One of the nation's leading DUI attorneys, Don Bartell is the author of the preeminent DUI defense book, Attacking and Defending Drunk Driving Tests. Lara Gressley is a contributing author. Our firm regularly lectures lawyers across the state on leading DUI defense strategies. Our results and reputation are unmatched.
We have won countless not guilty verdicts in DUI cases, including serious felony DUI cases involving injury. From assault with a deadly weapon to robbery, we have won many not guilty verdicts on serious felony criminal matters. Our firm has successfully litigated criminal writs and appeals in California and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, on cases ranging from DUI to murder.
We have won countless not guilty verdicts in DUI cases, including serious felony DUI cases involving injury. From assault with a deadly weapon to robbery, we have won many not guilty verdicts on serious felony criminal matters. Our firm has successfully litigated criminal writs and appeals in California and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, on cases ranging from DUI to murder.
Services
Resolved serious felony DUI matters (including DUI death cases) with little or no jail time. Won a significant number of DMV Hearings, protecting numerous clients' driving privileges. Don and Lara have worked on all of the major DUI appellate cases in California, including:. Lara routinely handles criminal appeals.
Don Bartell featured on ABC 30 defending client accused of killing pedestrian while driving. Don and his team were instrumental in getting felony DUI charges dismissed against the former mayor of the City of Murrieta. In 2018, Lara Gressley ran for Riverside County District Attorney, as a criminal justice reform candidate.
A first offense misdemeanor DUI is typically alleged as a violation of Vehicle Code section 23152 (a) and (b). If a person has never been convicted of a DUI or "wet reckless" before, or the arrest for the prior conviction occurred more than 10 years before the new DUI arrest, then the person is facing a first offense DUI charge.
Driving under the influence of marijuana is a violation Vehicle Code section 23152(f), which says that it is illegal for anyone to drive under the influence of any drug, including marijuana. California does not have a per se limit of marijuana that can be in a person's blood when driving a car.
This is much different than the law regarding driving under the influence of alcohol, which provides that no person can drive with a BAC of.08% or greater.There is no equivalent limit for marijuana in California. Some states have enacted limits of 5 nano-grams per liter of blood, other states have zero tolerance statutes.
This is much different than the law regarding driving under the influence of alcohol, which provides that no person can drive with a BAC of.08% or greater.There is no equivalent limit for marijuana in California. Some states have enacted limits of 5 nano-grams per liter of blood, other states have zero tolerance statutes.
The chart below shows the potential license suspensions that could be imposed for a DUI arrest. What is important to understand is that in most DUI cases, persons can face a license suspension as a result of the DMV proceedings and as a result of the court proceedings.
Meaning, the DMV will impose a suspension against a person's license independent of any court action if a person does not request a DMV hearing within 10 days of the DUI arrest or requests a hearing but loses the DMV hearing.A separate suspension will also be imposed if the DMV receives notice that a person was convicted of DUI in court.
Meaning, the DMV will impose a suspension against a person's license independent of any court action if a person does not request a DMV hearing within 10 days of the DUI arrest or requests a hearing but loses the DMV hearing.A separate suspension will also be imposed if the DMV receives notice that a person was convicted of DUI in court.
Reviews (10)
Maeve Wrixon
Jan 13, 2022
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I can’t say enough good things about Mike Donaldson and Bartell, Hensel & Gressley. Getting into trouble in a state you don’t live in is truly terrifying. Mike and the team worked with me not only to help me completely understand what was happening and why, but also made sure it was what I wanted and what I felt comfortable with. At all times I felt 100% informed and I felt like I truly had a team in my corner who was dedicated to helping me in my time of crisis. Talking to lawyers about the legal process over a phone is very intimidating but Mike made it comfortable and easy. Super friendly
Andrew Koscik
Oct 29, 2021
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Rigo B.
Mar 26, 2021
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Nobody ever feels like they need an attorney until they need an attorney, lol. Our son was in a situation where he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. An altercation ensued and he was arrested for assault and battery, and bodily injury was added because the other person fell and hit their head on the back of a car bumper in the parking lot. The cops not knowing the whole story, just arrested our son and booked him with some serious charges. We turned to Bartell, Hensel & Gressley for help and counsel. Mike Donaldson was on it right away, getting all the info, all the details, and helping
Anonymous Client
Mar 22, 2021
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I want to give my upmost appreciation to the Bartell, Hensel & Gressley law firm for the help they gave me during my DUI case, especially to Lara Gressley. My DUI case was ongoing for many years filled with a rollercoaster of extremely stressful emotions, and I was glad to have Lara by my side through all of it. After getting the DUI dismissed the first time, it was overturned. However, Lara was ultimately able to get the DUI dismissed a SECOND time for good. Not only did she get rid of my DUI, she saved my career. This DUI would have definitely ruined my career, and I’ll never forget what Lara
Noah Bojorquez
Feb 28, 2021
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I am honored and as much grateful to say I was represented professionally by such a competent and polished lawyer firm. Bartell, Hensel & Gressley are nonetheless, absolutely proficient, in their business and expertise of their skills in business and legal matters. Being represented and backed up in court by Mike Donaldson was alleviating, I say this because going through the process of the courts, court dates, fees we must pay as citizens to have the privilege of fighting our cases, my family and I were alleviated by the control we felt our legal team had when going up against the Superior Court
Zachary Hellmann
Feb 16, 2021
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I was arrested for crashing and then blowing a .08. I was devastated from being arrested for the first time and was facing DUI charges. I called 4 or 5 top-rated DUI attorneys in Temecula. I talked to each one for 30 minutes to one hour on the phone. Many of the responses were very uninterested and grim or OVERLY "promising" to talk to. And then I spoke to Mike Donaldson, and everything felt right. I decided to pay the $4,500 and meet with him and his partner in person at their location in Riverside, CA. Mike Donaldson take appropriate action to have my DUI dismissed. One thing that stood out to
Joseph Huber
Nov 20, 2020
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I highly recommend Bartell, Hensel & Gressley... particularly Mike Donaldson , as Mike was my main point of contact. I had a unique case because I reside outside the state of CA, which required putting more trust in the hands of this firm / Mr. Donaldson. Here we are almost two years later (due to COVID) and I can confidently say that due to the professional, responsive nature of Mike and the team my case has been resolved with a favorable outcome. Just as importantly, throughout the entire process, I felt that Mike Donaldson and the team had my best intentions in mind. I was treated as an individual
Rip Patel
Jul 12, 2020
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Austin Meyer
Sep 26, 2019
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I have not dealt with anyone else besides Mr. Donaldson , so I cannot speak for them, but Mike is a class act. My interaction and involvement was minimal, but the positive experience I had would make me continue to use his services for all my legal needs, as well as recommend him to others. I have dealt with other attorneys before and all they see their clients as is another paycheck. That was not the case here. He is attentive and seems to genuinely care. Thanks again, MIke!
Matthew Delaossa
Sep 11, 2019
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Great firm!! Mike Donaldson went way out of his way to make my experience of dealing with a legal matter 100% better than what it would have been going into it alone. Out of this whole experience I can say that I have gained a friend through this. Very professional, on time and handled everything I needed and asked for. unfortunately my family has had attorneys throughout our lives and I must say this has been a far more better experience than ever before. Thank you guys and keep up the good work
