Most California DUI cases wrap up somewhere between a few weeks and a few months. A straightforward misdemeanor that resolves early can move quickly. A case that gets fought hard, involves motions, or goes to trial can stretch out much longer, sometimes past a year.
Several things set the pace. The first is complexity. A clean first offense with no accident tends to resolve faster than a case with injuries, a refusal, or prior DUIs. The second is how the evidence looks once your lawyer reviews it. If there is a real issue with the stop or the testing, it can be worth filing motions and taking more time to get a better result. The third is the court's own schedule, since San Diego courtrooms are busy and dates get set weeks apart.
Your own goals matter too. Some people want the fastest reasonable resolution so they can move on. Others would rather push for a dismissal or a reduction even if that means more court dates. Neither is wrong. It depends on what is at stake for you.
One thing to keep separate is the DMV side. Your license case runs on its own track and its own deadline, apart from how long the court case takes.
Joe Crudo will give you a realistic timeline once he sees your paperwork. Learn more about the San Diego DUI court process.
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.