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FeaturingKern County
★★★★★ 4.8 · 59 Google reviews Local to Kern County Available 24/7

Kern County DUI defense — this doesn't have to define your future.

Bakersfield · Delano · Ridgecrest · Mojave · Lamont · Tehachapi and nearby communities — we appear in the Metropolitan Division Justice Building, we know the local DUI programs and the jail alternatives this county actually offers. You have 10 days from your arrest to save your license.

10 days to save your license after a DUI No-obligation case review Se habla español
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4.8★
59 Google Reviews
16+ yrs
In practice
7
Counties served
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By the numbers

DUI in Kern County

Figures published by the State of California. Each is labelled with the year it covers.

3,179
DUI arrests in Kern County
2021 · CA DMV
813
People killed or injured in alcohol-involved crashes
2023 · CA OTS
46 of 58
County ranking for alcohol-involved victims (1 = worst)
2023 · CA OTS
3 of 15
Bakersfield among similarly sized CA cities
2023 · CA OTS

Bakersfield ranks 3rd worst of California's 15 largest cities for alcohol-involved victims (340 in 2023), even though the county as a whole ranks a mild 46 of 58.

Sources: California Office of Traffic Safety Kern County crash rankings, 2023; California DMV, 32nd Annual Report of the California DUI Management Information System (2021 arrests, the most recent published). OTS ranks jurisdictions using a population and mileage-adjusted method, so a ranking does not track raw counts.

How we defend you

Focused defense for drivers and the accused

DUI defense is what we're known for — and we handle the criminal matters that often come with it.

What you're actually up against

A DUI is two cases at once

Most people don't realize they're fighting on two separate fronts, each with its own deadline. We handle both.

DMV Your license

  • 10-day deadline from arrest to request a hearing — miss it and suspension is automatic
  • Governs your privilege to drive — and in California, that often means your job
  • We request the hearing, which freezes your suspension until it's decided

Court Your record

  • Governs your criminal record and your freedom
  • Fines, DUI school, probation, and possible jail time
  • We fight for dismissal, reduction, or the best alternative sentence
⏱ One of these clocks is already running. Call (805) 500-8287 before day 10.
Local information

What you need to know in Kern County

Court, schools and jail alternatives differ by county. Here is how it works in yours.

Where your case is heard

Kern County Superior Court

Metropolitan Division Justice Building1215 Truxtun Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 610-6000
Delano Courthouse1122 Jefferson St
Delano, CA 93215
(661) 610-7300
Ridgecrest Courthouse132 E Coso Ave
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(661) 610-7450
Mojave Courthouse1773 State Highway 58 Business
Mojave, CA 93501
(661) 610-7400
Shafter Courthouse325 Central Valley Hwy
Shafter, CA 93263
(661) 610-7200
Lamont Courthouse12022 Main St
Lamont, CA 93241
(661) 610-7100
🔎 Look up your own case →

Search by case number or by name (Last, First). No registration required.

Official court website →

DUI schools in Kern County

State-licensed programs — the court will require one of these

S.T.E.P.S.3533 Mount Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield 93306(661) 871-3353 · www.steps-inc.com
First offender18-month
Traffic And Alcohol Awareness School Of Kern, Inc.324 Oak Street, Suite A, Bakersfield 93304(661) 322-8862
First offender18-month
Traffic And Alcohol Awareness School Of Kern, Inc.525 Bear Mountain Boulevard, Arvin 93203(661) 322-8862
First offender18-month
Traffic And Alcohol Awareness School Of Kern, Inc.555 West Tehachapi Blvd., Tehachapi 93561(661) 322-8862
First offender18-month
Traffic And Alcohol Awareness School Of Kern, Inc.1427 South Lexington Street, Building A, Suite 11, Delano 93215(661) 322-8862
First offender18-month
S.T.E.P.S.3400 Calloway, Building 800, Bakersfield 93312(661) 871-3353 · www.steps-inc.com
First offender18-month
Traffic And Alcohol Awareness School Of Kern, Inc.511 Central Valley Highway, Shafter 93263(661) 322-8862
First offender18-month

Programs are licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services. Which one you need — first offender, 18-month or 30-month — depends on your conviction. Confirm enrollment details directly with the provider.

