I haven't written anything in a while but have been thinking about the type of clients I like the best.  Perhaps what would best describe the person, is the "Occasional Criminal."  It's the person that rarely or never comes into contact with law enforcement, other than to pass them on the street, see them at fundraisers for their children's schools or when attending political events like I did recently for Scott Jones, the person I hope to be our next Sheriff here in Sacramento County.  

I'm happy to spend the extra time to explain the system and go over the details.  I would much rather visit with a client, in my office over a cup of coffee, than the alternative, which is at the jail.  If you find yourself in the unfortunate predicament of being a first offender or at least not a regular in the criminal justice system, I think you may find this is the right law office for you.        

Finding the courthouse is a little confusing the first time.  The address is 10820 Justice Center Drive in Roseville.  There are two big buildings and the court is located in the second one.  The first building on the right is the District Attorney's Office and it also houses Probation and Revenue Services, where you make payment arrangements for court ordered fines.

My preference is to be early because the closer parking stalls go quickly, as do the seats in the DUI court.  Parking, however, is free and you will always be able to find a spot.

The doors to the building open about 8:00am.  There are usually quite a few people waiting outside when the doors open.  Once you enter the building there are two lines.  The attorney line is located on the right and the public line is on the left.  There are a couple of metal detectors and the line moves pretty well.  The machines are overly sensitive and I don't think I've ever made it through without having to take off my watch and belt.  Sometimes I even have to take off my shoes.  Think about what you put on the morning of court and about what you have in your pockets.  You'll be glad you did if you are running late.

Department 33 is on the first floor and is at the east end of the building, or to the left anyways.  The bailiff opens the doors to the courtroom about 8:30am.  Often times you'll find the morning calendar posted outside and to the right of the doors to the courtroom.  Check for your name and make a note of your number on the calendar.  By number, I mean #1, #2, #3, etc., rather than the court case number which looks like 62-012345.  The court personnel and judge seem to like this.

The private attorneys get to go first as a general rule.  If it is your intention to handle your case alone or to ask for the Public Defender you'll need to be patient.  Listen closely and you'll be able to figure out when it is time for you to approach the front of the court for your case.

There are two major differences between Placer County and the other counties where I practice.  The first is that Placer County does file DUI cases in instances where other counties might not.  This happens mostly in cases where the evidential blood alcohol result is below .08 but there is some evidence that it may have been higher at the time of the driving.  I have also noticed it with lower than .08 blood alcohol levels where the District Attorney believes they could prove impairment. The second difference is in the sentencing of DUI and related offenses.  There is a whole list of standard penalties for DUI cases, additional charges and enhancements.  The most frightening is that real jail time is required on half of the sentenced time on a second DUI.  They are a little more forgiving on low blood alcohol first offense cases.  Call Denis White Law at (916) 444-3300 or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions you might have about sentencing issues.

The court does not normally deal with DMV issues.  If you have concerns about your driving privilege, you should contact Denis White Law at (916) 444-3300 or another private DUI lawyer. 

The Placer County District Attorney has a policy of not providing a copy of police reports until after you have been arraigned.  This means that unless you've received reports from DMV, you don't know what the officer wrote about you and your case.  If you don't know what the reason for the stop was or you're not satisfied with what law enforcement told you, trust your instincts.  If you don't take the initiative to get a copy of the reports and read them, no one will ever know if the officer recorded the facts accurately.  Blood alcohol levels are measured by machines that are operated by people.  Machines and people make mistakes.  In Placer County DUI cases it is up to you or your Placer County DUI Lawyer to find them.  Call Denis White Law at (916) 444-3300 for help today.     

Unlike big city courts, the parking is mostly free.  Arrive a little early and you may even be able to get a spot directly in front of Department 9, which is located at 213 3rd Street and where you probably have to be for your Yolo County DUI case.  Look for a spot on 3rd between North Street and Court Street for the closest parking spaces.  

There is a single metal detector in the breezeway between the street and the court room.  Think about what you are wearing and what you have in your pockets before you get there, to avoid the delay of having to remove clothing, etc. or having to walk back to your car with items that are not permitted.

Pick up a copy of the white paper entitled "waiver of rights-misdemeanors" on your way into the Yolo County Court Department 9.  Read it over while you are waiting for your case to be called.  Don't fold it up, as you may be asked to sign and return it to the court. 

There are only 65 seats in Yolo County's Department 9 and some days it can be very crowded.  The front row is blocked out for attorneys and interpreters.  Take a seat as far forward as is available to avoid the distraction of the noise that comes from the room behind the court.  You won't hear it when you first arrive but it gets noisy as people go there after court to make payment arrangements.

You'll definitley want to be on time for the Yolo County DUI Court.  The doors open at about 8:00am and court starts at 8:30am with a short video.  The video has some information about the services of the Public Defender and goes over the advisement of rights paperwork that you should have picked up on the way in.

You'll know things are starting when the bailiff asks you to rise and the judge comes into court.  In the Yolo County DUI Court the judge will call you by name and does so in alphabetical order.  If the judge calls your name twice and you are not present, a warrant will be ordered.  Be on time or you'll suffer the embarassment of having to explain why you were late.

When your name is called you'll step forward to the podium and the judge will tell you what the Yolo County District Attorney has charged you with and what the penalties would be if you resolved your case.  Then the judge will ask you whether you would like to resolve your case or talk to an attorney first.

If you have a private attorney you'll be at the front of the line.  If you ask for a Public Defender you'll need to be patient.  Their office is right next door and they seem to come in as needed.  

If you have chosen to resolve your case, you'll be asked to sit at the long table at the front, the bailiff will hand you a form to fill out and sign and you'll be called back up shortly to enter your plea.  Under most circumstances you'll want to enter a no contest plea rather than guilty plea.  Call Denis White for a more detailed explanation if it is your intention to resolve your case alone.

Following the entry of a plea, you'll head into the back room to work out the details of the huge fine.  The fine on a Yolo County DUI (first offense) is approximatley $2900.00.  It is about a third higher than many other counties.  They also charge a bundle for the alternative sentence time.  There are too many issues to go into here surrounding sentencing.  If you want more information call Denis White at (916) 444-3300 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

The criminal courts do not deal with DMV issues, so if it is your driver's license you are concerned about you'll need to contact the law office of Denis White at (916) 444-3300 or another private DUI lawyer.

If you are uncomfortable with the reason law enforcement says they stopped you or they didn't give you a reason at all, trust yor instincts and seek legal advice.  If you don't believe you were under the influence at the time of the stop, again, trust your instincts.  Machines and people are not perfect and they do make mistakes.  Police reports are written by people that have to justify why they have arrested you, so don't expect complimentary information.  No one else is going to care more than you do.  If you don't make sure everything in the reports is accurate no one will ever know.  Call Denis White today at (916) 444-3300.      

In an earlier Blog, I mentioned that Sacramento County is part of a pilot program requiring Ignition Interlock Devices for first offense DUIs, beginning July 1, 2010.  On that same date, it is proposed that certain multiple offenders will be able to get a restricted license quicker than in the past.  The law, as it has been for some time, currently allows a restricted license on a second offense after one year of the license suspension.  The new law appears to allow a restricted license after just 90 days, if it is an "alcohol only" DUI and you can afford to put an Ignition Interlock Device on your vehicle.  Of course you still need to be enrolled in the multiple offender DUI school as well and have an SR22 on file with DMV.  

There are provisions for third offense cases and cases involving legal or illegal drugs as well.  You'll need to look at the law in SB 598 or call me at (916) 444-3300 for the details.