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Help in Specific California Counties: San Diego County

San Diego 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 San Diego County, there are 4 primary branch courts that deal with DUI’s in the San Deigo Superior Court system: Central Branch, North County, South County, and East County.

Court Locations and Phone Numbers: The San Diego County Court System has five Locations where San Diego County DUI cases may be prosecuted, depending upon which court had jurisdiction over the location where the arrest took place:

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 San Diego County Sheriff, who operates the San Diego County Jail. Once someone goes to court for the first time, if they are not released, they will be guests of the San Diego County Sheriff.

San Diego County Booking Information can be found by checking the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

• San Diego Police Department
• San Diego County Sheriff
• San Diego Harbor Police Department
• Carlsbad Police Department
• Chula Vista Police Department
• Escondido Police Department
• La Mesa Police Department
• San Diego County District Attorney
• San Diego County Marshal's Office
• San Diego State University Police Department
• University of California Police San Diego
• University of San Diego Department of Public Safety

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 San Diego, 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 San Diego DMV matters, to do so, is reproduced here:

The San Diego Office of Driver Safety:
Phone: (858) 627-3901
Fax: (858) 627-3925
9174 Sky Park Court,
Suite 200, 92123-2666

What may happen to my insurance? There are two ways insurance companies generally deal with customers convicted of a DUI in San Diego. 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 that DUI convicts 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: 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.

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 San Diego, most criminal cases are prosecuted by the San Diego District Attorney. The San Diego City Attorney’s Office also has jurisdiction to prosecute some misdemeanor offenses.

Public Defender: If you or your loved one cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided to them by the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office.

Probation Department: This is the agency responsible for supervising persons placed on probation by the court is the San Diego County Probation Department.

San Diego County DUI Local Service Phone Numbers:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office (619) 825-4700
• Gamblers Anonymous (GA) Hotline (619) 239-2911
• Medical Aid for Indigents (619) 236-7501
• Narcotics Anonymous Central Office, (619) 584-1007
• Nicotine Anonymous Hotline (760) 781-5070
• Overeaters Anonymous Central Office (619) 5633-4606 or (619) 563-4607
• Salvation Army Rehab Center, (619) 239-4037
• Supplemental Food Program (SHARE) (800) 773-7427
• Veterans Affairs Alcohol & Drug Treatment, (619) 552-7560

San Diego County DUI Legal Research Links:

Our firm handles DUI, Drunk Driving, DWI, and OWI cases in Riverside County, which includes Aguanga, Anza, Arlington, Calimesa, Casa Blanca, Cherry Valley, Corona, Corona Hills, Edgemont, El Cerrito, Gilman, Glen Avon, Glenn Valley, Hemet, High Grove, Home Gardens, Homeland, Hot Springs, Idyllwild, La Sierra, Lake View, Mead Valley, Meadow Brook, Mira Loma, Moreno, Mt. Lanter, Murrieta, Norco, Nuevo, Pedley, Perris, Quail Valley, Riverside, Rodea, Romoland, Sage, San Jacinto, Santa Ana Canyon, Soboba, Sun City, Temecula, Temescal Canyon, Vail Lake, Valle Vista, Wildomar Lake, Winchester, and in San Bernardino County, including Adelanto, Angeles Oaks, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, El Mirage, Etiwanda, Forest Falls, Grand Terrace, Helendale, Hesperia, Highland, Loma Linda, Lucerne Valley, Mentone, Montclair, Ontario, Oro Grande, Phelan, Pinon Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino City, Victorville, Wrightwood, Yucaipa.