Got DUI in Los Angeles but live in San Diego.

DUI in Los Angeles but live in San Diego

Question:  I got Driving Under the Influence charge I in Los Angeles, CA (Glendale, CA to be exact) but i live in San Diego.  Do I have to drive to Los Angeles to do the alcohol class?  It is my understanding that an alcohol school will be required.  That is fine, but it will be very tough for me to drive all the way up to Glendale each week for the class, and I am nervous that I will be late a lot and get kicked out.  What would happen then?  Also, is it possible to have my court case transferred to San Diego so I don’t need to drive up to Glendale for that too?

Answer:  First, you will need to go to Court where your charge is.  In this case your DUI charge is in Glendale court as you wrote.  Even though you live in San Diego, the court hearings will take place in Glendale and can not be transferred to San Diego.  If you hire a private DUI attorney such as myself to defend you in this case, then I can handle your DUI without you having to appear in court.  That is assuming you are charged with a misdemeanor DUI.  Your DUI would only be potentially charged as a felony DUI if you have 4 or more DUI’s in the last 10 years, or there was an accident causing injury (generally serious injury).

As for the alcohol class, if there is a DUI conviction, there would be a required alcohol program.  The length of the program would depend on many circumstances, such as if you have any prior DUI’s, if it was a refusal case, if your BAC was at a .20 or above, etc. .  It is possible to have your alcohol course transferred to another county.  So it is very possible that you could do your alcohol course in San Diego.

Call me to discuss your DUI in more detail.  It may be possible to avoid a DUI conviction all together.  You don’t know unless you try.  I can be reached at 818-336-1384 for a free consultation.  I look forward to speaking to you.

Best Regards,

Phil Hache
DUI & Criminal Defense Attorney
www.philhachelaw.com
Handling DUI and Criminal matters throughout Courts in Southern California including Van Nuys, San Fernando, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Metro, Bellflower, Alhambra, Malibu, Compton, Inglewood and other Courts.
Office in Sherman Oaks