Van Nuys court pretty much controls the whole San Fernando Valley in California. So, if you get a DUI and you've been sent to Van Nuys court, you've got one of those little tickets and some other paperwork, you either had to bail out or they let you go after a certain amount of hours, and you're trying to find the best DUI defense attorney.
Some of the characteristics you want to look for are whether or not the attorney you're evaluating has a lot of local experience in the Van Nuys court. In other words, does their practice include going there because if it does, they're going to know the prosecutors and their tendencies.
They're going to know the judges. And they're going to understand what a DUI is worth in that courthouse, and they're going to be able to talk to you, look at your situation and give you a pretty good idea of what you're facing. So, that's number one. You want local experience.
California has several statutes for driving under the influence, including the most common below:
- Vehicle Code 23152(a) - driving under the influence;
- Vehicle Code 23152(b) - driving with blood alcohol content 0.08%, or more;
- Vehicle Code 23152(f) - driving under the influence of drugs.
California Vehicle Code 23153 describes the crime of DUI causing injury. This statute makes driving under the influence more severe in a situation where someone was injured. It's described as someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing physical harm to another person as a result.
This DUI-related crime is the more aggravated form of a traditional driving under the influence offense. It can be charged by the prosecutor as either a misdemeanor or felony crime, called a “wobbler.” Our Los Angeles DUI lawyers will review further below.
Knowing the Local Prosecutors and Judges
I've been doing this for 30 years, and I've handled thousands of DUIs, specifically in the Van Nuys court. I know the prosecutors. I know the judges. So, that's a box that I can check. Other attorneys can check it as well, but if we're evaluating the characteristics you must have, I would say local information, connection, and knowledge, I think is very important.
Believe it or not, the next thing is that when you meet with the attorney, you feel comfortable with them. In other words, you feel like they know what they're doing and are easy to talk to. They explain things well, and they're likable.
I say that because that's going to be your attorney in front of the prosecutor and the judge. So, if you get the sense that the attorney you're talking to is a jerk who doesn't know what they're going on, trust me, the prosecutor and judge will get that same sense. So, when you meet with the attorney, make sure they are likable. Make sure that you like them and feel comfortable with them because if you do, more than likely, the judge and prosecutor will.
Open and Honest About Your Case
I think the next thing is, you need an attorney who is open and honest with you and tells you the truth about your situation and doesn't puff and blow up some information that has nothing to do with you. And you see this all the time. You call in and talk to the attorney and their staff, and they're talking about getting the case dismissed, information that doesn't have anything to do with your case.
The reason I know this is because I meet with people after they've met with other attorneys. They're scratching their head, saying, I don't understand why the attorney is saying this because it doesn't have anything to do with me -- but it was very optimistic. It sounded like he would be able to get my case dismissed. I'm like, wait a minute. Let's go over your case. Let's talk about it because I don't think the other attorney did that. So, it would help if you had all of the information before you could start making predictions about how a case will end.
So, I think honesty and being straightforward is significant factors. You don't want somebody who's just going to lie to you so they can get you to retain them and then break the bad news to you later -- you're going to have to plead guilty, and you're getting specific punishments that you don't want.
Unfortunately, people are very desperate when they get a DUI. These are usually honest, hardworking people. Many don't have a criminal record and don't want to get into the criminal justice system. They don't want to get a misdemeanor on their record. They don't want to face the loss of their license or their freedom, so they'll listen to whatever people are saying. Oh boy, that sounds good. I want to get the hell out of this.
But the reality is that when you get a DUI, you've got to handle it the right way, and if your blood alcohol level was over a .08, you're going to need an attorney. Even if you have a .08, they'll still charge that. So, don't be fooled by these people who are trying to puff.
What are the Related California Offenses?
- Vehicle Code 20002 VC – Misdemeanor Hit and Run,
- Vehicle Code 20001 VC – Felony Hit and Run,
- Penal Code 191.5(a) PC – Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated,
- Penal Code 191.5(b) PC – Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated,
- Penal Code 273a PC – Child Endangerment.
Contact the Hedding Law Firm for Help with a DUI
So, you just got a pretty good thumbnail sketch of the characteristics of the best DUI attorneys in Van Nuys, California, and that is that they're local to Van Nuys court, they're open and honest with you, they've got experience in dealing with the type of case that you are facing, and of course, and you feel comfortable with them.
So, if you need someone in Van Nuys court, you've come to the right place. I've been practicing there for many years. My office is close to the court. Pick up the phone. Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding. Hedding Law Firm's main office is located in the San Fernando Valley area of LA County, close to the Van Nuys Superior Court. We offer a free case evaluation at (213) 542-0963.
