why would lawyer tell you not to attend dmv hearing

by Princess Leannon V 9 min read

How do I win a California DMV hearing?

To win a DMV DUI Hearing you usually must have one of the following examples:The police did not follow proper procedure with the breath or blood tests.You present convincing evidence the officer had no right to pull you over.You present proof that you were under .More items...

What happens at a California DMV hearing?

The hearing is held before a Driver Safety Hearing Officer from DMV. At the hearing, the driver is informed of the legal grounds for the action, and has the opportunity to review and challenge the evidence of DMV, and to present evidence, witnesses, and testimony to persuade DMV to modify or rescind the action.

What is a DMV hearing DUI California?

A DMV DUI hearing is an administrative hearing held at a DMV office (not a criminal court). The sole issue in this hearing is whether or not your driver's license will be suspended as a result of your having been arrested for DUI.

What is Admin Per Se California?

The administrative license suspension program, known as “Admin Per Se” (APS) was implemented in 1990 as a stronger deterrent to drunk driving. The following information is a general guide for drivers 21 years of age and older who become subject to an APS DL suspension or revocation (action).

How do I appeal a California DMV decision?

When a defendant loses a trial, she may appeal it by asking a higher court to overturn her conviction. To overturn a DMV suspension, a motorist may appeal it by asking a superior court judge to issue a writ. Writ is another word for order.

What happens with your first DUI in California?

A first offense DUI in California is a misdemeanor typically punished by 3 to 5 years of probation, $390.00 to $1000.00 in fines plus penalty assessments, DUI school, a 6-month driver's license suspension, and installation of an ignition interlock device.

How long do DUI stay on your record in California?

10 yearsFortunately, a DUI charge does not stay on your driving record forever. Generally speaking, it remains on your driving record for up to 10 years and is viewable by the DMV and law enforcement during that time. The other good news is that a DUI conviction on your driving record does NOT show on most background checks.

How serious is a DUI in California?

DUI is a criminal offense conviction in CA which will result in a permanent criminal record, unless it can be expunged several years later, which will cost more in attorney fees and court costs.

How long do you lose your license for a DUI in California?

If you are convicted of DUI (CVC §23152), the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your driving privilege for 6 or 10 months. You may be subject to fines, penalties, and other restrictions in addition to any suspension of your driving privilege.

What is a DMV DS 367?

The DS-367 clearly advises the driver that the DMV intends to suspend or revoke their driving privilege in the State of California. This tells the driver that the suspension process has begun. The DS-367 is a “Temporary” Driver License.

How much is a real ID cost in California?

$38The California Department of Motor Vehicles charges $38 for a Real ID or a regular license. Can I get a Real ID identification card? Yes. That costs $33.Jan 29, 2021

What happens at a DMV hearing?

A DMV DUI hearing is an administrative hearing held at a DMV office (not a criminal court). The sole issue in this hearing is whether or not your d...

How Can I Win a DMV License Suspension Hearing?

Legal research and preparation can greatly increase your chances of winning the DMV hearing. The scope of a California DUI DMV hearing is quite bro...

What is the Relationship Between My DMV Hearing and My DUI Court Case?

It bears repeating that, unlike your DUI court proceedings, the DMV DUI hearing is not concerned with whether or not you committed a criminal act....

What is the burden of proof at a DMV hearing?

The DMV hearing officer must find by a preponderance of the evidence that you were operating a motor vehicle with an illegal BAC or while impaired...

What Happens if I Win My DMV Hearing?

If you win your DMV DUI hearing and the hearing officer sets aside the action, this means that you will retain your driving privilege intact. This...

What Happens if I Lose My DMV DUI Hearing?

Even if you lose your DMV DUI hearing, your DUI attorney nevertheless may have elicited information during the proceeding that could encourage the...

DMV Hearing Addresses Your Driving Privileges Only

The DMV hearing is separate from the court trial. It is an administrative proceeding regarding the circumstances of your DUI arrest and your driving privilege, whether or not you’re guilty of DUI. During the DMV hearing, the following will be considered:

Are You Obligated to Attend the Hearing?

For starters, you are not obligated to request a DMV hearing; however, if you don’t request a DMV hearing, your driver’s license will be suspended automatically regardless if you were driving under the influence or not.

What happens if you have too many points on your license?

If you have too many points on your driving record, the DMV will hold a “negligent operator” hearing and may decide to suspend, revoke or restrict your license. Points on your driving record can come from traffic tickets or accidents, a DUI conviction or other violations of California’s Vehicle Code. Before your DMV hearing, a Wallin & Klarich attorney can review the circumstances involved in your license points and defend your driving record at a negligent operator hearing.

Who is Matthew Wallin?

Matthew B. Wallin is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney at Wallin & Klarich. He approaches each case as an opportunity to help an individual at a time when they need it most and understands that he is the one they have turned to for help. Mr. Wallin has represented hundreds of our clients in cases involving DUI and DMV hearings, domestic violence, assault and battery, drug crimes, misdemeanors and serious felonies. With extensive experience handling DUI cases, Mr. Wallin is one of the premiere DUI defense attorney in Southern California. View all posts by Matthew Wallin

The Purpose of a DMV Hearing

The purpose of a DMV hearing is very narrow. It only addresses whether there are reasons to find that the Georgia law automatically suspending your license after a DUI arrest should apply in your case. At a DMV hearing, the “hearing officer” (kind of like a judge, but not an actual judge) only examines:

What Happens at a DMV Hearing?

