In Victorville, a key I-15 corridor city, DUI checkpoints are common near the Mall of Victor Valley, Stoddard Lake, and Dale Evans Parkway. The High Desert’s isolated roads and long commutes increase DUI risks – and penalties. Despite the rural feel, the Victorville Courthouse enforces state DUI laws aggressively. Because breath testing sites may be far away, blood draws are very common here, creating a time gap between driving and testing that is critical to your defense.
At Liberty Criminal Defense, Attorney Evan Vargas brings 20+ years of experience to the High Desert. We provide dedicated representation to residents of Victorville, Apple Valley, and Hesperia. We know that Victorville courts can be harsh, often imposing stricter jail sentencing minimums than other areas. We are here to fight for your freedom.
Evan Vargas has been defending DUI cases for over two decades. He knows the science, the law, and the local players. His experience allows him to craft creative defenses that less experienced lawyers might miss, such as challenging the preservation of blood samples in the desert heat.
We use defenses tailored to the region. We prove “Rising BAC” by showing the delay between driving and testing meant you were sober on the road. We expose improper blood storage in the hot climate. We use meteorological data to show that high winds, not impairment, caused you to weave or fail field sobriety tests.
We know the High Desert is a large area. We handle all court appearances for you, so you don’t have to drive down to the courthouse or take time off work. We keep you informed via phone and email every step of the way.
Victorville courts take a hard line. A BAC of 0.08% triggers an automatic charge. A refusal to test brings a 1-year hard license suspension. Prior DUIs result in enhanced penalties. We fight these charges by attacking the probable cause for the stop – did the officer really have a reason to pull you over?
While jail is a possibility, especially for second offenses, we fight for alternatives. In San Bernardino County, we can often negotiate for “work release” (picking up trash or highway work) instead of actual time behind bars. We also explore house arrest options.
We handle your DMV hearing to try to save your license. We challenge the officer’s report and the chemical test results to prevent the automatic suspension.
DUI cases in Victorville are heard at the San Bernardino Superior Court – Victorville District.
About the San Bernardino Superior Court in Victorville
Jurisdiction: Handles all criminal cases, including DUI arrests, originating in Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Barstow, and the expansive High Desert region of San Bernardino County.
Arraignment Proceedings: Initial court appearances where DUI defendants are formally charged, enter pleas, and have bail determined. Weekend and holiday arrests often result in Monday arraignments at this location.
Geographic Coverage: Serves the largest geographic area of any San Bernardino County courthouse, covering remote desert communities where DUI enforcement is concentrated on Highway 15 and Highway 395 corridors.
Pretrial Conferences: Defense attorneys meet with prosecutors to negotiate plea agreements, review discovery evidence including dashcam footage, and discuss potential charge reductions or alternative sentencing.
Jury Trial Proceedings: Both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases go to trial here, with local juries often drawn from High Desert communities familiar with desert highway conditions and CHP enforcement patterns.
Highway Patrol Cases: A significant portion of DUI arrests are made by the California Highway Patrol on Interstate 15, resulting in cases with specific evidentiary challenges related to rural traffic stops and delayed chemical testing.
Sentencing Options: Judges impose penalties ranging from standard probation to custody time, with consideration for work release programs and alternative sentencing given the rural nature and employment challenges of the region.
Department Organization: Criminal cases are distributed among multiple courtrooms, each handling different phases from arraignment through trial, requiring strategic calendar management by defense counsel.
Local Prosecution Approach: District attorneys assigned to Victorville pursue mandatory minimum sentences for cases involving accidents on desert highways and show limited flexibility on BAC levels above 0.15%.
DUI Program Access: The court coordinates with High Desert-based DUI education programs, though defendants may face longer travel distances to complete state-mandated classes compared to urban county locations.
Remote Appearance Options: Some pretrial hearings allow attorney-only appearances, reducing travel burden for defendants living in distant desert communities like Needles or Trona.
Absolutely. High winds in the High Desert frequently push cars out of lanes. We use weather reports to prove “weaving” was environmental, not evidence of impairment.
Yes. You do not have to drive down the hill to San Bernardino. There are approved providers in the High Desert. We ensure the court approves your local program.
It is rare for a first offense if handled correctly. We fight for probation and fines only, avoiding custody time.
We represent many out-of-state drivers. We can handle the case without you returning to California in most instances.
If you are a trucker on the I-15, a DUI is a career killer. We fight to save your CDL by challenging the evidence aggressively.
No. A refusal carries a “hard” suspension with no restriction option. This is why we fight the “refusal” allegation in court and at the DMV.
Alcohol takes time to absorb. If you drank right before driving, your BAC might have been 0.05% on the road but rose to 0.09% by the time you were tested an hour later. This means you were innocent of DUI while driving.
Expect total costs of around $2,000 to the court, plus DUI school fees. We offer payment plans for our legal fees to make defense affordable.
A misdemeanor DUI usually does not affect gun rights. A felony DUI conviction will result in a lifetime ban on owning firearms.
Immediately. The 10-day DMV clock starts the moment you are arrested. Call us to save your license.
