Our goal is to help people in the best way possible. this is a basic principle in every case and cause for success. contact us today for a free consultation.
- 1458 Esplanade, Chico, California
- 530-345-5678
If you were just arrested for driving under the influence, two separate legal clocks are already ticking against you. You face an upcoming criminal case in the Butte County Superior Court and an immediate administrative review through the DMV Driver Safety process. You have only 10 days to challenge the DMV or you will automatically lose your license.
Rooney Law Firm fights every type of drunk driving charge throughout Northern California, including Chico, Butte County, Redding, and Yuba City. You speak directly with Michael Rooney, a veteran lawyer who delivers a 95 percent win rate in contested trials. Call or text our office right now to protect your driving privileges, protect your career, and build your defense strategy.
A single driving under the influence arrest triggers two completely separate legal battles that threaten your future. First, you face a criminal case in the Butte County Superior Court that carries risks of expensive fines, mandatory probation, jail time, and a permanent criminal record. Second, you face an administrative case with the California DMV that directly targets your driving privileges. These two systems run on entirely different timelines, and you only have a strict 10-day window to take action to stop an automatic driver’s license suspension. You can learn more about how to protect your driving privileges on our dedicated DMV hearing and license suspension page.
We confront the evidence against you to build a trial-ready defense for every type of drunk driving charge.
A first offense is overwhelming, but it does not mean your life is over. While a first-time conviction rarely results in jail time, the long-term impact on your criminal record, insurance rates, and driving privileges is still severe. You can minimize these consequences by speaking with a skilled first-time DUI lawyer immediately.
California judges treat multiple offenses with increasing severity. A second or third conviction triggers mandatory minimum jail sentences, longer probation terms, and extended driver’s license suspensions. You need an aggressive strategy from a dedicated repeat DUI lawyer to protect your freedom and keep you out of custody.
Drunk driving charges escalate to felonies under specific legal circumstances. The state will charge you with a felony if you have three prior convictions, a previous felony DUI conviction, or if an accident caused physical injury to another person. These charges expose you to state prison time, making it critical to retain an aggressive felony DUI lawyer right away.
Declining the chemical test after an arrest triggers immediate administrative penalties. California law enforces a mandatory one-year hard suspension of your license if you refuse the breath or blood test, and you cannot get a restricted license during this time. A knowledgeable DUI test refusal lawyer can challenge the lawfulness of the refusal allegation and the procedures used by law enforcement.
Your criminal case does not control your driving privileges. You must separate the court process from the administrative battle to stop the state from suspending your driver’s license. You only have 10 days from your arrest to request a formal DMV hearing and license suspension review to protect your right to drive.
Our courtroom experience extends to specialized and complex automotive charges. We represent clients facing driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), including prescription medication and marijuana cases. We also defend commercial drivers (CDL holders) fighting to save their livelihoods, underage drivers under age 21 facing zero-tolerance violations, out-of-state drivers arrested while traveling, and individuals facing severe DUI charges that involve accidents and injuries.
You have exactly 10 calendar days from the date of your driving under the influence arrest to challenge the state suspension. If you miss this strict deadline, the California DMV will automatically suspend your driver’s license. Your criminal court dates do not pause this administrative action, meaning you must act immediately to protect your driving privileges. You can stop this automatic penalty by requesting a formal DMV hearing and license suspension review within the 10-day limit.
The steps you take immediately following a drunk driving arrest can drastically alter the outcome of your case. Avoid panic and focus on protecting your rights by executing these critical actions:
You deserve a trial firm that knows exactly how the state builds its case against you. Michael Rooney protects your future using over 30 plus years of courtroom experience in Butte County and Northern California. As a former prosecutor, public defender, and Chief Probation Officer, he identifies the flaws in police reports and chemical testing errors that other lawyers miss. You can learn more about his background on our Michael Rooney legal background page.
Our record stands on proven courtroom results. We maintain a 95 percent win rate in contested trials, confirming our ability to protect your rights before a judge or jury. When you choose our firm, you talk directly with Michael Rooney throughout your case, meaning your future is never passed to an intake person or junior associate.
The Chico News and Review named our office a top law firm 12 times, and our defense work earned a California State Senate Award. Your first conversation is a free, confidential consultation with no obligation. Call or text our office today, and we will return most calls the very same day.
You have exactly 10 calendar days from the date of your arrest to challenge your license suspension. You must contact the DMV directly within this timeline to request an administrative hearing. Missing this hard deadline means the state automatically suspends your driving privileges regardless of what happens later in your criminal court case.
Most driving under the influence arrests are charged as misdemeanors in the Butte County Superior Court. However, the state will elevate the charge to a felony if you have three prior convictions, a previous felony DUI conviction, or if the incident caused injury to another person. Felony charges carry severe state prison exposure.
You are not legally required to hire an attorney, but facing the legal system alone carries severe risks. A first conviction stays on your record for 10 years and triggers expensive fines, probation, and license suspensions. A dedicated trial attorney reviews police reports for constitutional violations and helps you protect your career.
Your license will be suspended automatically unless you request an administrative DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest. If you request the hearing on time, your driving privileges remain active until the review concludes. A successful defense at the hearing or in court can prevent you from losing your driving privileges.
The DMV case is an administrative review that only determines whether the state suspends your driver’s license. The court case is a separate criminal proceeding in the Butte County Superior Court that determines guilt, fines, probation, or jail time. You must fight and win both cases independently to fully protect your future.
The total financial cost of a defense depends entirely on the complexity of your charges and whether your case goes to a contested trial. Our firm provides a completely free, confidential consultation to evaluate your specific situation without obligation. We discuss the case details and clarify financial expectations directly before you hire us.
Speak directly with a Chico DUI lawyer before the 10-day DMV deadline expires. A structured four-step defense strategy built around the Butte County Superior Court system and the specific patterns of local prosecutors.
Our goal is to help people in the best way possible. this is a basic principle in every case and cause for success. contact us today for a free consultation.