About Denis
While we occasionally assist former clients with other areas of law, our focus is DUI Defense. If you have questions about a DUI case in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo or El Dorado Counties give us a call. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you do because we will be giving you information without pushing you to hire us. We believe that people should make an informed decision when choosing an attorney. We take a limited number of cases each year, giving us ample time for each person we represent. Our goal is to have the best clients, not the most. Our clients all have my cell phone number and are invited to call as questions arise, rather than being restricted to Monday through Friday between 8 and 5.
My father, Denis H. White, Sr., is now formally retired but I still visit with him regularly. He attended night law school while working and raising me, my brother and four sisters. Then he spent 28 years with the Sacramento County Public Defenders Office, until his retirement in 1998, where he handled every type of criminal case that came through the system. You simply can't buy the type of experience he brought to this office, for the years he continued to keep his bar card active.
My father's father, Judge William A. White, died while I was in law school. His graduating class at McGeorge Law School in 1937 consisted of exactly eight people. His years in private practice were spent in the area of Probate Law. In 1961, he was appointed to the bench in Sacramento County and served in that capacity for the rest of his working years. What I learned from him, as a boy and later as a man, was less about the practice of law than just treating people fairly and honestly.
Our office is devoted, almost entirely, to DUI defense. On rare occasion, we get involved with run of the mill misdemeanor and felony criminal defense cases for former clients. If you have questions or think this may be the right law firm for you, please call us.
Practice areas
- DUI and DWI: 95%
Prefiling where appropriate to prevent formal charges from being filed through Court or Jury Trial. Administrative Per Se DMV hearings dealing with license suspension issues.
27 years
- Criminal defense: 5%
Drug Offenses, Theft Offenses, Modifications, Expungements,
27 years
Languages spoken
English
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Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Active | 1994 | 11/08/2021 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Review Rating 5.0 of 5.0 | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
| Sacramento Magazine's Top Lawyers List | Sacramento Magazine | 2015 |
| AIDUIA 2015 10 Best | AIDUIA | 2015 |
| Client's Choice Award | AVVO | 2014 |
| Top Contributor Award | AVVO | 2014 |
| Client's Choice Award | AVVO | 2013 |
| Top Contributor Award | AVVO | 2013 |
| Client's Choice Award | AVVO | 2012 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | Law Office of Denis White | 1994 - Present |
| Legal Research Assistant | Sacramento County Public Defender's Office | 1993 - 1994 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| California Public Defenders Association | Attorney Member | 2012 - Present |
| Better Business Bureau | Member Attorney | 2010 - Present |
| Martindale-Hubbell | Member | 2010 - Present |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | Lawyer Member | 2007 - Present |
| Sacramento County Bar Association | Member Lawyer | 1997 - Present |
| U.S. District Court Eastern District of California | Attorney Member | 1995 - Present |
| California State Bar Association | Attorney Member | 1994 - Present |
| Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association | Lawyer Member | 2011 - 2012 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| AVVO Legal Guides | Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in PLAIN LANGUAGE | 2011 |
| AVVO Legal Guides | Yolo County Department 9 DUI and Misdemeanor Court | 2011 |
| AVVO Legal Guides | FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS; THINK YOU PASSED? | 2010 |
| AVVO Legal Guides | SACRAMENTO DUI & MISDEMEANOR COURTS, DEPARTMENT 3 & 4 | 2010 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 7 hours Kuwatch Annual All Day DUI Updates | 2014 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 5 hours DUI Drugs | 2014 |
| California Public Defenders Association | 4.75 Hours 5th annual DUI Defense Practice Institute | 2013 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 7 Hours All Day Kuwatch DUI Seminar | 2013 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 1.5 Hours Voir Dire in DUI Cases | 2013 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 1.5 Hours Scientific Evidence in DUI Cases | 2012 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 7 Hours Occupy DUI San Diego | 2012 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 5 Hours Occupy Fresno DUI Defense | 2012 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 1.5 Hours Laboratory Requirements in DUI Defense | 2012 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 7.0 Hours All Day DUI Defense Seminar San Francisco | 2012 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 1.5 Hours Change of Venue DUI Defense in Oakland | 2011 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 2.0 Hours Intro to Gas Chromatograph Part 2 | 2011 |
| California DUI Lawyers Assocation | 4.0 Hours GERD, Trial Strategies, .01 DMV Suspensions | 2011 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 2.0 Hours Intro Blood Alcohol Chromatographs Part 1 | 2011 |
| California DUI lawyers Association | 2.0 Hours DUI Defense San Francisco | 2011 |
| California Public Defenders Association | 1.0 Hour Cross Examination of Criminalist in DUI Cases | 2011 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 2.0 Hours General DUI Defense Oakland | 2010 |
| Robert F. La Pier & Associates | 22.0 Hour SFST Test Certification | 2009 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 1.5 Hours Rising Blood Alcohol Defense in DUI Cases | 2009 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 3.0 Hours Partition Ratio in DUI Defense Oakland | 2009 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 7.0 Hours All Day Seminar 2009 San Francisco | 2009 |
| Ventura College | POST Breath Alcohol Testing Device Certification | 2008 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 3.0 Hours DUI Defense Fresno | 2008 |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | 7.0 Hours 2008 Seminar Rancho Mirage | 2008 |
| California Deuce Defenders | 4.0 Hours DMV APS Hearings, Tactics & Strategies | 2004 |
| Lorman Business Center | 6.0 Hours DUI Strategies in Handling DUI cases | 2004 |
| Lincoln Law School of Sacramento | JD - Juris Doctor | 1994 |
| American River Junior College | Associate of Arts | 1979 |
| California State University, Sacramento | N/A |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Effective Representation in Misdemeanor Cases | DUI-Sacramento County Bar Association | 2015 |
| Real DUI Court in Schools, Pleasant Grove High School | DUI Consequences for Under Age Drivers | 2011 |
| Real DUI Court in Schools, Rio Americano High School | DUI Consequences for Under Age Drivers | 2011 |
| Real DUI Court in Schools, Capital Christian School | DUI Consequences for Under Age Drivers | 2011 |
| Real DUI Court in Schools, Rio Linda High School | DUI Consequences for Under Age Drivers | 2010 |
| Real DUI Court in Schools, El Camino High School | DUI Consequences for Under Age Drivers | 2010 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| People v GR | DUI case dismissed after filing. No loss of license. |
| People v. MA | DUI case rejected after almost one year. DMV APS set aside. No loss of driving privilege. |
| People v. DM | This second offense DUI case was rejected after nearly one year. No loss of license. Later filed for certificate of detention only, removing record of arrest. |
| People v. RV | Wet reckless and previously won DMV APS hearing. No loss of license. |
| People v. RH | Resolved as dry reckless, with no loss of driving privilege. |
I was in a pinch 10 years ago and this attorney gave me truth that I could not find elsewhere
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
November 6, 2021
Client
5.0 stars
Posted by Ruben H
February 13, 2021
Excellent communication and guidance
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
May 25, 2020
Extremely Satisfied
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
July 17, 2019
Beyond expectations. Always kept in touch.
