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Help in Specific California Counties: Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Lawyers:
It is critical that you get advice from a lawyer that specializes in DUI defense. Make sure you know who is working on your case. Unfortunately many attorneys advertise themselves as a DUI expert and then hand your case off to a junior associate with little or no experience.
Courts:
In L.A. County, there are over 50 branch courts in the Superior Court system:
L.A. Superior Court
List of the locations for Los Angeles county.
Below are links to Los Angeles County Court Locations and websites.
Booking Information:
When someone is arrested, they will either remain in the custody of the police station where they were booked, or be placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff, who operates the L.A. County Jail. Once someone goes to court for the first time, if they are not released, they will be guests of the L.A. County Sheriff.
L.A. County Sheriff Booking Information
Local Police Departments in Los Angeles County:
Bail Bondsmen:
When someone is arrested for DUI, he or she may either be "cited out" or held until a bail bond is posted. Make sure and find a reputable bail bondsman.
Premiere Bail Bonds
Premiere Bail Bonds has consistently provided an unparalleled level of service to the legal community in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego Counties. Attorneys throughout southern California refer their clients to Premiere Bail Bonds because they provide the highest level of service to clients. Premiere Bail Bonds can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
DMV:
When someone is arrested for DUI, there are really two separate cases being prosecuted at the same time: the criminal court case, and the California DMV case, where the accused may lose their driver's license.
Your Driver's License and the DMV:
THE DMV REQUIRES THAT YOU ACT WITHIN ONLY TEN DAYS (not business days) from the date of your arrest to protect your driving privileges. It is best to have an experienced DUI attorney schedule the DMV hearing for you. Our fee includes this service, and we can schedule a hearing that works with our availability (court and DMV) schedule. For your convenience, if you cannot retain an attorney within 10 days, the phone numbers for all Los Angeles DMV matters, to do so, is reproduced here:
City of Commerce:
5801 E. Slauson Avenue, Suite 250, 90040-3050
phone: (323) 724-4000
fax: (323) 724-9262
El Segundo:
390 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 2075, 90245-4470
phone: (310) 615-3500
fax: (310) 615-3581
Auto Insurance:
Getting auto insurance after a DUI conviction can be difficult.
What may happen to my insurance?
There are two ways insurance companies generally deal with customers convicted of a DUI in Los Angeles County. First, your insurer will likely raise your insurance premiums and label you a high-risk driver if it finds out you've been convicted of DUI. In this case, you'll likely have to file proof of insurance for three years minimum with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Your insurance company will have to provide the DMV with an SR-22 form, which removes your license suspension and replaces it with a restriction by providing the California DMV with proof of insurance. An SR-22 also means your insurance company is required to notify the DMV if it cancels your insurance for any reason. Most state laws require persons with DUI convictions to get an SR-22 from their insurers, so you can't hide. In addition, your company may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DUI conviction, especially if you are currently in a preferred class. Your
company will send you a notice stating why you've been canceled, and then you'll have to find another insurer while having a cancellation on your claims history.
Some insurance companies don't offer SR-22 policies, so you may also be non-renewed or canceled because your company can no longer provide what you need.
Insurance Links:
California Department of Insurance
Great link for California insurance questions and facts.
Insurance Information Institute
Excellent Link for insurance questions and facts.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Good link for transportation safety in the USA.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Information about insurance commissioner contacts in all states.
A.M. Best Insurance Information Services
The definitive guide to rating insurance companies in the USA.
Insurance Information Network of California
An excellent resource site for general information questions in California.
Alcohol or Drug Problems: Sometimes, being arrested for an alcohol or drug related incident is the first time someone realizes they may need help with a substance abuse problem. In a criminal case, courts look very favorably upon someone who is addressing a substance abuse problem.
If you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol or drugs, and is ready for some help, help is available. Probably the best known is Alcoholics Anonymous.
Also:
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys
14557 Friar St.
Van Nuys, CA 91411,
phone: (818) 997-0414
NCADD of East San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys
745-F East Arrow Highway,
Covina, CA 91722
phone:(818) 331-5316
NCADD, Positive Choices Youth at Risk and Woman to Woman programs of Long Beach Area
3750 Long Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90807
phone: (310) 426-8262
NCADD of Pasadena
181 N. Hudson
Pasadena, CA 91101
phone: (818) 795-9127
NCADD of the South Bay Area
1334 Post Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
phone: (310) 328-1460
(All NCADDs provide help and information in addition to other alcohol/drug related services)
Labor Assistance Program
21365 Running Branch Rd.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
phone: (800) 456-7256
Provides resource assistance to labor members and their dependents.
Expungement of Convictions:
If you have a conviction on your record that is holding you back, contact a lawyer that is an expert in expungement.
Prosecutors:
In Los Angeles, cases are prosecuted by either the District Attorney or Los Angeles City Attorney, depending upon where the person was stopped and arrested.
Public Defender:
If you or your loved one cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided to them by the Public Defender's office.
Probation Department:
This is the agency responsible for supervising persons placed on probation by the court is the Probation Department.
Los Angeles County DUI Legal Research Links:
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Inmate and Booking Log (Who's In Jail)
Los Angeles County Law Library
Los Angeles County Ordinances (Los Angeles Municipal Code)
Los Angeles County Rules of Court
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