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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    2

    Default Warrant For Failure To Complete DUI First Offender Program in California

    Hi, just signed up but I'm already finding this forum extremely useful. Anyway, on to my issue:

    A while back I got a DUI in California (where I still live), went to court, plead guilty on the main DUI charge, and got the standard first offender penalties: Fine, 2 days of SWP (community service basically), and the first offender class.

    I did not, however, complete the first offender class. I had initially signed up for it, but after paying off the fine and doing the SWP days, I just forgot about it. It wasn't until I finally tried to get my license back that I realized a warrant had been issued for probation violation.

    Anyway, I'm not concerned with anyone actually showing up, as this was in the next county over, and I'm not currently driving anywhere so I'm not worried about that, but I'd like to get this taken care of since I will want my license back eventually and obviously I don't want this on my record for employment reasons.

    I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how likely this is to be a serious issue if I turn myself in at the court, which is what they told me to do when I called. Will I be held in jail, and if so will the bail be set at something I can't afford, like $10,000+? If this is the case, would I do better having a lawyer handle it? It was an honest mistake, but I'm guessing negligence and being really busy isn't an excuse the courts really appreciate. Will the fact that I've paid the fine, done the community service, and generally done everything else correctly help me out?

    I was considering hiring a well-rated major CA DUI firm to sort this out, but is that a waste of money? My primary concern is avoiding spending any time in jail or paying an absurd amount for bail which I simply don't have and can't get (college student!).. Is paying for the lawyer going to help here? Would I be better off just going in by myself, or hiring a cheaper generic criminal attorney, or would it be worth it to hire a decent DUI firm?

    Also, any idea how much this should cost, in terms of the lawyer? I just need the attorney to get me back into a position where I can actually finish the DUI stuff for good (right now I couldn't sign up to complete the first offender program even if I tried, obviously).

    I realize the generic answer is, "get a lawyer," but I'm looking to keep the cost on this as low as possible and I have no idea how these guys charge for this kind of stuff.

    Thanks for any help you can provide!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Warrant For Failure To Complete DUI First Offender Program in California

    I'm going to sum up my questions, as I realized my post is kind of long and rambling (can't edit OP since it was moved by admin):

    1) What's the normal reaction to this type of technical probation violation if I just turn myself in?
    2) Any ideas on the average range of cost for retaining an attorney to handle this?
    3) Would hiring my own attorney make a notable difference, or is this pretty much a situation where I don't have options?
    4) Is it possible that a lawyer can simply get me another chance to do the FO class, or is additional sentencing now assured?

    Thanks in advance.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Warrant For Failure To Complete DUI First Offender Program in California

    Your best bet? Call some local criminal defense lawyers, ask what they would charge, and ask what outcome they would anticipate based upon your judge and probation officer.

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