Moreno Valley is a critical transit hub and a hotspot for DUI checkpoints, especially along the 60 Freeway, Alessandro Boulevard, and Eucalyptus Avenue.
Situated between Riverside and San Bernardino, the Moreno Valley Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff maintain a heavy enforcement presence. With thousands of annual DUI arrests in the area, you need a DUI lawyer who understands both the law and the local prosecution patterns.
Don’t miss the 10-day deadline to request your DUI hearing. Call attorney Evan Vargas for 20 years of local DUI defense experience.
Defend Your DUI with a Local Indio DUI Lawyer
Evan Vargas has spent two decades fighting for drivers in Riverside County. This experience enables him to identify technical errors in police reports, including improper admonitions or equipment calibration failures, which can lead to case dismissals.
For clients at March Air Reserve Base (ARB), a DUI is a threat to your security clearance and your military career. We handle these cases with the discretion and urgency required. We understand the dual track of civilian court and command discipline, and we work to resolve the civilian case in a way that minimizes impact on your service.
We dig deeper than the police report. We analyze GPS data and traffic cam footage to contradict officer testimony. We audit breath machine maintenance logs to ensure the device is working correctly. We also investigate whether medical conditions (like diabetes or ketosis from diet) caused a false high BAC reading, providing a scientific defense against the charges.
A conviction under Vehicle Code 23152 can result in immediate license suspension, steep fines, and mandatory DUI education classes. For a first offense in Moreno Valley, you may also face a minimum of 48 hours in jail, although this can often be served through work release programs. We fight to avoid any custody time.
Prosecutors in Moreno Valley look for “enhancements” to increase penalties. These include having a BAC above 0.15%, refusing a chemical test, driving at excessive speeds, or having a child under 14 in the car. We challenge these enhancements vigorously, as they can turn a standard misdemeanor into a much more severe case with mandatory jail time.
The DMV hearing is your only chance to save your license from automatic suspension. We conduct these hearings regularly, cross-examining the police report and arguing for the preservation of your driving privileges based on technical legal defenses.
Most Moreno Valley cases are heard in downtown Riverside: Riverside Hall of Justice, 4100 Main Street Riverside, CA 92501
While assignments can change, Moreno Valley DUI arraignments are frequently heard in the following court locations:
The Southwest Justice Center regularly handles a high volume of DUI-related matters, including:
DUI cases are typically assigned to specific misdemeanor and felony criminal courtrooms within the Southwest Justice Center that frequently hear alcohol- and drug-related driving offenses.
Court appearances for DUI cases may include arraignments, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and trial, all of which take place at the Southwest Justice Center.
Civilian DUI arrests are often reported to military authorities. We can help guide you through the process and work to resolve the civilian case while limiting military repercussions.
Moreno Valley residents typically have their APS hearings handled by the San Bernardino Driver Safety Office. You do not need to attend; we appear on your behalf.
Yes. If you are suspended, you can usually obtain a restricted license that allows you to drive to work and DUI classes, or an IID-restricted license that enables you to drive anywhere.
Yes, there are several providers in Moreno Valley and neighboring Riverside to the northwest. We help you find a program that fits your work shift and meets the court’s requirements.
This is a “pretext stop.” While legal, the officer must still develop separate probable cause for the DUI investigation. If they detained you too long without evidence of impairment, we can argue unlawful detention.
The base fine is $390, but with “penalty assessments” and court fees, the total usually comes to around $2,000. This does not include the cost of DUI classes or insurance increases.
Often, yes. We can request that the judge convert the fine to community service hours if you are facing financial hardship.
A warrant will be issued for your arrest. If you have missed a date, call us immediately. We can often recall the warrant and appear to clear it up without you being sent to jail.
Generally, no, unless your employment contract specifies it or you drive a company vehicle. However, if you are convicted, the arrest becomes public record.
Yes. The margin of error on breathalyzers is often +/- 0.02%. We can explain to the court that your BAC could have been 0.06% or 0.07%, which is below the legal limit.
