Pleasant Hill started as farmland before becoming the great community it is today. Pleasant Hill can be quiet but there are a few bars and restaurants in the downtown area where residents can enjoy a drink with friends or coworkers. Unfortunately, even a short drive home can lead to a drunk driving arrest if the police suspect the driver is impaired.
An arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) is not only embarrassing, it can also result in expensive fines, possible jail time, and a suspended license. Unfortunately, many drivers plead guilty to a DUI even if there were problems with the chemical tests or the police did not follow the rules. Before pleading guilty to a DUI after an arrest in Pleasant Hill, talk to your East Bay DUI defense lawyer to understand your rights.
What to do after a DUI arrest in Pleasant Hill?
For information about someone arrested by the Pleasant Hill Police Department:
Pleasant Hill Police Department
330 Civic Drive
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 288-4600
Getting pulled over for a traffic stop can be annoying, especially if you do not think you did anything wrong. However, a simple traffic stop can result in an arrest for a DUI if the police suspect you may be impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or even prescription drugs. Even if you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below the limit, you can still be arrested.
The time to challenge a DUI is not during the traffic stop or after arrest. Instead, the actions you take after the arrest can determine whether you keep your license and avoid a criminal conviction. In most first-time DUIs, you will be released shortly after booking and processing. If the arrest happens at night or on the weekend, it may take a little longer.
The first option after release (or with the help of a family member, before release), is to contact an experienced Contra Costa County DUI defense lawyer. The immediate benefits of having a DUI defense lawyer on your side include having someone go to your arraignment so you don't have to and filing a request for an administrative license suspension hearing.
Arraignment After Pleasant Hill DUI Arrest
The arraignment is the formal reading of the charges against the defendant. Most DUI arrests involve being charged with California Vehicle Code Section 23152. The defendant can respond guilty or not guilty. A guilty plea will lead to sentencing. A not guilty plea will put off the case for a later date or preliminary hearing.
If you have a lawyer, your lawyer can show up to the arraignment and may be able to appear on your behalf so you don't have to. If you do not have a lawyer, make sure you show up to the right courthouse on time. Failure to show up for the arraignment can result in a ”failure to appear” (FTA). An FTA can result in a bench warrant for your arrest.
Most misdemeanor DUI cases for individuals arrested in Pleasant Hill will be handled at the Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez. The arraignment may be initially heard at the A.F. Bray Courthouse. Other hearings or trials may be held in the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse. The two courthouses are across the street from each other.
A.F. Bray Courthouse
1020 Ward Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-608-1000
Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
725 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-608-1000
Business Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding court holidays)
Parking: There is metered street parking in Martinez but some parking meters are limited to two-hours, which may not be enough time for your initial arraignment. Private parking is also available for a fee.
Public Transportation: The Martinez Amtrak train station stop is about a 10-minute walk from the courthouse. There are also several bus lines that serve the downtown Martinez area.
DMV Administrative Per Se Hearing
After a DUI arrest, the police will generally take away your license and give you a temporary permit. The temporary driving permit is only good for 30 days. However, you only have 10 days to request an administrative per se (APS) hearing with the DMV. Your lawyer can request a hearing as long as it is within 10 days of the arrest. Your lawyer can also appear during the APS hearing to challenge the suspension and fight to keep your driving privileges.
The nearest DMV Driver Safety Office that handles APS hearings for drivers who get a DUI in Pleasant Hill will be either El Cerrito or Oakland.
El Cerrito DMV Office
6400 Manila Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(800) 777-0133
or
Driver Safety Office
7677 Oakport St. Suite #220,
Oakland, CA 94621
Phone (510) 563-8900
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 am till 5:00 pm. Wednesday 9:00 am till 5:00 pm
Pleasant Hill DUI Lawyer
East Bay attorney Lynn Gorelick has more than 35 years of DUI defense experience and understands the consequences for drivers after a DUI arrest. Representing drivers in Contra Costa County and Pleasant Hill, Lynn Gorelick is familiar with the local DUI laws, and the local officers and prosecutors involved. Contact East Bay DUI lawyer Lynn Gorelick today for help in handling your DUI.
