Arrested for DUI? You have 10 days to save your license. Former San Mateo County Deputy Public Defender Thomas Greenberg knows how prosecutors build DUI cases, and he uses that inside knowledge to defend yours. Free consultation.
Available 24/7 | Se Habla Español | Virtual Consultations AvailableThomas Greenberg learned how prosecutors build DUI cases by defending against them for two decades
Deep knowledge of the Hall of Justice in Redwood City and the Northern Branch in South San Francisco
Your DMV hearing and your criminal case, handled together from day one
The 10-Day DMV Clock Is Already Running.After a DUI arrest, the DMV suspends your license automatically unless a hearing is requested within 10 days. We can request it today.
Protect My License
Most defense attorneys only know how to react to a prosecutor's case. Thomas Greenberg spent years as a San Mateo County Deputy Public Defender, so he knows exactly how the DA's office thinks, what evidence they prioritize, and where their DUI cases are weakest. That insider knowledge is the edge your defense needs.
A DUI is really two cases: the DMV case against your license and the criminal case against your record. DefendCA fights both from day one. DUI cases from San Mateo, Redwood City, Belmont, San Carlos, Foster City, and Menlo Park are heard at the San Mateo County Superior Court Southern Branch (Hall of Justice), 400 County Center, Redwood City, three blocks from our office. Cases from Daly City, South San Francisco, Pacifica, and Millbrae are typically arraigned at the Northern Branch in South San Francisco. You work directly with Thomas, not a junior associate, from the DMV hearing request through the final outcome. Learn how the criminal process works in California →
DefendCA defends every type of DUI charge filed in San Mateo County courts: first and repeat offenses, felony DUI, drug DUI, under-21 DUI, commercial driver DUI, breath test refusals, and DUI cases involving accidents.
Most first DUIs under Vehicle Code 23152 are misdemeanors, but they still carry jail exposure, fines, license suspension, and a lasting record. First-time offenders have the most options, from charge reductions to alternative sentencing. Learn what happens after a first-time DUI.
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California uses a 10-year lookback period. A prior DUI, even from another county or a wet reckless, raises the stakes sharply: longer jail exposure, longer license loss, and mandatory ignition interlock. These cases need aggressive defense.
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A DUI becomes a felony when someone is injured (Vehicle Code 23153), when it is your fourth offense within 10 years, or when you have a prior felony DUI. Prison is on the table. This is the moment to hire the most experienced defense you can find.
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You can be charged under Vehicle Code 23152(f) for driving under the influence of drugs, including cannabis and prescription medication taken as directed. These cases rely on blood tests and officer opinion, and they are very defensible.
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Refusing a chemical test after arrest triggers a one-year license suspension with no restricted license, on top of the DUI itself. Refusal cases have strict procedural requirements the police often get wrong. Can you refuse a breathalyzer in California?
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California has zero tolerance for drivers under 21. A BAC of just 0.01% can cost a young driver their license for a year, and a conviction can affect college, financial aid, and first jobs. We fight to protect their future.
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Commercial drivers face a 0.04% BAC limit, and a first DUI conviction means a one-year commercial license disqualification, even if you were arrested in a personal vehicle. Your livelihood is the case. We defend it that way.
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An accident adds restitution issues and often additional charges. Leaving the scene adds hit-and-run counts. An injury can elevate the DUI to a felony. Early intervention shapes how these charges are filed.
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Arrested in San Mateo County but live elsewhere? In most misdemeanor cases we can appear for you under Penal Code 977 so you do not have to fly back for every court date. California reports to most home states, so the case must be handled, not ignored.
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After a DUI arrest you are booked and released, and the officer takes your license and gives you a pink temporary license. You then have 10 days to request a DMV hearing. Your criminal case starts separately with an arraignment at San Mateo County Superior Court. Read the full DUI timeline from arrest to court.
You are taken to the station or county jail, booked, and usually released within hours with a notice to appear.
The officer confiscates your California license and issues a pink paper. It is both a temporary 30-day license and your DMV suspension notice.
We must request an Administrative Per Se hearing with the DMV within 10 days of arrest. Once requested, the suspension is put on hold until the hearing is decided.
