Susan L. Hartman is licensed to practice law in California and Massachusetts

A Strong Defense Can Mean the Difference Between a Minor Setback and a Career-Ending Crisis. Know Your Rights Before It’s Too Late.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Military DUI in San Diego is not like a regular DUI case. The stakes are higher, the system is more complex, and the consequences can follow you for the rest of your life.

Your breathalyzer result may not tell the whole story — and a single number should not define your future.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

You passed the field sobriety tests. You felt fine to drive. Then a police officer pulled you over, handed you a small handheld device, and told you to blow.

A hospital visit shouldn’t turn into a criminal conviction. Here’s what you need to know before it does.

You didn’t expect to end up in the emergency room that night. Maybe you were in a car accident. Maybe you felt ill during a traffic stop, and paramedics took over. Whatever brought you to that ER, you were focused on your health—not on the fact that a nurse was drawing your blood and that sample might end up in a crime lab.

That’s exactly how a hospital blood draw DUI happens in California.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Yes, You Can Be Arrested on a Scooter. Here’s What Every Rider in San Diego Needs to Know.

It seemed like a harmless decision.

A DUI charge does not just threaten your freedom. It can take your career, your license, and everything you worked for. Here is what licensed professionals in California need to know right now.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

When a Night Goes Wrong, and Your Career Hangs in the Balance

Your past does not have to define your future. Find out whether a DUI expungement in San Diego could give you a fresh start.

Picture this: It has been several years since your DUI arrest. You served your probation, paid your fines, and put your head down. You rebuilt your life. Now you are applying for a better job, and the background check comes back. That old DUI conviction shows up, and the opportunity disappears.

It happens more often than most people realize.

You Have Rights at a DUI Roadblock. Here’s What Every San Diego Driver Should Know Before Getting Behind the Wheel.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

It’s a Friday night in San Diego. You’re heading home from dinner in Mission Valley when you see the flashing lights ahead. Orange cones narrow the lanes. Officers in vests wave cars forward one by one. Your stomach drops.

Your driver’s license is on the line. One phone call to request a DMV hearing in San Diego could be the difference between keeping your keys and losing your ability to drive.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change, and outcomes depend on the specific facts of your case. Always consult a licensed California attorney for guidance.

It is a Saturday night in Southern California. A police officer pulls you over near the I-8 corridor. You are asked to perform field sobriety tests. Before you know it, you are placed under arrest for driving under the influence, and your driver’s license is confiscated on the spot.

If you are facing a DUI conviction in San Diego County, you may be eligible for the County Parole and Alternative Custody Program (CPAC). CPAC can allow you to serve your sentence outside of jail, often at home under electronic monitoring.

As experienced San Diego DUI defense attorneys, we help clients explore every possible alternative to incarceration—including CPAC. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is CPAC?

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Security electronic tag on a tagged criminal

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department administers CPAC, which stands for the County Parole and Alternative Custody Program. CPAC is designed to:

  • Relieve jail overcrowding
  • Reduce costs to the county
  • Help eligible individuals serve sentences in the community instead of behind bars

CPAC uses electronic ankle monitoring (house arrest) and strict supervision to ensure participants comply with their court-ordered sentence while remaining employed and supporting their families.

CPAC Eligibility for DUI Offenders

CPAC is available to low-risk offenders, including those convicted of misdemeanor DUI and in some cases non-violent felony DUI offenses.

General eligibility factors include:

  • Non-violent offense (DUI without injury or great bodily injury enhancements)
  • No outstanding warrants, detainers, or immigration holds
  • Must have a stable residence in San Diego County
  • Must be medically and mentally able to participate
  • Must pass a risk assessment and interview by CPAC staff

Important: CPAC is not automatically granted—your defense attorney must request it as part of your sentencing strategy, and the court and the Sheriff’s Department must both approve it.

How CPAC Works

If accepted into CPAC, you will:

  • Be released from jail into home detention
  • Wear an electronic ankle monitor (GPS) at all times
  • Follow strict curfews and travel restrictions
  • Submit to random alcohol and drug testing
  • Continue to work or attend school if permitted

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