Marin County Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

If you are arrested for a DUI in Marin County you would be wise to consult with a local experienced DUI attorney immediately. Attorney John Stanko has been defending driving under the influence case at the Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael since1996.

I am thoroughly familiar with the polices of the Marin County District Attorney’s Office concerning Driving Under the Influence cases and with the Marin County Superior Court procedures. The DA has had a long-standing practice of not negotiating on driving under the influence cases. To this end, the Marin County DA has a set of “standard” DUI punishments related to blood alcohol concentrations (BAC), accidents and whether there were any injuries or exaggerated facts concerning the arrest.

Reduction to a “wet” alcohol related reckless driving, or “dry” non-alcohol related reckless driving charge is not common in Marin County. Often the DA will either dismiss your case instead of filing on a .08 % BAC but you may be allowed to plead guilty to wet reckless on a .09 and in some cases a .10 BAC. If you don’t get an offer of a wet reckless you will be forced to plead guilty to a DUI or you will have to exercise your right to a jury trial. Trial by a jury places the burden on the District Attorney to prove every element of a drunk driving case beyond a reasonable doubt and the DA must convince all twelve jurors that you are guilty. The beyond a reasonable doubt standard is the highest standard of proof in a court in the United States of America.

Dedicated to Defending the Accused in Marin County

The DUI process starts with your arraignment, where you will enter a plea of not guilty and have your case continued to a future date. In Marin I can handle your first court appearance at the Criminal Clerk’s office, located in room C-10 of the Marin County Superior Court, without either of us having to appear in a courtroom. After entering a plea of not guilty by paper arraignment your case will be calendared for a COP/SET, change of plea/setting, date in Department M within 45 days. Prior to the COP/SET date I will receive your police reports, request additional discovery from the District Attorney, and thoroughly discuss your case and options with you.

My clients normally do not have to appear at the COP/SET court appearance where their case will likely be set for a motion to suppress evidence (dismiss the case), continued for further proceedings or set for a jury trial.

Start Your DUI Defense Now

Beware of any attorney that tells you that your DUI case in Marin County should be reduced to a wet or a dry, non-alcohol reckless driving, or whom guarantees you a result. They may be unfamiliar with the local policies or with drunk driving defense. Call or email local DUI attorney John Stanko for help. I personally handle all aspects of every driving under the influence case I defend in Marin County from arraignment through jury trial.

Marin County California includes the towns and cities of: Belvedere, Bolinas, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Marin City, Mill Valley, Novato, Olema, Point Reyse, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Stinson Beach, Tiburon, and Tomales Bay.