Placer County Driving Offense Attorney

Tiemann Defense – Criminal & DMV Defense in Roseville, Lincoln, Auburn & Rocklin

 

If you’ve been cited or arrested for a driving-related offense in Placer County, your license, freedom, and record may be at risk. At Tiemann Defense, we represent clients throughout Placer County, including Roseville, Lincoln, Auburn, and Rocklin, in both criminal court and DMV proceedings.

📍 Office: 209 Harding Blvd. Suite 7, Roseville, CA 95678
📞 Call Now: 916.939.3900

We defend misdemeanor and felony driving charges in the Placer County Superior Court and fight license actions before the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Common California Driving Offenses We Defend

1. Reckless Driving – VC 23103

California Vehicle Code 23103

Elements of Reckless Driving

The prosecution must prove:

1. You drove a vehicle, and
2. You did so with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

“Willful or wanton” means you were aware your driving presented a substantial risk.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony

• Standard Reckless Driving → Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving Causing Injury (VC 23104) → Wobbler (can be misdemeanor or felony depending on injuries and record)

Penalties

• Up to 90 days in jail (misdemeanor)
• Fines
• Probation
• 2 DMV points
• Possible license suspension

Defenses

• Driving did not rise to “wanton disregard”
• Necessity or emergency
• Mistaken identity
• No actual safety risk

2. Driving Without a License – VC 12500

California Vehicle Code 12500

Elements

1. You drove a motor vehicle, and
2. You did not hold a valid California driver’s license.

Classification

• Generally a misdemeanor
• Can be charged as an infraction in limited circumstances

Penalties

• Jail up to 6 months
• Fines
• Vehicle impoundment
• May be eligible for a diversion if you can show you have a valid license

Defenses

• You had a valid license (but not in possession)
• You were exempt (out-of-state license)
• You were not driving

DMV Impact

No points, but may delay licensing or trigger administrative scrutiny.

3. Driving on a Suspended License – VC 14601.1

California Vehicle Code 14601.1

Elements

1. You drove a vehicle,
2. Your license was suspended or revoked, and
3. You knew of the suspension.

Penalties

• Mandatory jail minimum in many cases
• Fines
• Extended suspension
• Vehicle impound
• May be eligible for a diversion if you can show you have a valid license

Defenses

• Lack of knowledge of suspension
• Improper DMV notice
• Valid restricted license

4. DUI Suspension – VC 14601.2

California Vehicle Code 14601.2

This applies when your license was suspended specifically for DUI.

Elements

1. You drove a vehicle,
2. Your license was suspended for DUI,
3. You knew of the suspension.

Penalties

• Mandatory minimum jail
• Mandatory IID Requirement
• Longer DUI suspension
• Additional DMV restrictions
• Probation violation exposure
• May be eligible for a diversion if you can show you have a valid license

This charge often accompanies a new DUI arrest.

5. Hit and Run (Property Damage) – VC 20002

California Vehicle Code 20002

Elements

1. You were involved in an accident,
2. The accident caused property damage, and
3. You failed to stop and provide identifying information.

Classification

• Misdemeanor
• If injury occurs (VC 20001), it becomes a wobbler or felony.

Penalties

• Jail
• Fines
• Restitution
• 2 DMV points

Defenses

• No knowledge of damage
• No actual damage
• You left information
• Not the driver

6. Exhibition of Speed / Street Racing – VC 23109

California Vehicle Code 23109

Includes:

• Speed contests
• Exhibition of speed
• Aiding or abetting racing

Elements

The prosecution must prove:

• A willful participation in a speed contest or exhibition of speed on a highway.

Classification

• Misdemeanor
• Causing injury → Can be charged as a felony

Penalties

• Jail
• Fines
• Mandatory license suspension
• Vehicle impound
• 2 DMV points

Defenses

• No actual racing
• No willful speed exhibition
• Insufficient evidence

7. Evading a Peace Officer – VC 2800.1

California Vehicle Code 2800.1

Elements

1. A peace officer in a marked vehicle with lights/siren activated,
2. You saw or reasonably should have seen the officer,
3. You willfully fled or attempted to elude.

Classification

• VC 2800.1 → Misdemeanor
• VC 2800.2 (Reckless Evading) → Wobbler (Can be charged as felony or misdemeanor)
• VC 2800.3 (Causing Injury/Death) → Felony

Penalties

• Jail or prison (felony cases)
• Probation
• 2+ DMV points
• Habitual traffic offender designation

Defenses

• Officer not properly identified
• No willful evasion
• Unsafe to immediately pull over
• Mistaken identity

Misdemeanor vs. Felony (Wobbler) Driving Offenses

Many driving charges are what we call “wobblers.”  This means they can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor.  The prosecutor looks at the following when deciding how to file a case:

• If Injury occurs
• There is prior criminal history
• There are aggravating factors
• High speed or extreme recklessness is involved

A felony conviction can mean:

• State prison
• Formal probation
• Strike consequences (in serious injury cases)
• Long-term DMV consequences

Early intervention can influence whether a charge becomes a misdemeanor.

DMV Ramifications

Criminal court and DMV actions are separate.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles may:

• Assess 1–2 negligent operator points
• Suspend or revoke your license
• Impose probation
• Require SR-22 insurance
• Designate Habitual Traffic Offender status

Some offenses trigger mandatory suspensions, while others allow discretionary action.

We represent clients in:

• DMV hearings
• Help with license reinstatement
• Help with restricted license applications
• Point reduction strategies

Why Hire Tiemann Defense?

Driving offenses may seem minor, but they can:

• Raise insurance rates
• Lead to jail time
• Result in a criminal record
• Trigger immigration consequences
• Suspend your driver’s license
• Affect employment

At Tiemann Defense, we:

• Analyze police reports for weaknesses
• Challenge lack of knowledge elements
• Negotiate reductions to non-point offenses
• Seek misdemeanor reductions of felony offenses
• Fight for dismissal when evidence is insufficient
• Defend both court and DMV actions

Serving All of Placer County

We represent clients charged in:

• Roseville
• Lincoln
• Auburn
• Rocklin

Including cases filed in the Placer County Superior Court.

Call Tiemann Defense Today

If you are facing charges for reckless driving, suspended license, hit and run, street racing, or evading, early representation matters.

📞 Call 916.939.3900
📍 209 Harding Blvd. Suite 7, Roseville, CA 95678

Protect your license. Protect your record. Protect your future.

Tiemann Defense – Placer County Driving Offense Attorney