Question: I was arrested for a DUI in Van Nuys with DUI case in Van Nuys Court coming up. Where do I go in Court? What happens if I am late for the DUI hearing?

Question: I was arrested for a DUI in Van Nuys with DUI case in Van Nuys Court coming up. Where do I go in Court? What happens if I am late for the DUI hearing?  Is this something that you can handle for me?  If so do I still have to go to court or can you handle this without me going to Court.  I don’t live anywhere near there and have work, kids and stuff that would make it very hard for me to get to Court on that date.  I have never been to Van Nuys court before and would have no idea what to do once I got there.

Answer: If you have a DUI in Van Nuys Court, the arraignment (ie. the first DUI hearing) for a DUI misdemeanor will be in Dept. 103. If you are late, the Judge/Commissioner may not let you handle the matter when you arrive, and may have already issued a FTA (failure to appear) and issue a bench warrant for your arrest. That is not an issue you want to deal with as it would create further complications and potential penalties.  Often times I am hired on cases where the client has already missed a court date and a Warrant has been issued.  I can certainly help in that situation, but it is better to avoid that issue before it comes up.

If it’s filed as a misdemeanor, then I could the hearing (as well as the other hearings leading up to trial…should it go that far) without you being there pursuant to Penal Code 977.  Generally speaking, most 1st ,2nd or 3rd offense DUI charges are misdemeanors.  If there was an accident and injury involved, then it may be filed as a felony under VC 23153, which would increase the potential penalties associated with the case.

Call me at 818-336-1384 if you would like to discuss your DUI case in more detail. I regularly handle DUI cases in Van Nuys amongst other Courts with very good results.

Phil Hache,

DUI & Criminal Defense Attorney
www.philhachelaw.com
Handling DUI and Criminal matters throughout Courts in Southern California including Van Nuys, CA, San Fernando, CA, Burbank, CA Glendale, CA Pasadena, CA Metropolitan Court, Bellflower, CA, Alhambra, CA, Malibu, CA, Compton, CA, Santa Clarita, CA, Airport Court, Chatsworth, CA Inglewood, CA, Los Angeles, CA and other Courts.