Can I plead guilty to a DUI charge in advance?

Can I plead guilty to a DUI charge in advance even though I haven't gone? I don't want to have to go to my hearing.
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Answered By: Law Office of Edward J. Blum
No. You have to show up at the first hearing OR you have to hire an attorney to appear for you. He can submit a notarized Tahl waiver form from which the Court can take your guilty plea without you showing up.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/31/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Louie & Kitsuse
Unfortunately not. I have represented clients who did not wish to appear for court, and still provided the best defense for them, without them appearing in court.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/31/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Eric Sterkenburg
You have to be present when you plead guilty so that the judge may sentence you. You need to be present to plead guilty to be sure the court knows you understand your rights. One way around this is to hire an attorney to make the appearance for you. However, he needs a notarized statement saying that you understand your rights, you give up those rights and your attorney has the authority to enter a guilty plea on your behalf and to hear your sentence.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Tracey S. Sang
You can plead guilty as early as the first appearance (arraignment.) But you must go unless you have an attorney to appear for you. If the plea forms are filled out and signed you need never appear if you have an attorney. This usually involves hiring a retained attorney as, to get the Public Defender, you must fill out an application at court.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Jeff Yeh
You will need to go to court to "advance" the case. However, if this is a first arraignment, advancing is highly not recommended. Every now and then a case slips through the cracks and is not filed or some reason or another. By going to court and bringing attention to your case, you are assuring that charges will be filed.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Thomas F. Mueller
The only way to avoid going to court is to retain an attorney, then you don't need to go to any appearances.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Offices of Phil Hache
On misdemeanor DUI's, a privately retained attorney can appear in court without you. Plus, it may be possible to get the charges dismissed and reduced.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Offices of Paula Drake
You can hire a lawyer to go for you as long as the case is a misdemeanor. You might be able to advance the case, if the court date is not convenient, as long as the case has been filed. If you do not appear, expect that the court will issue a warrant for your arrest.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Rizio & Nelson
If you have a private attorney, your attorney can appear in court without you being personally present. If not, you will have to appear in person for your arraignment to enter a plea.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: The Law Office of Harry E. Hudson, Jr.
This makes very little sense. Depending on the circumstances, you might do better. You might also do better with an attorney with whom you should at least consult before you appear.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Daniel K Martin
No, there is no procedure for pleading guilty before the court date. However if you do not want to go to the court you can hire an attorney to appear for you and handle the case.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Offices of Matthew Murillo
No. You cannot do so in advance. If you just want to plead guilty, just to get it over with, I strongly urge you to consider the consequences. They can include license suspension, enrollment in an alcohol program, Proof of insurance filing, ignition interlock device, fines, possible jail time, and an increase in your auto insurance rates. You should at least discuss your case with an attorney, to see if it may be possible to reduce the charge.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

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