A DMV hearing resembles a trial, but is a lot less formal. Technically, you do not have to have a lawyer represent you. But you have the right to bring a lawyer if you want to, and you always should.

What Happens if I Do Not Attend a DMV Hearing?

Since a DMV hearing is something that happens only at your request, don’t expect any favors if you fail to show up for it. The hearing officer will almost certainly uphold your license suspension.

Other Options for Seeking a Provisional License

Under Georgia law, if you lose your license for a first offense DUI, you can apply for a provisional license that will allow you to continue to operate your vehicle under limited circumstances if you install an “ignition interlock” device in your vehicle, which is essentially a breathalyzer that you have to pass before your car will even start.

What happens if you don't request a DMV hearing?

If you do request the DMV hearing for your DUI, the suspension of your driver’s license will be delayed pending the outcome of the hearing. And if you win the DUI DMV hearing, it may be prevented altogether.

What is a DMV hearing?

A DMV DUI hearing in California is an administrative hearing held at a DMV office (not a criminal court). The sole issue in this hearing is whether or not your driver’s license will be suspended as a result of your having been arrested for DUI.

How long does a DUI suspension last?

If you refuse to submit to a DUI chemical blood or breath test, the officer must advise you that your driver’s license will be suspended automatically for one year.

What happens if you get arrested for DUI in California?

If you are arrested for DUI in California, you will face two separate legal proceedings: a criminal charge for DUI in California courts, and an admin per se hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) to determine what will happen to your driver’s license. What is at stake in the California DUI court process are criminal penalties: fines, ...

How long do you have to wait to get a DMV hearing?

You only have 10 days from the date of arrest to request this DMV DUI hearing.

How to schedule a DMV hearing?

In order to schedule your DMV DUI hearing, you must contact your local DMV driver safety branch office, which is where your hearing will be held . These offices are different from the “traditional” DMV field offices where you go to obtain a license or register your vehicle.

How long does a driver's license suspension last?

Driver’s license suspension for first-offense DUI. If this is your first DUI arrest, your privilege will be suspended for six to ten months after you lose your DMV DUI hearing. 4 After the first month, you may be able to have the suspension converted into a restricted license that allows you to drive to and from.

What happens if your license is revoked?

If your license is revoked, you may have the opportunity to attend a hearing to have your driving privileges reinstated. You are entitled to have an attorney present at this hearing. Doing so will likely improve your chances of getting your license back. There are several types of DMV hearings: A DMV Medical Hearing.

How long does a licensee have to be revoked?

In actuality, these types of permanent revocations mean that a licensee is revoked for between three and four years. Ideally, after two years of not accumulating any convictions for moving violations, the revoked individual is eligible for and should secure a limited driving privilege. After three years of revocation an individual who is permanently revoked becomes eligible for a hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles. If that individual held a limited driving privilege for the last year of revocation then they will not need to produce witnesses at the hearing. On the other hand, if no limited driving privilege was obtained, the revoked individual must present testimony from two witnesses, preferably from their household, who can testify to the fact that they have not been driving. It is likely that a hearing officer will also inquire about drug and alcohol habits during this hearing. The sooner the attorneys at Kurtz & Blum, PLLC are involved in this process the greater our chance for success. If you were permanently revoked for multiple moving violations during a period of revocation and you are approaching eligibility for a hearing, call us, we can help.

Why is it important to approach a lawyer with honesty?

“ Winning cases can be lost because of a client who lies or exaggerates just as easily as because of a lawyer who tells the client what the client wants to hear instead of what is true.” So when dealing with attorneys, don’t just look for honesty—be honest.

How to get a good lawyer to take your case?

“If you want to improve your chances of securing the best lawyer to take your case, you need to prepare before you meet them,” advises attorney Stephen Babcock. “Get your story, facts, and proof together well before your first meeting.” This not only ensures that you understand your own needs, but it helps a good lawyer to ascertain whether he or she can actually help you. “We want the best clients too. Proving you’re organized and reliable helps us.”

What is a potential money pit?

When hiring an attorney, a potential money pit is “expenses” outside of the lawyer’s billable hours. Expenses include everything—copying and faxing costs, hiring expert witnesses, and even traveling via private jet, points out attorney Justin C. Roberts. Some lawyers don’t just pass the charges along; instead, they charge an additional percentage fee. Whatever their method, you need to know it up front so there won’t be any surprises when the bill arrives.

Do good lawyers always find every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge?

“In my experience, a good lawyer always finds every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge, and only relents on trying a case before the bench when all alternatives have been exhausted,” attorney, Jason Cruz says. “If a lawyer suggests they want to try the case in front of a judge, you should definitely speak with another lawyer before proceeding,”

Can you appeal a disability denial?

If you feel helpless when faced with an insurance denial, please know that you might be able to appeal with the help of a qualified lawyer, says David Himelfarb, attorney. Insurance companies routinely deny long-term disability claims, for example, particularly because it’s assumed that most people don’t have access to reputable attorneys to challenge the denial. “This is where intricate knowledge of the legal and insurance process, as well as the right team of experts to prove the claim, can reverse the odds.”

Do most cases settle outside the courtroom?

In choosing your attorney and your plan of action in resolving a dispute, it’s important to consider that despite what you see on television, most cases never see the inside of a courtroom. Typically, they’re settled outside the courtroom because of the time and expense involved, according to attorney Darren Heitner, author of How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know.