When you or a loved one is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Dublin, California, you may have a lot of questions about what to do next. After most DUI arrests, you may be taken to the nearest police station or sheriff's department for booking. After booking, law enforcement may release you on bail or on a written promise to appear for your court date.
Court Appearance After a DUI in Dublin, Pleasanton or Livermore California
The court date will generally be the first time you will be able to respond to the criminal DUI charges against you. This may also be your first opportunity to have a lawyer represent you in court. With the serious penalties involved in a DUI conviction, you should contact an experienced East Bay criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will be there for you in court to deal with the judge and the prosecutor.
In 1998, all Alameda County Trial Courts were unified to form the Alameda County Superior Court. Your court location will depend, in part, on where the arrest took place and which law enforcement agency was involved.
The Dublin Courthouse for DUI Cases - East County Hall of Justice
Most DUI arrests in Dublin and the surrounding area, including Pleasanton, Livermore will initially be heard in the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin, California.
East County Hall of Justice
5151 Gleason Drive
Dublin, California 94568
Phone: 925-227-6700
The courthouse is located off Gleason Drive, between Arnold Road and Madigan Road, in Dublin. The court is located across from the Santa Rita Jail. To get to the East County Hall of Justice by car, take the Hacienda Drive exit north from the 580 freeway. Hacienda drive goes directly into the courthouse complex.
Parking
Parking: There is a free parking lot next to the courthouse, with an entrance off of Gleason Drive.
Transportation
Public Transportation: The East County Hall of Justice is about 1 ½ miles from the East Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. A number of bus lines serve the area, including the Tri-Valley Wheels Bus Route 1 from the BART station to the Hall of Justice.
East Bay DUIs at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin
If you were arrested for DUI in Dublin or the surrounding cities by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, Pleasanton Police Department, Livermore Police Department or the Dublin California Highway Patrol, your case will be handled in the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin. The criminal court in Dublin handles DUIs from a number of Alameda County cities and towns, including:
- Dublin
- Pleasanton
- Livermore
- Mountain House
- Areas east to the San Joaquin County Line, north of 580 to Contra Costa County
Most first-time drunk driving arrests will be charged as a misdemeanor. The courthouse in Dublin will handle the majority of these arrests that occurred in the area, including violations of California Vehicle Code VC 23152(a); VC 23152(b); VC 23152(c); VC 23152(d); VC 23152(f); and VC 23152(g). If you are facing your 4th DUI within the last 10 years or are involved in an injury DUI, your case may be charged as a felony DU.
APS License Suspension Hearing at the DMV
As part of the booking process after a DUI, the police will usually take away your driver's license and give you a piece of paper that acts as your temporary license. Your driver's license will be administratively suspended after 30 days of your arrest. This is an administrative process that is separate from your criminal case.
If you want to stop the automatic suspension of your license, you have to file a formal request in writing for a hearing with the DMV. Your license suspension hearing is not handled by the criminal court in Dublin. It is a separate hearing through the California DMV.
You only have 10 days after your DUI arrest to make a formal request for a DMV hearing. If you miss this 10-day deadline to request a hearing, you cannot challenge your suspension.
Your Dublin DUI attorney will immediately after be able to request an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing and represent you during the hearing. This is why it is important to contact a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. Your attorney can represent you during the APS hearing to fight for you to keep your license or help you get a restricted license.
The Driver Safety Office in Alameda County is located at in Oakland:
Oakland Driver Safety Office
7677 Oakport St. Suite #220
Oakland, CA 94621
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Wednesday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Appointments and General Information: Phone (510) 563-8900; Fax (510) 563-8950
Alameda County District Attorneys
DUI criminal cases in Alameda County are prosecuted by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. The lawyer who prosecutes the case against you is the “prosecutor” or “DA.” After an arrest, the prosecutor will review the case and decide whether or not to file formal charges against you. The prosecutor will then try and get you to plead guilty or prove you are guilty in court.
As the “defendant,” you will generally not have any direct contact with the prosecutor. Instead, your criminal defense attorney will deal with the prosecutor and the court.
The Dublin Office of the Alameda County District Attorney is located at the East Count Hall of Justice.
DUI School in California
To get your driver's license reinstated after a DUI in Dublin, you have to complete a DUI education and substance abuse program, known as DUI school. This program is intended to reduce the number of repeat DUI offenders and help participants address possible substance abuse problems. The requirements of the DUI program will depend on the specific DUI offense and prior DUI record.
A list of qualifying licensed California DUI program service providers is available through the California Department of Health Care Services.
How to get help from a lawyer for my Dublin DUI?
When you contact an experienced Dublin DUI defense you can select the best lawyer to represent you. This includes finding a lawyer with experience representing drivers in the East County Hall of Justice. A criminal defense attorney will also be able to represent you at your DMV hearing to keep your license.
If you are “indigent”, you may be able to have an Alameda County public defender assigned to represent you. This is only available for those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The court may require proof of your inability to pay by looking at your finances, income, and assets.
A public defender can only represent your criminal case and cannot fight for your driver's license in the DMV license suspension hearing. Additionally, you are assigned a public defender and cannot change your lawyer if you don't think they are doing enough to defend you.
Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore DUI Defense Attorney
At the Gorelick Law Offices, attorney Lynn Gorelick has dedicated her legal career to defending people charged with driving under the influence in Dublin and throughout Alameda County. With more than 34 years of DUI experience, she understands what is at stake and how to fight to keep your arrest from ending in a conviction. Contact your local Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore DUI defense attorney who will fight for you.
