LEGAL RESUME

Legal Resume
Joshua M. Dale, Esq.—Over 30 Years of DUI and Criminal Defense Excellence

With over three decades of legal experience, I, Joshua M. Dale, Esq., have built a reputation as a skilled and dedicated DUI and criminal defense attorney serving the North Bay and all of California. Based in Monte Rio, CA, since 2008, and currently assisting clients from Santa Cruz since May 2023 while caring for my mother with Alzheimer’s, I’ve fought for clients in Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and beyond. My unique background as a former Military Police officer, combined with my legal expertise, allows me to provide unparalleled representation in DUI, traffic, criminal, and civil cases. Below is a detailed overview of my qualifications, experience, and contributions to the legal field.

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Professional Experience
Attorney at Law, Joshua M. Dale, Esq., Monte Rio, CA (1992-Present)

• Represented clients across California in DUI, traffic, and criminal defense cases, focusing on the North Bay (Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano) with preferred courts in Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Ukiah, Napa, Fairfield, and Vallejo.

• Handled ~40 jury trials and hundreds of DMV hearings, saving countless licenses and securing dismissals or reductions in DUI cases (alcohol, drugs, felony DUIs involving manslaughter).

• Defended clients in misdemeanors (petty theft, disorderly conduct, simple assault), traffic violations (speeding, reckless driving), and select civil matters (suits for money, landlord-tenant disputes, non-profit formation).

• Represented tenants in the 1996 Burke Lewis Apartment fire case in San Francisco (776 Bush Street), securing a $400,000 insurance settlement award split among them by obtaining a confession from the arsonist.

• Represented both landlords and tenants in eviction and lease dispute cases, ensuring fair outcomes under California law.

• Assisted non-profits with formation and management, including drafting bylaws and securing 501(c)(3) status for community organizations in Monte Rio and beyond.

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Executive Director and Specialist, California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) (1996-2019)

• Led advocacy efforts to improve DUI defense practices and ensure fairer legal processes across California.

• Played a key role in CDLA v. DMV (2022), securing independent hearing officers for DMV hearings, directly benefiting clients facing license suspensions.

• Delivered seminars for CDLA and the California Public Defenders Association in the 1990s and early 2000s, educating attorneys on DUI defense strategies, evidence challenges, and DMV hearing tactics.

 

Traffic Accident Investigator, US Army Military Police, Fort Bragg (1981-1985)

• Served as a Military Police Sergeant (MOS 95B20, honorable discharge), running DUI checkpoints and investigating hit-and-runs and fatalities with the 116th MP Corps.

• Policed Grenada in 1983 post-invasion, managing tense patrols and fostering camaraderie through events like Christmas ham feasts.

• Earned the Army Good Conduct Medal and Army Achievement Medal for exemplary service.

 

Campus Police Officer, Cabrillo College Campus Police, Aptos, CA (1988-1989)

• Enforced campus safety protocols, gaining firsthand experience in law enforcement procedures and evidence collection, which later informed my legal defense strategies.

 

Education
Juris Doctor (JD), Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA (1992)

• Focused on criminal law and litigation, preparing for a career in DUI and criminal defense.

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Fresno State University, Fresno, CA (1987)

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude, demonstrating academic excellence in the study of criminal justice and law enforcement.

 

Professional Affiliations and Achievements

• Founding Member, DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA).

• Member, National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), attending multiple summer sessions in the 2000s held at Harvard Law School buildings.

• Key contributor to California Drunk Driving Law, shaping DUI defense practices in California since starting my career in San Francisco.

• Advocated for mandatory police recordings (dashcams, body cams) on KGO 810 talk radio in the early 2000s, arguing that recordings are essential for DUI defense, especially with low BAC levels where officers often embellish reports.

 

Areas of Practice

• DUI Defense (alcohol, drugs, felony DUIs involving manslaughter)

• Traffic Violations (speeding, reckless driving)

• Misdemeanor Criminal Defense (petty theft, disorderly conduct, simple assault)

• Civil Suits for Money (contracts, debts, property disputes)

• Landlord-Tenant Disputes and Evictions (representing both landlords and tenants)

• Non-Profit Management and Formation (bylaws, 501(c)(3) status)

 

Serving All of California
From my Monte Rio base to my current location in Santa Cruz, I assist clients across California, referring to trusted lawyers through my network, including California Lawyers Referral services, when needed. My experience as a former MP, combined with my legal career, ensures I can spot flaws in cases—illegal stops, bad tests, procedural errors—that save licenses and clear charges. Contact me to see how I can help with your case.

 

Get in Touch
Phone: (707) 520-4350
Email: jdale@joshdale.com
Website: joshdale.com

Disclaimer: This is general information, not a guarantee of results. Every case is unique. Contact Joshua M. Dale, Esq., for tailored advice. Joshua M. Dale, Esq., California State Bar #170126.