. Although the jury decides on a verdict, it does not determine the defendant's sentence. The judge decides the appropriate punishment, which can be set by law, and may be enhanced by the facts of the case.
Although our justice system is designed to protect both the defendant and the public, the defendant needs someone looking after his or her best interests. A California DUI defense attorney who specializes in defending DUI / DWI cases can ensure that anyone accused of drunk-driving receives the fairest treatment possible in the court system.

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California DUI Lawyers, the Kavinoky Law Firm California DUI lawyers and attorneys from The Kavinoky Law Firm are available to provide a legal defense through offices located throughout California. Please feel free to call on us toll free at 800-958-8293 24 Hours a Day, or marketing@nocuffs.com 7 Days a Week, if you or a loved one has been arrested for a California DUI, or any other criminal case. The Kavinoky Law Firm stands ready to help in your time of need. Encino, CA 16255 Ventura Blvd, Suite 200, Encino, CA 91436 Tel: 818-346-4646 800-958-8293 Get Directions Los Angeles, CA 2029 Century Park East, 14th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Tel: 310-458-1414 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Riverside, CA: 11801 Pierce Street, Suite 200 Riverside, CA 92505 Tel: 951-241-7194 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Newport Beach, CA: 5000 Birch Street, West Tower - Suite 3000 Newport Beach, CA 926600 Tel: 949-494-5900 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Fresno, CA: 1107 R Street Fresno, CA 93721 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions San Francisco, CA: 1 Embarcadero Ctr, Ste 500 San Francisco, CA 94111 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions San Luis Obispo, CA: 1141 Pacific Street #A San Luis Obispo, California 93401 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Quincy, CA: 17 Buchanan St., P.O. Box 476 Quincy, CA 95971 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Needles, CA: 1406 Bailey Avenue, #G Needles, CA 92363 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions San Diego, CA: 402 West Broadway Suite 400 San Diego, CA 92101 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Encinitas, CA: 191 Calle Magdalena Suite 250 Encinitas, CA 92024 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Redding, CA: 1768 West Street Redding, CA 96001 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Sacramento, CA: 721 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions Vallejo, CA: 27 Saint Francis Dr. Vallejo, CA 94590 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road. San Jose, CA 95134 Tel:408-240-0249 Toll-Free: 800-958-8293 Get Directions from