On most misdemeanor DUIs in California, you may not have to go to court at all. Under Penal Code 977, your attorney can appear on your behalf for routine hearings, so you can keep working and skip the stress of standing before a judge.
That covers a lot of what happens in a typical case, including the arraignment and pretrial conferences. Your lawyer handles those dates while you stay home or at work. For many people that is the single biggest relief once they hire counsel.
There are limits. Some appearances do require you in person. If your case goes to trial, you need to be present. Felony DUI charges generally require your appearance at key hearings. A judge can also order you to show up for certain matters, and if you are sentenced, you may need to be there. Your lawyer will always tell you in advance which dates, if any, need you.
So the honest answer is: usually not for the routine stuff, but sometimes yes for the big moments. The point is you are not handling any of it alone, and you are not guessing about when to show up.
Joe Crudo appears for his clients whenever the law allows and keeps you informed about the rest. Learn more about the San Diego DUI court process or how long a DUI takes.
This is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different. Call Crudo Law at (858) 622-7280 or visit /contact for a free, confidential consultation.