5.0 stars
Posted by Eric
February 7, 2019
Extremely satisfied
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
January 4, 2019
Denis White is the best attorney.
5.0 stars
Posted by Sandy
December 31, 2018
Thank you Denis!
5.0 stars
Posted by Bryce
September 13, 2018
Denis is amazing!
5.0 stars
Posted by Jade
June 13, 2018
Denis White
5.0 stars
Posted by Zachary
June 29, 2017
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Attorney endorsements
(22)
Ryan Kocot, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Denis is as knowledgeable as they come when it comes to DUI defense. More importantly, Denis treats his clients like family and makes sure there is a constant line of communication with each and every person that retains him as their attorney. If you're looking for an attorney who could write the book on defending a DUI in criminal court and at DMV, you should go with Denis.
Leslie Ramos, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 28, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. White is very skilled and knowledgeable in the area of DUI defense, and has provided me advice and assistance as a fellow attorney. I highly recommend him.
Ryan Kocot, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Denis is as knowledgeable as they come when it comes to DUI defense. More importantly, Denis treats his clients like family and makes sure there is a constant line of communication with each and every person that retains him as their attorney. If you're looking for an attorney who could write the book on defending a DUI in criminal court and at DMV, you should go with Denis.
Leslie Ramos, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 28, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. White is very skilled and knowledgeable in the area of DUI defense, and has provided me advice and assistance as a fellow attorney. I highly recommend him.
Peter Merrigan, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 23, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Hovanes Margarian, Unknown Attorney on Dec 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
John O'Brien, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on May 27, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Denis. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Markus Dombois, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 20, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Denis is not only an excellent lawyer he is a very ethical person. Should you retain his services you can rely on his word that he will do his utmost to fully represent you. Denis is extremely knowledgeable on DUI law. When I have a question on a complicated issue involving DUI, I know I can speak with Denis, and get excellent information.
Jay Nunez, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 19, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Routinely offers excellent advice to Avvo users. I endorse this lawyer.
Eric Ganci, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 5, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Denis is well-known regarding DUI defense and criminal procedure/defense in general. He's connected with the California DUI Lawyers Association, and has been an incredible resource for both trials and DMV hearings.
Amie Beighley, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 1, 2013
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer.
Christopher Leroi, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 2, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. White is an exemplary attorney. I would refer anyone and everyone to him on a regular basis. Despite the fact that I have been a judge, magistrate, prosecutor, and private attorney for over 24 years, I continue to learn from him daily from his Avvo posts. I would recommend that you hire him in an instant.
Evan Oshan, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 28, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Experience!
Eric Stepanov, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 13, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I sincerely endorse Attorney White. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level.
Zachary McCready, DUI and DWI Attorney on Aug 1, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Denis White is the best DUI attorney in the Sacramento area. I highly recommend him to anyone who must win their DUI case.
Robert Hamilton, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jul 18, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer without reservation. First met Denis White at a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) training in Oakland a number of years ago. He is outstanding in his field because he stays on top of the law, the science, and goes above and beyond the call of duty for his clients. If arrested for DUI in or around Sacramento – call Denis White.
Kelly Babineau, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 18, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. White is an intelligent, compassionate and dedicated lawyer. He diligently advocates for his clients, fighting the DA and and DMV relentlessly. I endorse him without reservation.
Nancy King, Unknown Attorney on Apr 29, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I met Denis when I was a District Attorney. I experienced first hand his determination and persistence in fighting for his clients. Since leaving the DA's office I have had an opportunity to work alongside Denis. He is extremely knowledgable of the law and works very hard to stay up to date on all the latest changes in the law. I frequently call Denis to talk over cases. I highly recommend him.
Addie Young, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 28, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the opportunity to work with Denis on multiple DUI matters. We work together on local DUI cases and other various criminal matters. Other lawyers may be competent to handle a case, but no one will be as responsive, compassionate or as hard-working. Every day I've watched Denis work tirelessly to get his clients results. He knows where to push and when to push. If I was arrested I know where I'd go.
Christian Lassen, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 27, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Christopher Parkhurst, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 16, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Denis has demonstrated to me the characteristics that define our profession in a positive light: a straight-shooter who stays on top of the law, someone who works hard to improve his skills through continuing legal education, and a persistent, creative and determined advocate when handling cases. He also is an active and valued participant in the California DUI Lawyers Association.
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