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San Diego Criminal Defense

Born here. Raised here. I know these courts.

SDSU undergrad. Cal Western law. Over two decades defending DUI cases in every San Diego County courthouse — state and federal. I know the judges, the staff, and I can make things happen other attorneys can't.

(858) 220-3643 Free Consultation
Time-Sensitive

You have only 10 days after a DUI arrest to request a DMV hearing to contest your license suspension. Don't wait.

100%
San Diego focused practice — every case, every court, every client
What I Handle

Focused DUI defense,
not a menu of everything

I don't spread thin across practice areas. Every case gets the attention of an attorney who does this work every day, in courts I know inside and out.

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Misdemeanor DUI Defense

Complete representation for first-time and repeat DUI charges in San Diego Superior Court — all divisions. From arraignment through resolution, including evidence analysis, plea negotiations, and DMV hearing advocacy to protect your license.

Includes: DMV admin hearings · blood & breath test challenges · field sobriety test defense · plea negotiations · all standard court appearances
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Felony DUI Defense

Cases involving injury, death, or prior felony DUI convictions demand experienced counsel who understands the stakes. I handle felony DUI charges including VC §23153 with the seriousness they require — including eligibility for military diversion and mental health diversion where applicable.

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Federal & Military Base DUI

Arrested on Camp Pendleton, Miramar, Coronado, or other federal land in San Diego County? These cases are prosecuted in U.S. District Court — a completely different system. I'm admitted to practice in the Southern District and handle these cases directly. Learn more below →

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DUI Trial Representation

When your case can't be resolved through negotiation and needs to go to trial, I bring over two decades of courtroom experience in San Diego — including a background in complex civil litigation that translates directly to trial preparation and execution.

Separately contracted · not included in standard flat-fee retainer
A Practice Area Most Attorneys Ignore

Federal DUI defense in the
Southern District of California

Stopped on a military installation or other federal land in San Diego County? Your case isn't going to state court — it's going to U.S. District Court downtown.

Most San Diego DUI attorneys don't handle federal cases. I do.

A DUI arrest at a base gate or checkpoint gets processed through the Central Violations Bureau (CVB) and prosecuted in federal court under the Assimilative Crimes Act, applying California Vehicle Code §23152 in a federal proceeding. The procedures, timelines, and courtroom dynamics are fundamentally different from state court.

This happens to civilians and service members alike. You may have taken a wrong turn toward a sentry gate. You may be active duty, reserve, a dependent, or a DoD contractor. Regardless, you need an attorney admitted to practice in the Southern District who understands how these cases actually move through the federal system.

I have been admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California since 2002, along with the Central District and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Federal DUI defense is not a sideline — it's a core part of what I do.

San Diego military installations I cover:

MCB Camp Pendleton
MCAS Miramar
NAB Coronado
NAS North Island
NBSD 32nd Street
MCRD San Diego
Naval Medical Center
Other federal land

What makes a federal DUI case different

  • Prosecuted by an AUSA or DOJ attorney, not a county DA
  • Filed in U.S. District Court, not Superior Court
  • Different procedural rules (Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure)
  • May affect security clearances and military career
  • DMV consequences still apply — 10-day deadline to act
  • Service members may face separate military consequences (NJP, admin action) regardless of civilian outcome

Whether you're a civilian who ended up at a base gate or active-duty military, the 10-day DMV hearing deadline still applies. Call immediately.

Your Attorney

R. Robert Punta

San Diego native. Aztec. Cal Western. Practicing criminal defense in San Diego since 2002.

Admissions & Credentials

California Bar Licensed July 2002 (SBN 220353)
USDC, So. District Admitted 2002
USDC, Central Dist. Admitted 2004
9th Circuit Admitted 2004
Law School California Western School of Law, J.D.
Undergraduate San Diego State University, B.A. Political Science
Languages English & Spanish

I grew up here. I practice here. That's the point.

I went to college at San Diego State and law school at Cal Western. I've practiced criminal defense in San Diego County for over two decades. This isn't a satellite office or a market I expanded into — San Diego is the only place I practice.

Before focusing on DUI defense, I spent roughly a decade in complex civil litigation, which gave me trial skills and a comfort with complicated cases that translates directly to how I approach DUI defense — particularly felony cases involving injury, contested facts, and situations where there's a real fight to be had.

I take cases I can personally handle. You won't be handed off to an associate or a contract attorney. When you call, you get me. When you go to court, I'm standing next to you.

A note about the competition: Many of the most impressive DUI defense websites you'll find for "San Diego" are run by Los Angeles firms. They take your money, then send a contract attorney to appear for you in a courthouse they've never been to. I only take cases I can personally handle in San Diego County courthouses I know.

Fees

Transparent flat-fee representation

You'll know what you're paying before you hire me. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices.

I use a flat-fee structure for DUI representation. Your fee is determined by the nature and complexity of your case. Once we agree on a fee, that's what you pay — no additional charges for phone calls, emails, or standard court appearances.

Every DUI case is different. A straightforward first-offense misdemeanor has a different level of complexity than a felony DUI with injury allegations, multiple priors, or federal court proceedings. Your fee reflects the work your case actually requires.

First-time misdemeanor DUI Standard flat fee
Repeat DUI offenses Adjusted for enhanced penalties
Felony DUI Reflects complexity & stakes
Federal / military base DUI Federal court proceedings
Trial representation Separately contracted

Call for a free consultation and I'll give you a specific quote based on your situation. No pressure, no hard sell.

Your flat fee includes:

  • Complete criminal court representation
  • DMV administrative hearing
  • All standard court appearances
  • Case investigation & evidence review
  • Blood / breath / FST analysis
  • Plea negotiations
  • Regular case updates
  • Direct access to your attorney

Payment plans available. Quality defense shouldn't be out of reach when you need it most. We'll work something out.

Get in Touch

Free consultation — call now

Phone
(858) 220-3643
Available for emergencies 24/7
Email
info@sdduidefense.com
Office
8880 Rio San Diego Drive
Suite 800, PMB 2047
San Diego, CA 92108
Courts Served
All San Diego Superior Court divisions
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
DMV offices throughout San Diego County