Camarillo DUI and Criminal Defense Attorney
Camarillo is one of the quieter cities in Ventura County, but the 101 runs straight through it, and that is where most Camarillo criminal cases begin. The single charge I see most from Camarillo is DUI: ordinary, hardworking people stopped on the freeway or coming home from dinner, facing the criminal justice system for the first time in their lives. If that is you or someone in your family, take a breath. A first arrest is not the end of anything, and handled correctly, it often ends far better than you fear. I have practiced criminal defense in Ventura County for 30 years, with more than 20,000 court appearances, and my office is minutes away in Oxnard. Call me at 805-889-9000. I answer personally, 24/7, and the consultation is free.
Arrested for DUI in Camarillo? Start the Clock
Two things every Camarillo DUI arrest has in common. First, the deadline: you have only 10 days from arrest to request a DMV hearing, or your license is automatically suspended, and in a commuter city like Camarillo, losing your license means losing your life’s logistics. Request the hearing in time and you keep driving until it is decided; win it and there is no suspension at all. Second, the case is more defensible than it feels: the legality of the stop, the field sobriety tests, the calibration of the breath machine, and the handling of the blood draw are all places these cases are won. And even where the evidence holds up, California’s ignition interlock rules now let most first offenders keep driving without interruption. A DUI is also where my courthouse experience pays off most directly. I have defended thousands of DUIs, I know exactly what a first-offense Camarillo DUI is worth in the Ventura County courts, and I will tell you honestly in one phone call.
Where Camarillo Cases Are Heard
There is no criminal courthouse in Camarillo: misdemeanor and felony cases from Camarillo are heard at the Hall of Justice on Victoria Avenue in Ventura. This is the courthouse where I have spent nearly every working day for three decades. And on all misdemeanors, I appear in court for you: you never miss a day of work or set foot in a courtroom. I handle the appearance, then call you with exactly what happened and what comes next.
Cases I Defend
While DUI leads the list in Camarillo, I defend every kind of criminal charge filed in the Ventura County courts:
- DUI/DWI
- Felony DUI Causing Injury
- Driving While Suspended & DMV Issues (including medical suspensions)
- Drug Crimes
- Assault and Battery
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Theft & Shoplifting
- Judicial Diversion in Ventura County
- Domestic Violence
- Sex Crimes
- Three Strikes Cases
- Conspiracy
- Carjacking
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Homicide (overview)
- Criminal Threats, Firearms Offenses, Hit and Run & Other Crimes
- Expungement & Record Clearing
- Probation Violations
- Getting Charges Reduced
- Getting a Bail Bond
Whatever the charge, my three questions never change: Can I get it dismissed? If not, can I get it reduced? And can I keep you out of jail?
Many Camarillo Misdemeanors Can Be Dismissed Entirely
If your charge is a non-DUI misdemeanor, know this: under California’s judicial diversion law (PC 1001.95), the judge can place most misdemeanor cases on diversion even over the DA’s objection. Complete the court’s terms and the case is dismissed, with no conviction. In my experience, the Ventura County courts grant diversion routinely in appropriate cases, and it is one of the first things I evaluate in every misdemeanor I take. Full details on my Judicial Diversion in Ventura County page.
A Local Attorney, in Every Sense
I grew up in Ventura County, my office has been in neighboring Oxnard for over 25 years, and the courthouse that will hear your Camarillo case is where I have made the overwhelming majority of my 20,000+ appearances. When you call 805-889-9000, you get me: no secretary, no paralegal, no associate, with flat fees quoted up front and an honest assessment of your case from the first conversation. Free consultation, available 24/7.
How to Choose the Right DUI Attorney in Ventura County
Choosing the right DUI attorney is an important decision. Experience in the local courts, knowledge of DUI defense, DMV hearing experience, and personal communication with your attorney are all factors you should consider before hiring a lawyer.
I have written a detailed guide explaining what to look for when choosing a DUI attorney, including the questions you should ask and why local Ventura County experience matters.
Read: How to Choose the Best DUI Attorney in Ventura County.