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Orange County’s Recognized Leader in Dui Defense For Over 40 Years

Top Rated. Well Respected
But don’t just take our word for it.

Life Time Achievement Award For DUI Defense

Regent Of NCDD

California State Bar

Board Certification DUI Defense

Dean’s Award National College for DUI Defense

Founding Members Award (NCDD)

Meet The Firm

Barry T.Simons

Barry T. Simons

 Mr. Simons has been a criminal defense lawyer in Southern California for over 40 years. His Clients include Doctors; Lawyers; Nurses; Teachers; Corporate Executives; Athletes; Entertainers and any Citizen who has a concern about the impact of a DUI conviction on their lives, their jobs; their immigration status or their future.

 

Mr. Simons was selected as the only Orange County “Super Lawyer” for DUI Defense in 2014, 2015 and 2016, 2017 & 2018.   This is the eighth time Mr. Simons has received this peer-reviewed recognition by Thomson Reuters one of the largest Law Book publishers in the County.  Only 5% of all Attorneys receive this honor.

In 2013 Mr. Simons was presented with the “Lifetime Achievement Award for DUI Defense” in recognition of his contributions in this highly specialized field of criminal defense by the California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA)  He is also a current and  “Founding Director” of that organization and has qualified as a “Specialist Member”

Mr. Simons is “Board Certified in DUI Defense” under standards set forth by The American Bar Association (1 of 6 in California)

Mr. Simons is the Former Dean and a Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense and a current “Fellow” and Faculty Member of the National College for DUI Defense.

Mr. Simons is rated “Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell (Limited to the top 5% of attorneys in the County and has earned the coveted peer review “AV” (Very High to Preeminent in legal ability and ethics)

Mr. Simons has been selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who In America

Mr. Simons was selected as a “Top-Rated DUI Lawyer” by O.C. Metro Magazine and one of the “Top Five DUI Attorneys” in Orange County by OC Weekly Magazine

Mr. Simons has presented his cases and lectured at seminars all over the country including the highly specialized intensive program presented Harvard Law School every summer since 1995 by the National College for DUI Defense. Mr. Simons has lectured on a multitude of subjects including scientific evidence; legal motions; cross examination; closing arguments; DMV practices and procedures, and the Interstate Implications of DUI License Suspensions across the country.

He has successfully challenged the Irvine Police Department’s practice of compelling blood tests from DUI arrestees in Nelson v. City of Irvine which went all the way to the United States Supreme Court.  This case established for the first time that an arrestee has a constitutional right to choose a breath test and that police cannot compel a blood test from a driver who wants a breath test except under unusual circumstances. 

Mr. Simons’ other cases before the Supreme Court include challenges to DUI Checkpoints (Lidster v Illinois); a challenge to the retroactive extension of the look back period for prior convictions from 7 to 10 years (Treadway v. California) and the successful challenge to California unconstitutional ex post facto extension of time barred prosecutions cases  (Stogner v. California).

 

Mr. Simons is also co-author of California Drunk Driving Law, the “Bible of DUI Defense”.

 

We Write the book

 

EDUCATION

B.S. Government – American University, 1968

J.D. – New York Law School (Law Review Editor), 1971

Admitted to Practice in the State of California, 1972

Admitted to Practice in the United States Supreme Court, 1978

Admitted to Practice Before all California Federal Courts

Faculty of the National College For DUI Defense (Presented at Harvard Law School), 1996-Present

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Dean – National College For DUI Defense (2007-2008)

Founding Member of National College For DUI Defense (1995)

Fellow – National College For DUI Defense, Current

Falculty/Instructor – National College For DUI Defense, 1998-Present (Presented at Harvard Law School)

California DUI Lawyers Association (Formerly Known as Association of California Deuce Defenders) – Board of Directors, Specialist Member in DUI Defense

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – Vice Chairman DUI Committee, 2001-2002

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice –  Co-Chair – Municipal Court Committee, 1995-1997

Board of Directors – South Orange County Bar Association

Former President – South Orange County Bar Association

Former Director – Orange County Bar Association

Former Director – Orange County Harbor Bar Association


PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Recipient of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) in 2013 for his long list of accomplishments relating to DUI Defense

“Board Certified” as a National Expert in DUI Defense (1 of only 6 in CA) by the National College For DUI Defense, 2000 (NCDD Certification Program is approved by the American Bar Association)

“A/V Rated” – Martindale Hubbell (Highest Rating for Competence and Ethics)

Inclusion in the 2005-2017 Editions of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers – Martindale-Hubbell (Only 5% of U.S. Law Firms Qualify for this Listing)

Selected as Orange County’s Only DUI “Superlawyer” in 2007, 2010-2012, and 2014-2017

