A DUI puts your license, your record, and your freedom on the line. The clock starts the day of your arrest, so acting quickly matters.
A DUI defense takes someone who understands how the breath machine works, how preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) testing works, and the defenses that apply, such as rising alcohol, no-drive, and breathalyzer malfunction. Niki Mehan has considerable experience handling DUI cases, including cases involving alcohol, prescription drugs, accidents, and passengers in the vehicle, and has taken several DUI cases to jury trial.
Circle Law defends first, second, and third misdemeanor DUI charges (Vehicle Code section 23152), DUI causing injury (Vehicle Code section 23153), felony DUI, DUI involving drugs, underage DUI, and cases involving an allegation that the driver refused a chemical test.
Other criminal charges are covered on the criminal defense page.
A DUI conviction can mean license suspension, fines and court fees, DUI school, an ignition interlock device, higher insurance for years, probation, and in serious cases jail. A DUI is priorable for ten years, and out-of-state offenses can be raised as priors.
The firm examines the legality of the stop and the arrest, how the field sobriety tests were given, how the preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) and the breath or blood testing were conducted, and whether your blood alcohol was still rising when you drove. The firm files appropriate motions, including a motion to suppress evidence under Penal Code section 1538.5, when evidence was obtained improperly.
At the arraignment, the charges are read and release conditions are addressed. Before trial, the defense reviews the reports and the testing and files the motions the case needs, including a motion to suppress evidence that was improperly obtained. At trial, a jury decides whether the prosecution has proven the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Waiting can cost you options. The earliest decisions often matter most, and some deadlines pass quickly. The sooner you know where you stand, the more choices you still have.
Because you work directly with a seasoned trial lawyer who knows how to build a case and uses technology to keep it efficient.
Is the DUI court case the same as the DMV hearing?
No. A DUI arrest can lead to two separate proceedings, the criminal case in court and a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles about the driver's license. Circle Law defends both.
Has Circle Law tried DUI cases to jury verdict?
Yes. Circle Law has taken several DUI cases to jury trial.
Which courts hear the DUI cases that Circle Law handles?
DUI cases are heard in the superior court of each California county. Circle Law appears in courts across the state, including the counties listed under Courthouses where Circle Law appears.
How much does it cost to hire Circle Law for a DUI case?
Circle Law reviews your case and tells you what it costs before the work begins.
Circle Law represents clients in the courts of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Sacramento, and Los Angeles Counties.
Circle Law works in most California counties, including the eleven below.
The Superior Court of California, County of Alameda hears criminal cases at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, California 94612, telephone (510) 891-6009; the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, 661 Washington Street, Oakland, California 94607, telephone (510) 627-4702; the Fremont Hall of Justice, 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, California 94538, telephone (510) 818-7501; and the East County Hall of Justice, 5151 Gleason Drive, Dublin, California 94568, telephone (925) 227-6792. The Criminal Division clerk's offices at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, the Fremont Hall of Justice, and the East County Hall of Justice are open in person Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The clerk's office at the René C. Davidson Courthouse is open in person Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each office answers the telephone Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Official Alameda Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa hears criminal cases at the A.F. Bray Courthouse, 1020 Ward Street, Martinez, California 94553; the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Martinez, California 94553; the George D. Carroll Courthouse, 100 37th Street, Richmond, California 94805; and the Richard E. Arnason Justice Center, 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, California 94565. The main telephone number is (925) 608-1000. The criminal clerk telephone numbers are (925) 608-2611 for Martinez, (510) 942-2028 for Richmond, and (925) 608-1557 for Pittsburg, and they are answered from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The clerk's office windows are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding court holidays.
Official Contra Costa Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of Marin is at 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, California 94903, telephone (415) 444-7000. The Criminal Division clerk's office telephone number is (415) 444-7070. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Criminal Division telephone is answered from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Official Marin Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of Napa hears criminal cases at the Criminal Courthouse, 1111 Third Street, Napa, California 94559. The Criminal Division telephone number is (707) 299-1180, and the court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Official Napa Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco hears criminal cases at the Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco, California 94103, and hears some criminal cases at the Civic Center Courthouse, 400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, California 94102, and at the Community Justice Center, 575 Polk Street, San Francisco, California 94102. The Criminal Clerk's Office is in Room 101 of the Hall of Justice, telephone (415) 551-0651, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a drop box available from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telephone service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Official San Francisco Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo hears criminal cases at the Southern Branch, Hall of Justice, 400 County Center, 4th Floor, Redwood City, California 94063, and at the Northern Branch, 1050 Mission Road, South San Francisco, California 94080. The Criminal Division telephone number is (650) 261-5100, option 1, and the office and telephone are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays.
Official San Mateo Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara hears criminal cases at the Hall of Justice, 190 West Hedding Street, San José, California 95110, telephone (408) 808-6611; the Palo Alto Courthouse, 270 Grant Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94306, telephone (650) 462-3810; and the South County Courthouse, 301 Diana Avenue, Morgan Hill, California 95037, telephone (408) 695-5014. The clerk's offices and telephones are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Official Santa Clara Superior Court websiteThe Criminal Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Solano has clerk's offices at the Hall of Justice, 600 Union Avenue, Fairfield, California 94533, telephone (707) 207-7380, and at the Solano Justice Building, 321 Tuolumne Street, Vallejo, California 94590, telephone (707) 561-7880. The clerk's telephones are answered Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding court holidays, and the clerk's office accepts drop-in and appointment visits Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Official Solano Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma hears criminal cases at the Hall of Justice, 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, California 95403. The Criminal Division clerk's office telephone number is (707) 521-6620, answered Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the clerk's office counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except court holidays. The court's main information line is (707) 521-6500.
Official Sonoma Superior Court websiteThe Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento hears felony and misdemeanor cases at the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse, 500 G Street, Sacramento, California 95814, and at the Lorenzo Patiño Hall of Justice, 651 I Street, Sacramento, California 95814. The Criminal Division telephone number is (916) 874-5522, option 1. The Criminal Division at the Cantil-Sakauye courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding court holidays. The Hall of Justice is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding court holidays.
The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles hears criminal cases at courthouses throughout the county, including the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, California 90012. The Criminal Clerk's Office telephone number is (213) 628-7700, and the court's clerk's offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except court holidays.
Courts change their hours and telephone numbers, so please confirm with the court before you go. This court information was reviewed on October 21, 2026.
We fight for you and treat you with compassion.
We have high-caliber talent without the big-firm price tag.
We prepare every case with care and hold our work to a high standard.
“She took the time to clearly explain every step of the process, making a complex legal matter feel manageable.”
Google review
Read the reviews on GoogleLife's legal challenges can bring overwhelming emotions and difficult decisions, especially when your rights, your livelihood, or your future are on the line. You need someone who can guide you through it with clarity and strength. The choices you make early can shape everything that comes after.
Let our team focus on finding the path that works for your situation. Take the first step today, and move forward with confidence.