Jail alternatives — Kern County

Work Release Program (WRP), plus Electronic Monitoring / Sheriff Parole · Kern County Sheriff's Office

Official program page →

Only need the DMV side?

Kern County Self-Help — DMV/APS hearing request

The DMV gives you 10 days from your arrest to request an APS hearing. Miss it and the suspension is automatic, whatever happens in the Metropolitan Division Justice Building. Our guided tool prepares and files that request for you — $19.99, no account, about five minutes.

Your criminal case runs separately, on its own schedule. If you need both handled, call and we will quote it.

Start the Kern County Self-Help tool →

Communities we serve in Kern County

We appear across the county — including these

BakersfieldDelanoRidgecrestMojaveLamontTehachapiShafterArvinTaftWascoCalifornia CityMcFarland

Arrested somewhere not on this list? We still take the case — call and ask.

Start your free case review →
Your defense team

Attorneys who treat your case like it's their own

Responsive, direct, and relentless — the qualities our clients mention again and again.

Nathan Passavant

Nathan Passavant

Attorney · California Bar #310324

Nathan earned his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law and was admitted to the bar in 2010. He is licensed to practice in California and founded The 805 Legal Team in 2017 to serve his Central California community, building it around DUI defense — the DMV hearing and the court case both, because losing track of either one costs clients their license. California Bar #310324.

Why clients choose us

Our promise

Straight answers, no runaround, and a team that fights both the DMV and the court so you don't have to face either alone.

4.9
★★★★★
Based on 59 Google reviews
★★★★★

"I hired them for a citation which ended up being dismissed. The team was very helpful during the whole process and answered all my questions. Would definitely hire them again."

A. F.
Google review
★★★★★

"Dustin was absolutely amazing! Great responsiveness and professionalism. Couldn't have asked for better."

Alexis Rios
Google review
★★★★★

"This team of DUI attorneys made my first DUI offense worry-free. Highly recommend them — they will get the job done."

Chris W.
Google review
Read all 59 reviews on Google →
What happens next

Getting help is simple

Call or request a review

Reach us 24/7. Tell us what happened — it's free and confidential.

We protect your license

We file your DMV hearing request before the 10-day deadline runs.

We build your defense

We review the evidence, the stop, and the testing, and map your options.

We fight for you

At the DMV and in court — for dismissal, reduction, or the best outcome.

Common questions

DUI & criminal defense FAQ

How long do I have to save my license after a DUI in California?
Just 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a DMV hearing (the APS hearing). Miss it and your license is suspended automatically. Requesting the hearing also freezes the suspension until your hearing date. Call (805) 500-8287 as soon as possible — even if you're already a few days in.
What's the difference between the DMV case and the court case?
They're two separate matters. The DMV controls your driving privilege and moves on the 10-day clock. The court controls your criminal record and potential penalties like fines, DUI school, probation, and jail. We handle both so nothing falls through the cracks.
How much does a DUI defense cost?
It depends on the county, the charges, and whether it's a first or repeat offense. Your initial consultation is free, and we'll give you a clear, flat quote before you commit — no surprises.
Which areas do you serve?
We defend clients across seven counties: Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Kings. We regularly appear in these local courts and know the DAs and DMV offices.
Can a first-time DUI be dismissed or reduced?
Often, yes. Depending on the facts — the legality of the stop, how the testing was conducted, and the evidence — a first-time DUI can sometimes be dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge like a "wet reckless." We'll assess your specific case at no cost.
Free consultation

Arrested in Kern County? The clock is already running.

Talk to a real defense attorney today — no obligation, completely confidential. The sooner we start, the more we can do.

📞 Call for your free case review (805) 500-8287
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