A separate case about your license only, typically conducted by phone with a DMV hearing officer. We challenge the stop, the arrest procedure, and the test results.
Your first court date at the Hall of Justice in Redwood City, or the Northern Branch in South San Francisco for north county arrests. In most misdemeanor DUIs, Thomas can appear for you.
We obtain the police report, body cam footage, breath machine calibration records, and blood test chain of custody. Suppression motions can remove illegal evidence and end cases.
Most DUI cases resolve here. Depending on the evidence, outcomes range from full dismissal to reduction to reckless driving to minimized DUI penalties.
If the prosecution will not offer a fair result and the evidence is weak, we try the case. Two decades of San Mateo County jury trials matter here.
A first-time California DUI carries $390 to $1,000 in base fines (roughly $2,000 or more with assessments), up to 6 months in county jail, 3 to 5 years of probation, DUI school, and license suspension. Most first offenders avoid jail and can keep driving with an ignition interlock device. Penalties rise fast with priors and aggravating factors.
| First DUI | Second DUI | Third DUI | Felony DUI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / Prison | Up to 6 months (often avoided) | 96 hours to 1 year | 120 days to 1 year | 16 months to 3 years or more in state prison |
| Base Fines | $390 to $1,000 plus assessments | $390 to $1,000 plus assessments | $390 to $1,000 plus assessments | $390 to $1,000 or more plus assessments |
| License | 6-month suspension; restricted and IID options | 2-year suspension | 3-year revocation | Up to 4-year revocation |
| DUI School | 3 months (9 if BAC is 0.20% or higher) | 18 to 30 months | 30 months | 18 to 30 months |
| Ignition Interlock | About 6 months to drive without restriction | 1 year | 2 years | 2 to 3 years |
| Probation | 3 to 5 years | 3 to 5 years | 3 to 5 years | Formal probation or parole |
Aggravating factors that increase penalties: BAC of 0.15% or higher, test refusal, speeding enhancement, a child under 14 in the car, an accident, or being under 21. Hidden costs most clients do not expect: SR-22 insurance (often the largest cost over 3 to 10 years), towing and impound, DUI school fees, and possible professional license reporting duties for nurses, doctors, lawyers, and real estate licensees. A DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years and on your criminal record until it is expunged. Penalty ranges reflect California law as of 2026 under Vehicle Code 23152; exact terms depend on the facts of your case and the court.
The most valuable defense work in a DUI case happens in the first days. Waiting until your court date gives it away.
Days 1 to 10: DMV hearing request filed; your suspension is paused
Weeks 1 to 2: Evidence preservation letters sent; breath machine calibration and maintenance records requested
Before arraignment: Early contact with the DA's office can influence what gets filed, or whether charges are filed at all
Throughout: Stops without legal cause, skipped observation periods, uncalibrated machines, and mishandled blood samples all become defenses, but only if found while the evidence still exists
Free initial consultation and transparent flat-fee pricing
24/7 availability for urgent legal matters
"I was facing DUI charges and didn't know where to turn. Thomas Greenberg was available immediately, explained every step, and fought hard for me. The charges were reduced and I kept my license. I highly recommend DefendCA to anyone in San Mateo."
"DefendCA helped me through one of the most stressful experiences of my life. Thomas knew the San Mateo County court system inside and out, and he got my charge completely dismissed. His professionalism and dedication are unmatched."
Our client from San Mateo faced felony DUI charges that carried severe penalties, including jail time and hefty fines. Through meticulous investigation and aggressive negotiation, we successfully had the charges reduced to a misdemeanor, allowing our client to avoid incarceration and preserve their future opportunities.
Book a Free Consultation
From our Redwood City office at 605 Middlefield Road, three blocks from the Hall of Justice, DefendCA represents drivers arrested anywhere in San Mateo County. Arrested on the 101, 280, El Camino Real, or Highway 1? Wherever the stop happened, your case comes to the same local courts we have worked in for 20 years.
In most cases, time is not on your side. You need someone to fight for your rights today. We welcome the opportunity to speak to you regarding your case. The 10-day DMV clock is already running.
(650) 242-0021