Chino blends suburban neighborhoods with major roadways, such as Grand Avenue and the 71 Freeway, creating frequent DUI patrol zones. Whether you’re a student, parent, or professional, a DUI Offense here can threaten your stability. The Chino Police Department partners with CHP on “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaigns, resulting in many arrests.
At Liberty Criminal Defense, Attorney Evan Vargas provides strategic, compassionate DUI defense for Chino and Chino Hills residents. With over 20 years of experience, we know how to navigate the legal system to protect your rights. We focus on early intervention and aggressive negotiation to get the best possible outcome for your case.
Evan Vargas has successfully defended thousands of DUI cases. He knows the San Bernardino County courts and how to get results. His experience allows him to spot issues that other lawyers miss, such as problems with the chain of custody for blood samples or illegal traffic stops.
We don’t wait for court. We review evidence within 48 hours of retention. We send letters immediately to preserve surveillance video from nearby businesses or dashcams before it is deleted. This proactive approach often gives us the evidence we need to get charges dropped or reduced.
We explore all options for diversion programs for first-time, non-injury cases. If eligible, these programs can allow you to earn a dismissal of the charges, keeping your record clean.
In Chino, prosecutors typically file both VC 23152(a) for impairment and VC 23152(b) for having a BAC of 0.08% or higher to maximize conviction chances. This allows them to secure a guilty verdict based solely on the officer’s observations of erratic driving, even if your chemical test results are technically flawed or inadmissible. Because San Bernardino courts treat these as separate avenues for guilt, an effective defense must independently attack the science of the BAC test and the subjectivity of the field sobriety tests.
While cannabis DUIs fall under the same statutes as alcohol, proving impairment is harder for the prosecution because there is no “per se” legal limit for THC in the blood. Prosecutors must rely heavily on the arresting officer’s testimony regarding field sobriety tests rather than a definitive lab result, as THC metabolites can linger long after impairment fades. This scientific ambiguity allows the defense to argue that the presence of drugs in a blood sample does not prove the driver was unsafe or impaired at the time of the stop.
A standard DUI charge in Chino escalates significantly if “enhancements” like reckless speeding or having a minor in the car are involved, often triggering mandatory jail time. These aggravating factors transform a routine misdemeanor into a high-stakes case, potentially leading to additional child endangerment charges that carry severe social and legal consequences. Because San Bernardino County aggressively pursues these enhancements, negotiating to strike them is often the primary focus for defense attorneys.
Most Chino DUI cases are heard at the San Bernardino Superior Court, Rancho Cucamonga District.
About the San Bernardino Superior Court, Rancho Cucamonga District.
Jurisdiction: Handles all criminal cases, including DUI arrests, originating in Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Ontario, Upland, Montclair, and surrounding western San Bernardino County communities.
Arraignment Proceedings: First court appearance where charges are formally read, bail is addressed, and defendants enter initial pleas. Most DUI defendants appear here within 48 hours of arrest if held in custody.
High-Volume DUI Docket: Processes a high volume of DUI cases due to heavy traffic enforcement on Interstate 10, Interstate 15, and Haven Avenue corridor.
Pretrial Hearings: The court conducts settlement conferences and pretrial motions where defense attorneys negotiate with prosecutors or challenge evidence, such as breathalyzer calibration records or traffic stop legality.
Jury Trial Venue: Felony DUI cases and contested misdemeanor DUI cases are tried before juries in this courthouse, with proceedings often lasting 2-5 days depending on complexity and witness availability.
DMV Hearing Coordination: While administrative DMV license suspension hearings occur separately at the nearby San Bernardino Driver Safety Office, court proceedings here directly impact your criminal record and run parallel to DMV actions.
Sentencing Court: Judges at this location impose penalties ranging from probation and fines to jail time, DUI school enrollment, and ignition interlock device requirements based on conviction severity and prior record.
Department Assignments: DUI cases are assigned to specific departments within the courthouse, each overseen by different judges with varying approaches to plea negotiations, evidentiary standards, and sentencing philosophy.
Local Prosecutor Approach: The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office assigned here is known for aggressive prosecution of repeat offenders and cases involving accidents, injuries, or high BAC levels above 0.15%.
Ontario Airport Cases: Handles specialized DUI arrests occurring near Ontario International Airport, including cases involving rental vehicles and out-of-state defendants requiring special appearance arrangements.
Sobriety Checkpoint Arrests: Processes large numbers of DUI cases originating from planned sobriety checkpoints conducted by Fontana PD and Ontario PD, creating opportunities to challenge checkpoint legality and procedures.
Traffic Court Integration: The facility also handles related traffic violations, allowing defense attorneys to address both DUI charges and associated infractions like speeding or unsafe lane changes in consolidated proceedings.
Yes, speeding provides probable cause for the stop. However, we can argue that the ability to speed actually demonstrates control of the vehicle, contradicting claims of impairment.
The San Bernardino Driver Safety Office oversees Chino cases. We will handle the hearing for you.
A “Dry Reckless” is a reckless driving charge with no alcohol mentioned. It is better than a Wet Reckless. We fight for this outcome when the evidence is weak.
Yes. California has a zero-tolerance law. Any BAC over 0.01% results in a 1-year suspension for drivers under 21.
Your rates will likely double or triple. You will need an SR-22 for three years.
Yes, after probation (usually 3 years), we can file for expungement to clear your record.
A clean record helps. We use your good character to negotiate for lighter sentencing or diversion.
Not usually, unless you have a contract that requires it.
For a first offense, typically 6 months, but you can drive immediately with an IID-restricted license.
They are part of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. We know their procedures and how to challenge their reports.
