Fontana’s industrial corridors and freeway interchanges (I-10, I-15, I-210) make it a prime location for DUI enforcement, especially near Auto Club Speedway and Sierra Lakes. With thousands of daily commuters and a heavy trucking presence, the Fontana Police Department and CHP maintain constant vigilance. Arrests are frequent, and the consequences are severe.
At Liberty Criminal Defense, Attorney Evan Vargas specializes in protecting the livelihoods of Fontana residents. With over 20 years of experience, we understand the specific stakes for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders and regular commuters. A DUI here is not just a traffic ticket; it’s a threat to your career and your freedom.
Evan Vargas has been fighting for drivers since 2004. He knows the Fontana court system and the prosecutors who work there. His experience allows him to identify weak points in the state’s case, such as faulty breathalyzer calibration or illegal checkpoints, that may lead to a dismissal.
For truck drivers and logistics workers in Fontana, a DUI means a 1-year ban on commercial driving (0.04% limit applies). We fight to keep your record clean and your license valid. We understand the federal regulations and state laws that impact CDL holders and tailor our defense to protect your career.
We use science to fight your case. We audit breath machine records to find maintenance errors. We prove that medical conditions like acid reflux (GERD) cause mouth alcohol to contaminate the breath test results, creating a false high reading.
DUI Cases in Fontana are usually held at the Fontana Courthouse, San Bernardino Superior Court – Fontana District
About the San Bernardino Superior Court – Fontana District
Jurisdiction: Handles criminal cases, including DUI arrests, primarily originating in Fontana, Rialto, and the immediate surrounding areas, serving as a key venue for western San Bernardino County defendants.
Rialto Case Assignment: DUI arrests made by the Rialto Police Department are typically assigned to the Fontana District courthouse rather than the San Bernardino Justice Center, consolidating western county cases.
Arraignment Proceedings: Initial court appearances where DUI defendants are formally charged, enter not guilty pleas, and have bail reviewed or conditions of release established by the assigned judge.
CDL Violation Cases: Handles commercial driver’s license DUI cases in which defendants face enhanced consequences, including automatic 1-year CDL disqualification for 0.04% BAC or higher, even when driving personal vehicles.
Commercial Driver Impact: Judges and prosecutors recognize the severe employment consequences for CDL holders arrested in Fontana’s heavily industrial areas, though this rarely results in charge reductions given statutory requirements.
Limited Criminal Calendar: Operates with a more limited criminal docket compared with Rancho Cucamonga or San Bernardino Justice Center, primarily handling misdemeanor DUI cases and early-stage proceedings.
Case Transfers: Many felony DUI cases and complex misdemeanor trials are transferred to the Rancho Cucamonga District courthouse for jury trial proceedings due to courtroom availability and judicial resources.
Pretrial Conference Venue: Defense attorneys appear here for status conferences, plea negotiations with prosecutors, and resolution of straightforward misdemeanor DUI cases without the need for trial.
Fontana Police Department Cases: Primarily processes DUI arrests made by Fontana PD officers, including cases from high-enforcement areas like Sierra Avenue, Foothill Boulevard, and Interstate 10 interchanges.
Industrial Corridor Enforcement: Handles significant numbers of DUI arrests in Fontana’s warehouse and logistics district, including commercial drivers operating big rigs, delivery trucks, and company vehicles.
Local Sentencing: Judges impose standard misdemeanor DUI penalties, including probation terms, fines up to $1,800 plus assessments, mandatory DUI school enrollment, and license restriction requirements.
Proximity Advantage: Located centrally in Fontana, offering defendants and attorneys convenient access without traveling to Rancho Cucamonga or downtown San Bernardino for routine hearings.
Department Structure: Operates fewer criminal departments than larger county courthouses, resulting in more consistent judicial officers handling cases from arraignment through sentencing.
Prosecutor Assignment: Deputy district attorneys assigned here handle volume misdemeanor cases and typically have authority to negotiate standard plea agreements without supervisory approval for first-time offenses.
CDL Notification Requirements: The court ensures proper notification to the DMV Commercial Driver Section regarding convictions, which triggers immediate reporting to interstate databases, which then impacts nationwide driving privileges.
Traffic Violation Coordination: The court also handles related traffic citations accompanying DUI arrests, allowing resolution of all charges stemming from a single incident in one location.
Work-Furlough Eligibility: Judges at this location consider alternative custody arrangements, including weekend jail, work furlough, and electronic monitoring, which is critical for CDL holders trying to maintain employment.
Unfortunately, CDL holders are not eligible for restricted commercial driving privileges after a DUI suspension. This is why fighting the initial charge is critical to saving your job.
We challenge the legality of the checkpoint. If the police did not follow the operational plan or detained you for too long without cause, the stop was illegal, and the case could be dismissed.
It is a certificate of insurance you must file with the DMV to reinstate your license. It typically raises your rates. We can advise you on how to handle this.
Yes. Admitting to drinking is not admitting to being impaired or being over 0.08%. We can argue you were being honest, but were still safe to drive.
Most cases settle before trial. If we go to trial, it usually lasts 3-5 days. We handle the months of pre-trial hearings.
Yes, most first offenses result in 3 years of summary probation. Conditions include obeying all laws and not driving with any alcohol in your system.
Yes, usually, but Canada is strict about denying entry to people with DUIs. You may need a special permit to enter Canada.
We check the maintenance logs. If the machine was overdue for service or had error codes, we would move to exclude the results.
No, we attend to you. You only need to attend if we decide your testimony is crucial, which is rare.
It is free. Call us to discuss your case and get an honest assessment of your options.