AVVO Rated “10/10” or “Superb”, an Attorney-Rating Service

OC Metro “Best” or “Top-Rated DUI Attorney” 2010-2015

American Jurisprudence Award – Criminal Law

American Jurisprudence Award – Constitutional Law

Inducted Into the “Who’s Who in California”

Inducted Into the “Who’s Who in American Law”

Judge Pro Tempore


AREAS OF PRACTICE

Defense of DUI Cases – DMV Writs & Appeals

Criminal Defense – Felonies and Misdemeanors


PUBLICATIONS

Co-Author of ” California Drunk Driving Law”, 2003-Present

“Challenging the Blood Test for Alcohol”, B. Simons, R. Moore; Champion, National Assn. of Criminal Defense Attorneys (May 2009)


COUNSEL OF RECORD:

UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

Illinois v. Lidster (2004) 540 U.S. 419
(Amicus Curiae Counsel)

Stogner v. California (2003) 539 U.S. 607
(Amicus Curiae Counsel)

Nelson v. City of Irvine , et al. (1998) 143 F.3d 1196
9th Cir. (Cert. Denied United States Supreme Court)

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT

Lake v. Reed (1997) 16 Cal.4th 448

CALIFORNIA COURT OF APPEAL

People v. Treadway (2008) 163 Cal.App.4thh 689 (Cert. Denied United States Supreme Court (2009)

Hernandez v. Gutierrez (2003) 114 Cal.App.4th 168

Baker v. Gourley (2002) 98 Cal.App.4th 1263

Robertson v. Zolin (1996) 4th Dist. (44 Cal.App.4th 147)

People v. Sandlin (1991) 230 Cal.App.3d 1310

Triggs v. Superior Court (1973) 8 Cal.3d 884


 PROFESSIONAL LECTURES:

“Consequences for Professionals Charges With DUI”, California State Bar Association 87th Annual Meeting, San Diego, (September 12, 2014)

“The Laws of Nature –v- The Laws of Man”, Orange County Criminal Bar Assn., Continuing Legal Education Seminar (Santa Ana, 2012)

“How to Effectively Use Science in DUI Defense”, California State Bar Association, Long Beach, California (September 18, 2011)

“How To Effectively Present Medical Defenses and Issues that Win”, California State Bar Association, San Diego, California (September, 2009)

“Cross Examination of the People’s Expert” Mastering Scientific Evidence Dallas (March 2008)

“The Jury Insight Project-A Scientific Investigation Into Juror Attitudes In DUI Cases” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (October 2007)

“Techniques for Opening and Closing Arguments” California State Bar Conference-Criminal Law Section (Anaheim, September 2007)

We The Jury Seminar (March 24, 2007)

“Handling Administrative Per Se Proceedings: Excessive BAC (.08) & Refusals” Deuce-A-Rama: How to Defend DUI Cases 79th Annual Meeting of the State Bar of California-Criminal Law Section (Monterey, Oct. 7, 2006)

“How to Become the Ace of the Deuce” California Attorneys for Criminal Justice Rules of The Road Seminar (September 29, 2006)

“Latest Law Changes & Sentencing Update” California DUI Lawyers Association ( San Francisco, May 20, 2006)

“The Defense Perspective” International Assoc. for Chemical Testing ( Anaheim, April 25, 2006)

“Final Argument” California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (Rancho Mirage, September 24, 2005)

“Deuce-A-Rama: How to Defend DUI Cases” California State Bar Conference – Criminal Law Section ( San Diego, September 10, 2005)

“Opening Statements” National College For DUI Defense (Conducted at Harvard Law School, July 2005)

“Taking on the DMV in 2005” California DUI Lawyers Association (April 2005)

“Jury Summation According to the Code of the West” California State Bar Conference – Criminal Law Section ( Monterey, October 7, 2004)

“Breath Testing Challenges to the Alco-Sensor IV” California Attorneys for Criminal Justice ( Palm Springs, September 11, 2004)

“Using Technology in Closing Arguments” National College for DUI Defense-Breakout Session (Conducted at Harvard Law School, 2004)

“Persuasive Narrative Techniques for Opening and Closing Arguments” National College for DUI Defense-Breakout Session (Conducted at Harvard Law School, 2004)

“Bring Your Own File Workshop – Interesting Cases And Creative Solutions” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ( Las Vegas, October 16, 2003)

“Alco Sensor IV XL Point of Arrest, Title 17 Compliant Breath Testing – The Defense’s New Best Friend” California Attorneys for Criminal Justice ( Palm Springs, September 20, 2003)

“Deuce-A-Rama: Steering Clear in DUI Representations and Practices” California State Bar Conference – Criminal Law Section ( Anaheim, September 6, 2003)

