John Campanella

California DMV & DUI Defense Attorney

California DMV & DUI Defense

About our legal services

31

Years in practice

1,000+

DMV hearings

CA

Statewide

If the DMV is threatening your driver’s license, you need someone who has spent decades learning exactly how to fight them — and winning.

I’m John Campanella. I’ve been defending California drivers at the DMV since I started practicing law in 1995. That year I attended my first DUI conference in Sacramento, where I heard legendary defense attorneys speak about the science and strategy of fighting DUI and DMV cases. I was hooked. I’ve been studying this field ever since.

Over the past 31 years I have personally handled more than 1,000 DMV hearings across Northern California. I know how hearing officers think, what evidence they scrutinize, and where the DMV’s case is most vulnerable.

“After a hard fought battle, I was amazed to discover I won my DMV hearing and kept my driver’s license.”

Verified Client — Yelp

Preparation that changes outcomes

I am nationally certified as an administrator of Field Sobriety Tests. I own the operator manuals for most breath testing devices used in Northern California. I know how to subpoena dash cam and body cam footage, pull breath equipment calibration and maintenance records, and obtain headspace gas chromatography analysis on blood samples — evidence that most attorneys never think to request. This level of preparation changes outcomes.

But credentials alone don’t win cases. What wins cases is the willingness to investigate every detail — the errors in a police report, a maintenance lapse on a breath device, a procedural misstep by the arresting officer. I look for all of it, because in DMV hearings the difference between keeping your license and losing it often comes down to one overlooked fact.

• Licensed California attorney — State Bar No. 175362
• Nationally certified Field Sobriety Test administrator
• Member — National College of DUI Defense
• Member — California DUI Lawyers Association
• All hearing types — APS/DUI, NOTS, Medical, Fatality, CDL

Straight talk, not false reassurance

I believe in being straight with you. If you have a strong case, I’ll tell you. If the situation is difficult, I’ll tell you that too — along with exactly what your options are and what to expect at every step. My clients appreciate that I don’t sugarcoat things. You deserve honest advice, not false reassurance.

Statewide, fully remote representation

My practice is statewide and fully remote. DMV hearings are conducted by phone and video — which means I can represent you at any Driver Safety Office in California without you ever leaving your home. I’m based in Sacramento and have spent my career handling cases across Northern California, including Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, Solano, Napa, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Marin Counties.

Education & memberships