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What happens at your first DUI

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court date in California?

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Usually, it is an arraignment

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to address charges, counsel and

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next steps.

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Check your appearance

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instructions and any separate

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driver’s license deadline.

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An arraignment is usually not

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the trial.

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The court identifies the

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charges against you and your

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rights, deals with a plea, and

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sets what happens next.

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Ask for a copy of the

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complaint, which lists the

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accusations.

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A DUI case can be a misdemeanor

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or a felony.

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Your first court date does not

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mean this is legally a first

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offense.

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Do not wait for court to check

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your license notice.

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California DMV says you can

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request a hearing within ten

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days after receiving a

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suspension or revocation

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notice.

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That administrative process

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concerns driving privileges and

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is separate from the criminal

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case.

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A hearing request alone does

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not automatically pause a

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suspension.

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Ask promptly about the

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deadline, any stay and whether

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you may lawfully drive.

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If you do not have a lawyer,

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tell the court you want

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counsel.

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If you cannot afford one, ask

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about appointed counsel;

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the court may require financial

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information.

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Ask to speak with counsel

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before deciding on a plea.

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If you need a court

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interpreter, request one

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promptly through the local

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court and confirm the

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arrangements.

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Court interpreters are provided

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without charge.

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Common pleas include guilty,

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not guilty and no contest.

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No contest is not a harmless

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way to end the conversation:

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in the criminal case, the court

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treats it as a guilty plea.

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Get advice about the

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consequences, including

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license, work and immigration

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issues where relevant.

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If you need time to obtain

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advice or respond, raise that

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with counsel and the court.

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Do not assume a postponement is

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automatic.

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Do not assume hiring a lawyer

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means you can stay home.

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California sometimes permits

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misdemeanor appearances through

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counsel or remote proceedings,

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but conditions apply.

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In DUI cases, the court may

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require the defendant to

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attend.

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Felony proceedings have

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additional rules.

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Confirm the actual court

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instructions with your lawyer.

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Missing a required appearance

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can lead to a warrant.

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A phone call alone does not

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excuse your attendance.

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The judge may address custody,

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bail or release conditions,

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particularly if you are in

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custody.

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What happens depends on the

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charges, your situation and the

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court’s legal assessment.

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There is no promise that

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everyone goes home or that

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everyone goes to jail.

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Get a copy of any orders and

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understand what you must do

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until the next hearing.

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Bring your citation or court

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notice, release papers, license

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notice and any identification

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the court requires.

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Keep a copy of your questions

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for counsel and accurate

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contact details.

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Check the location, time,

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check-in procedure and security

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rules in advance.

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Arrange transport that does not

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involve unlawful driving.

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If an emergency affects

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attendance, contact your lawyer

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and the court promptly;

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do not simply miss the hearing.

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Before leaving, confirm the

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next date, how you must appear,

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every release condition and any

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outstanding DMV deadline.

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Ask your lawyer what a proposed

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waiver of time or another right

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would mean before agreeing.

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Keep copies of notices and

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orders in one place.

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If the case does not appear

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online, verify the position

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with your lawyer and court

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instead of assuming it was

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dismissed.

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For general legal information,

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Legal Hotline’s United States

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number is on screen.

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Read the California answer and

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sources at Legal Hotline dot

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com, with a hyphen between

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Legal and Hotline.

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This is an information service,

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not a law firm;

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lawyer matching is separate.

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This edition explains

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California procedure.

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Your charges, court

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instructions and driving status

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need individual assessment.