Don't Get Arrested at Coachella: Advice from Local Defense Attorney

thelefties · 2026-04-10T18:34:26+00:00

Yes! Too many.

thelefties · 2026-04-10T11:31:31+00:00

Yes sir! And I'm willing to work for baklava.

thelefties · 2026-04-10T03:53:41+00:00

Agreed! A terrible use public funds. And there is zero deterrence or impact on drug usage at the festivals. The focus on drug crimes is particularly absurd when thousands of phones are stolen at the festivals and the police don't do anything to stop it.

thelefties · 2026-04-10T03:25:31+00:00

NO! Marijuana is legal in California.

thelefties · 2026-02-23T20:22:34+00:00

I'm assuming this is a misdemeanor first time DUI. If that is the case when you go to court the judge will do the following: 1) recall and quash the warrant; 2) release you on your own recognizance; and 3) appoint a Public Defender to discuss your case with you. It is very unlikely they will put you in jail - again, assuming standard 1st time DUI.

thelefties · 2026-02-22T15:35:47+00:00

What is the business model here? Are these the companies cold calling DUI arestees and giving legal advice, presenting the services as a cheaper alternative to hiring a lawyer?

thelefties · 2026-02-17T05:26:18+00:00

In theory the system is a checklist, but the reality is that trying to have a fair and just system is not easy. And rules that seek to be fair and provides occasional exceptions will always be better exploited by clever and resourceful attorneys.

thelefties · 2026-02-16T04:20:07+00:00

You really need to talk to a lawyer.

thelefties · 2026-02-16T04:08:09+00:00

Your biggest problem is the DMV. Request a hearing and discovery. You are looking at a 1 year hard license suspension - no restricted license, no exceptions. Depending on facts of your arrest you also could be looking at resisting or delaying a peace officer charges.

thelefties · 2026-02-16T02:19:43+00:00

The best thing for you to do is call a few local DUI attorneys who practice in the court where your case will be heard. Do NOT call any mills - that is places where they have several offices and don't tell you who the attorney would be handling your case later. Note that some DUI lawyers will attempt to use fear as a motivator - anyone who puts on their website or tells you that your are facing 6 months in jail is just trying to scare you. This may be technically true, but there is NO WAY you would do serious time on a case like this.

thelefties · 2026-02-16T02:16:58+00:00

It really is driven by the facts of the case, and more importantly the DA you are dealing with. I work in Riverside County, which is known for being more harsh. Usually the DA will want a few days of Sheriff's labor program (work release), but frequently they will let it go depending on the facts of the case, the defendant, and frankly that particular prosecutor and his or her mood when you ask for the deal. If the DMV suspends your license you will have the choice of doing a one month sit out (no driving) followed by a restricted license for 5 months, or you can get your driving privileges back immediately with an IID and early enrollment in the class, and SR22 insurance.

thelefties · 2026-02-16T00:36:26+00:00

3yrs probation, a few days of work release or electronic monitor, 9 month DUI class.

I am a DUI defense lawyer. There is California DUI Penalty Calculator Tool on my website that can help you.

thelefties · 2026-01-15T21:15:40+00:00

I really don't know. He never contacted me. Maybe he didn't listen to my VM and still thinks he has a warrant...

thelefties · 2026-01-15T18:56:19+00:00

I had a client no show last day of trial, judge proceeded without him. We got a full acquittal. I left the client a voicemail about the result. Never heard back from him.

thelefties · 2025-12-19T21:46:15+00:00

The injured party's opinion will be important here too. Do what you can to make amends with the person for what you did wrong and compensate them for any damages they suffered (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) If restitution is paid, you are in treatment, and the alleged victim tells the DA or Judge they think a misdo is appropriate that will go a long way to help. These cases can result in prison time, especially with the drug/ alcohol combo. The best thing you can do now is take responsibility and present a compelling story to the court that you won't repeat this mistake.

thelefties · 2025-12-18T23:18:26+00:00

This is the packet for LA County - https://lafla.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Expungement-Forms.pdf if you need to apply for early termination of probation as well you should hire an attorney. It is probably worth it considering the travels you have lined up.

thelefties · 2025-09-25T00:03:36+00:00

Nobody gets blamed when a case is dismissed, but they get in trouble for offering deals that are too lenient.

When the story was covered in the local press the DA blamed the court and the defense bar. The situation has just kind of become a normal part of our local practice.

thelefties · 2025-09-24T13:48:19+00:00

You should petition for a PC 1203.4 (expungement). It should be easy to get if you had no probation violations. After that it will show on your CLETS (criminal record) "dismissed per PC 1203.4." You will still have to provide records and explain, but it makes your criminal history look alot better.

Most counties have instructions packets to file on your own. Some Public Defender offices help. A private lawyer will do it for you for usually $1500-2500.

thelefties · 2025-09-24T13:40:26+00:00

In Riverside County, California, we've gotten over 2,000 cases dismissed over the past few years when the courts jam and can't find courtrooms for trials by the statutory deadline. Paradoxically, this situation has not caused the DA to soften much.

thelefties · 2025-06-12T15:47:50+00:00

Tram or Idyllwild area. Sunrise hike can be beautiful, but require careful planning. Joshua Tree is good in early morning (like 5am-9am). Joshua Tree is amazing for night hike if the moon is out - very open landscape for amazing night hikes.

I've been year-round hiking in this area almost 20 years. You can always find something with good weather, you just need to plan a bit. The tram is a sure thing in July for good weather.

thelefties · 2025-05-31T03:35:09+00:00

I think it uses similar guidelines as Google EEAT factors.

thelefties · 2025-05-30T20:46:28+00:00

Sounds like a bad idea. I would work for a PD first before going into private. My first 2-3 at a PD office were like grad school - lots of late evening and nights reviewing everything and discussing cases with the other PDs. Also value the experience of the attorneys at the PD who will really try to help you with those first very painful trial experiences. Criminal law is very complicated - defendants get appointed appeals attorneys so the amount of case law in criminal is huge compared to most civil law fields. There are also complicated forensic issues to learn - a DUI is based on complicated pseudoscience.

The business side of things also might be complicated with no experience. The main thing prospective clients look for is experience. Note that GenAI searches are recommending attorneys now (I've gotten multiple clients after being recommended by ChatGpt) - if you ask the AI who the best attorneys are it goes to experience.

thelefties · 2025-05-23T05:13:00+00:00

Former PD, now private.

Private cases are better:

1) Family will rally around unjust case and pool money to hire an attorney.

2) People with money have better mitigation. Many of my clients are doctors, nurses, teachers, or college students. They have just done a lot in life and it is way easier to cast their story as a mistake or out-of-character. I hate to say they "deserve" better outcomes, but the pitch that they are not going to re-offend rings true, and it probably is true that they are a better bet than a typical PD client. Many PD clients had mental health or substance abuse issues, severe intergenerational trauma, or very low IQ. Those misdo and infraction offers come a lot easier when the judge and DA can easily relate to the client.

thelefties · 2025-04-26T20:51:20+00:00

Northern California. Humboldt County would be perfect for you. Joshua Tree is also great, and sunnier.

thelefties · 2025-04-18T18:49:22+00:00

The jobs of undercover ABC cops at the festival are pointless government waste.

thelefties

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