A DUI arrest in Rialto, whether near the 210 Freeway, Downtown Plaza, or Carter Park, requires an urgent legal response. Rialto’s central Inland Empire location means heavy traffic and frequent sobriety checks by the Rialto Police Department. You face criminal charges and a separate administrative license suspension.
At Liberty Criminal Defense, Attorney Evan Vargas acts fast to protect your rights before the 10-day DMV window closes. With over 20 years of experience, we know how to fight Rialto DUI cases. We use our knowledge of the local court system to get the best possible results for our clients.
Evan Vargas has been a DUI defense attorney for over two decades. He knows the tactics prosecutors use and how to counter them. His experience gives you the best chance of saving your license and your freedom.
We know how the San Bernardino County DA’s office prosecutes Rialto DUIs. We use this to our advantage by highlighting inconsistent officer notes, proving skewed breath results, and demonstrating a lack of driving (e.g., sleeping in a parked car).
We don’t just focus on the criminal element of your DUI case. We fight the DMV suspension tooth and nail. We challenge the officer’s paperwork and the chemical test results to keep you on the road.
Rialto cases are typically assigned to the Fontana District of the San Bernardino Superior Court
About the San Bernardino Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Handles criminal cases, including DUI arrests, primarily originating in Fontana, Rialto, and the immediate surrounding areas, serving as a convenient location 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 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.
Limited Criminal Calendar: Operates with a more limited criminal docket compared to 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.
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.
Traffic Violation Coordination: 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, given Fontana’s demographic and employment considerations.
Evan Vargas will represent you throughout your DUI case. However, the judge may order your appearance during the trial or sentencing phase. Consider the following when attending the Superior Court:
Most adult misdemeanor and felony DUI cases, which require a prosecutor and jury trial, are transferred to the Rancho Cucamonga or San Bernardino Justice Center. Always verify your paperwork to ensure your appearance hasn’t been moved to one of those larger criminal divisions.
The courthouse consists of two main levels. Traffic and DUI-related infraction hearings are typically conducted on the 1st Floor in the designated traffic departments. The 2nd Floor is largely dedicated to Small Claims and Landlord/Tenant (Unlawful Detainer) matters. Check the digital monitors in the main lobby or the printed lists outside the courtroom doors to confirm if your name is on the morning (8:00 AM) or afternoon (1:30 PM) calendar.
After entering the main doors and passing through the mandatory security screening/metal detectors, locate the Traffic Clerk’s window if you need to pay a fine or clear a warrant. For a scheduled court appearance, go directly to your assigned courtroom. You must check in with the bailiff or the clerk inside the courtroom before the judge takes the bench to ensure you are marked as “present.”
If your license is suspended, you will need an SR-22 to get it reinstated. We can refer you to insurance agents who specialize in this.
Yes. Science is not perfect. We challenge the calibration and administration of the test to find errors.
By driving in California, you consent to testing if arrested. Refusal leads to a 1-year suspension. We challenge the validity of the arrest to void this consent.
Only if you cannot afford a private lawyer. Public defenders are overworked. We offer payment plans to make private defense accessible.
Usually 3-6 months. We handle the appearances so you don’t have to miss work.
It is a common alternative to fines or jail. We can negotiate for this if you prefer.
It is possible if there are significant legal errors. More commonly, we negotiate reductions to non-DUI charges.
We can move to suppress statements made after arrest. This can weaken the case significantly.
Likely yes, if you want to drive during the suspension. San Bernardino is a pilot county for IIDs.
Look for experience and local knowledge. Evan Vargas has 20+ years of both.
