I was arrested for a DUI on 2/17/2012 in Humboldt County California. Court was canceled due to Cesar Chavez day

You need an attorney for the court and to deal with the DMV . There are many fine attorneys in Humboldt County who handle DUI 's . You cannot and should not do this yourself.

Yes. Just reapply when you get the conviction-triggering suspension order.

If I understand, your arraignment was postponed. So when is your arraignment date. If you can't afford an attorney, you can request a public defender at the arraignment. Don't simply plead guilty. First speak with an attorney. As far as your license, I'm assuming that you never requested an APS hearing with DMV. You have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing to stay an immediate suspension. If you didn't request a hearing, then your license is suspended. You'll have to wait 30 days to request a restricted license. However, you'll need to show that you enrolled in a DUI course. Feel free to call me if you have any questions. Law Office of Steve Leydiker (650) 367-1771

Even first time DUI's can be very serious and need the attention of an experienced DUI lawyer. Even people who think they are probably guilty may have valid defenses based on police violating their rights or problems with chemical tests just to name a couple examples. Even if these problems do not result in dismissal or a not guilty verdict, they can help in negotiating a lesser plea.

Quite a few people make the mistake of believing that a DUI is simple, and nothing important. Many, like you, decide for one reason or another to represent themselves. You do have this right. It is constitutionally guaranteed. That, however, does not mean it is wise. A DUI, even a first DUI, may be open to challenge based on the facts and it is exceedingly important to fight if you do have a case, since DUI's are priorable (meaning that if you have one and get another within 10 years, the penalties are increased. If you get two more they are significantly increased and it may be charged as a felony. After three in ten years, they will be felonies. Also, even after a first DUI, if you are later driving a car and have alcohol in your system and someone is injured in an accident as a result of your actions, you may be charged with murder.) Employers tend to view DUI's very negatively, especially if you have to drive a company behicle because it may increase their insurance and liability. There are also license repurcussions. You need to have an attorney from the earliest possible moment in the development of your case, including the DMV hearing as this may be used as a record to impeach you at a subsequent trial, if your testimony differs at all between the two proceedings. DUI law is incredibly complex and fact specific. It is one of the only areas of law in which the jury may be instructed that they may presume you were guilty if your chemical tests are reported as .08 or above. There is also a second charge in which the people only have to prove (still beyond a reasonable doubt) that because of alcohol, you were unable to operate your vehicle with the same care and caution as a sober person. You absolutely need an attorney, although as I said above, you have the right to represent yourself. You will want to find someone well versed in DUI law, who is familiar with and may spot available defenses, take the mystique from the "expert" witness that the prosecution will have testify against you, who understands how to challenge the chemical test, and who is adept at cross examining the police officer. Police officers testify quite often, especially in DUI trials, so they have quite a bit of experience and training in dealing with the jury. Feel free to contact my office for a free consultation, or contact another attorney. Make sure that you have information about your medical history, any chronic health conditions like diabetes, GIRD or respiratory problems, a list of your medications, and try to trace back the last time you went to a dentist.