“Making Mountains Out of Molehills” National College For DUI Defense ( San Antonio, TX, Jan. 24, 2003)

“Attacking Faulty Science With Creative Motions” California State Bar Conference – Criminal Law Section ( Monterey, Oct. 13, 2002)

“Cross-Examination of The Arresting Officer Workshop” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ( Las Vegas, Oct. 4, 2002)

“Dealing With PAS Tests After People v. Williams” California Attorneys For Criminal Justice ( Palm Springs, Sept. 29, 2002)

“Cross-Examination of the Arresting Officer” Symposium Moderator, National College of DUI Defense ( Boston, Mass. July 24, 2002)

“21st Century Technology For The Defense of DUI Cases – Use of Computer Animation and Power Point To Get To The Point” South Orange County Bar Assn. (May 14, 2002)

“Interstate License Issues” National College For DUI Defense (February 15, 2002)

“Using Technology In Closing Arguments” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ( Las Vegas, 10/4/01)

“Medical Issues In DUI Cases – Turn Your Client Into A Patient and Win” South Carolina Bar Assn. (Sept. 2001)

“Science and Innovative Motions for DUI Cases” State Bar of California 2001 Convention (9/8/01)

“Attacking The Prosecutions Scientific Evidence Through Creative Motions” National College For DUI Defense ( Cambridge, Mass. July 25, 2001)

“Science And Its Application To DUI Motion Practice” Criminal Law Section of the California State Bar Assn. ( San Francisco, June 23, 2001)

“How I Would Change The DMV Hearing Process and Why” Department of Motor Vehicles of the State of California – Driver Safety Conference (April 5, 2001) (DMV Hearing Officer Training)

“Creative Attacks At The DMV – How To Save Your Client’s License” West Orange County Bar Assn. (12/5/2000)

“Medical Issues In DUI Defense – Turn Your Client Into a Patient” Difficult DUI’s and Tragic Consequences, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ( Las Vegas, September 21-23, 2000)

“Fascinating Insights In: Driving Under the Influence and DMV Proceedings By Recognized Experts” State Bar of California Criminal Law Section, 2000 Annual Meeting of the State Bar (September 17, 2000)

“Forensic Alcohol Supervisors Course” (Instructor) California Criminalists Institute, California Department of Justice (September 14, 2000)

“Tools For The DUI Law Office” National College For DUI Defense (Conducted at Harvard Law School 7/29/2000)

“DMV Writs and Appeals An Orange County View” Assn. of California Deuce Defenders ( Los Angeles 3/16/00)

“Winning Strategies At The DMV” Assn. of California Deuce Defenders (Orange 1/19/00)

“The Implications of Nelson v City of Irvine” ( Atlanta, 12/10/99)

“Handcuffing the Prosecution In Closing Argument-Avoiding Prosecutorial Misconduct” National College of DUI Defense ( Kansas City 12/3/99)

“Writs and Half Wits-Appeals of DMV Hearings, State Bar of California (San Francisco, 1999)

“Refusals and Medical Twists” National College For DUI Defense (Conducted at Harvard Law School, 1999)

“Strategies in Handling DUI Cases in California” (San Diego, 1999)

“Unlicensing the Datamaster in Orange County”, South Orange County Bar Association (Laguna Beach, 1999) (4700 Breath Tests Invalidated In Orange County)

“Multiple Aspects of Driving Under the Influence” The State Bar of California ( Long Beach, 10/2/99)

“Rules of the Road II: Trial of a DUI Case, Motions: Win It At The Starting Gate” California Attorney’s For Criminal Justice ( Los Angeles 9/99)

“Forensic Alcohol Supervisors Course” (Instructor) Hosted by California Department of Justice And Orange County Sheriff’s Forensic Science Services (1998)

“Pre-Trial Motion Practice in DUI Cases” California Attorney’s for Criminal Justice Seminar ( Berkeley, 1998)

“Motions-What, How to and When” DUI Defense Seminar (Los Angeles, 1998)

“Interstate Implications of DUI’s, National College of DUI Defense ( Boston, 1998)

“Multiple Aspects of Driving Under the Influences Cases” State Bar of California ( Monterey 1998)

“Case Scenarios” Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI/DWI Cases (New Orleans, 1997)

 

Call 949-497-1729 for a Free Confidential Consultation

 

Call (949) 497-1729 For a Free Consultation

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By Barry T. Simons: “It is my honor and privilege to fight for my clients; challenge unjust laws; protect our Constitution and to be a thorn on the side of injustice”.

By Barry T. Simons: “It is my honor and privilege to fight for my clients; challenge unjust laws; protect our Constitution and to be a thorn on the side of injustice”.