DUI Lawyers

Client Testimonials

  • Great Attorneys

    I have referred numerous cases to Valencia and Ippolito and my clients have always responded that they received caring and capable service. Obviously, criminal defense situations are quite sensitive, and the team at Valencia and Ippolito performed magnificently. I refer cases to them regularly and always receive very positive responses.

  • Highly Reputable

    I’ve dealt with Mr. Ippolito on a wide variety of criminal law cases as an opposing prosecutor. Mr. Ippolito is very well versed in each and every one of his cases and provides a well thought out and prepared insight from an adversarial perspective. This almost always results in a fair and equitable solution to…

DMV Hearings: How to avoid losing your driver’s license

If you are a Santa Clara County driver arrested for a DUI, the officer will immediately confiscate your California driver’s license and give you a pink colored notice. This document is known as a Suspension/Revocation Order and temporary driver’s license. (Please bring this pink paper with you for your consult or have it handy if we do a phone consultation.)

In California, you need to act fast to avoid automatic driver’s license suspension. If you don’t request a DMV hearing within 10 days, your license will be automatically suspended.

In order to win your DMV hearing, also known as an “administrative hearing,” you should (1) immediately request the DMV hearing, and (2) hire an experienced DUI lawyer to be by your side at your hearing.

It can be hard to win a DMV hearing. The hearing is decided by a DMV employee rather than a judge and the standard of proof for the hearing officer is very low. But simply having a hearing can benefit your case. At the very least it will postpone the suspension of your driver’s license and allow us to work out a restricted license so you can travel to and from work. Most of the time we can also shorten the actual time your license will be suspended.

We take a strategic approach to DMV hearings. Sometimes the police officer will make serious mistakes in the police report which will entitle you to an “Order of Set Aside” of your license suspension. Other times, we will use the DMV hearing as a mini deposition of the officer who arrested you. We often subpoena the officer who arrested you to the DMV hearing. This allows us to prepare the best defense possible by getting a preview of the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence against you.

Additional DUI Resources:
Quick Tips if You Are Stopped for a DUI
FAQs About DUI Charges

Why not start exploring your options?

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

70+ Years of Combined Experience.
Aggressive, Proactive Client-Centered.
Advice You Can Trust.

About VIB Law

When your freedom, your reputation and your career are on the line, you owe it to yourself and your family to have the best possible defense, and the most experienced lawyer defending you.

With over 70 years of combined criminal law experience, VIB Law is the largest and most successful criminal defense firm in Northern California. Our partners have consistently been recognized for excellence in their fields of practice. Partner Riccardo Ippolito won the “Top Lawyers In California” award presented by American Lawyer Media. Partner Patrick Valencia is a winner of the, “Juvenile Attorney of the Year” award presented by San Jose Magazine.

When the stakes are this high, why would you go with an “average” law firm?

Our Attorneys

Why choose VIB Law?

  • Aggressive – We take a fierce, client-centered approach to each of our DUI cases.
  • Proactive – We will review your case with you in our first consultation and give you simple steps to follow to put you in the best possible position for your first court date. For example, we may recommend you attend AA meetings or get into an outpatient treatment program before court. Or we may encourage you to use our private investigator to get witness statements taken to preserve possible defenses for trial.
  • Experienced – Our team of talented defense attorneys has more than 70 years of combined criminal law experience. There are numerous motions that we can use (for example a Motion to Suppress Evidence due to an illegal stop) to get our clients the best results.
  • Stay Out Of Jail – We completely dedicate ourselves to protecting the future and freedom of our clients. We look for alternatives for jail for all of our clients. These options include electronic monitoring, weekend work or community service, residential treatment, or other innovative sentencing ideas.
  • Award Winning – We are one of the Bay Area’s top rated DUI law firms.