Susan Marie Hearne

DUI and DWI Attorney at Chico, CA

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Susan M. Hearne: Best of the Best

I recommend Susan to anyone in need of a lawyer in Butte County. I was facing charges that could have resulted in serious fines, jail time, and a complete devastation to my future; Susan got my case dismissed and in the end I had no charges filed against me. She was able to find a way to settle my case outside of court and I could not be more grateful for the work she did for me. She truly saved my life and gave me a second chance after making a terrible mistake. Throughout the whole process she was very attentive to my case and was always there to answer questions, keep me updated on the status of my case, and talk me through everything like a close friend instead of an attorney. She does everything in her power to assist in your case and will help you through your difficult circumstances with great compassion and understanding. Her prices are very affordable and her credentials are second to none. If you find yourself in a situation where you need the assistance of an attorney, call Susan Hearne immediately. There is honestly nothing bad I can say about her service or work, she is the best of the best!

Won at Trial

The legal system is scary, especially when you're innocent. I was referred to Susan by another attorney, which I think is helpful; that another professional would recommend her and be confident in her skills. Her office has a staff of professionals that handled my case, listened to my concerns, interviewed witnesses and prepared for trial. When the DA's office simply would not listen to reason, Attorney Brenden took my case to Trial and won ! Whew. Nobody wants to be in legal trouble, but if you are these are the folks to contact !

About Susan

Learn Susan’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

DUI and DWI

60%

We are able to offer affordable representation on your DUI, including driving while suspended, DUI causing property damage, and underage drinking issues. We protect each client’s rights, freedom, and financial future, providing experienced advice. We also successfully defend Minor in Possession cases which effect your driver's license.
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15 years, 510 cases
Criminal defense

35%

DUI, Drug cases, Arrested for a fight? If you are arrested or under investigation for a criminal offense it is critical you make every effort to obtain an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to assist you. At the Law Office of Susan M. Hearne, we are committed to providing affordable, creative and zealous representation, with only our clients’ best interests in mind.
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24 years, 250 cases
Expungement

5%

New California Expungement Laws make clearing your record more beneficial than ever.

24 years, 95 cases

OUR LAW OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AGGRESSIVE, AFFORDABLE AND INTELLIGENT REPRESENTATION.

Senior Attorney Susan Hearne was a Peace Officer for the State of California for over 25 years, a Probation Officer in Riverside County, and a Deputy District Attorney in Butte County. She now uses that experience to advocate for you. She trained police officers and teaches at the local college. If you need a Butte County or Glenn County attorney, call us. We serve Tehama County and will make special arrangements to assist our Military Veterans or current service members. Beal AFB is nearby, and we will cover the Counties adjacent to it. Thank You for Your Service !

Our Criminal Defense Firm has offices in Chico, and can meet you in Oroville or Red Bluff. Our clerks and investigators include retired law enforcement officers, law school graduates, and staff with years of professional experience. We're a great team providing you with the skills and experience needed from a top notch Dui Firm. Our Litigation Attorney, Brenden Blake, will take on your Felony DUI case with precision and expertice. He is fearless at Trial and has an excellent win rate!

We are able to offer affordable representation on your DUI, including driving while suspended, DUI causing property damage, and underage drinking issues. We protect each client's rights, freedom, and financial future, providing experienced advice and detailed information to individuals experiencing difficult times.

With a strong criminal defense team, we offer reliable advice, effective legal pleadings, strong advocacy, positive results AND reasonable fees. We conduct your Butte County criminal case with respect for the client, and an aggressive defense for you. Use a firm knowledgeable of DUI law. Consultation is free.

Client reviews : June 2017 "Susan was an excellent Lawyer and literally helped me through every part of the legal court process. She was also there for me with support when I did not know what was happening in and out of the courtroom. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing an attorney. Thanks again for everything!!!" -JR

Photos and videos

Licensed for 22 years

State CA

Status Active

Acquired 2000

Updated 11/29/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Susan

Nor Cal Criminal Law

(530) 580-4512 Office

(530) 894-7529 Fax

2068 Talbert Dr. Suite 300

Chico, CA, 95928

norcalcriminallaw.com/

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Reviews

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4.8 / 5.0

19 customer reviews

5 Star

95%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by anonymous | January 26, 2013

Susan M. Hearne: Best of the Best

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Posted by Alisha D. | July 29, 2017

Won at Trial

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Posted by Jennifer | March 6, 2023

Friendly Support

Susan is an extremely knowledgeable criminal attorney. She will work efficiently on your behalf to protect you or your loved one. She is very familiar with our court system and will see to it that you understand the process before you.

Posted by Ashley | October 17, 2019

The best representation I’ve ever experienced

This was a while back, maybe a year ago. I know I thanked you over the phone, but I still think about how safe and comfortable I felt with you as my attorney. You’re a warrior and true lgbtq hero. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. I hope I’ll never get arrested or harassed again, but if I do, you’ll always be my first call from here on out. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

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Posted by Rachele | July 18, 2019

Need compassion during a difficult time?

Sue is easy to talk to and I believe she can bring light to any situation she is presented with. We recently became acquainted though a common professional group we attend. Sue is very knowledgeable and I'm confident she is great at what she does.

Posted by Miste | June 27, 2019

Professional

Susan is professional, caring and very knowledgable. She explains the law in understandable terms and has a great team who assists her.

Posted by Kim | June 14, 2018

Highly recommend

I recently contacted Ms. Hearne to assist me in a potential criminal matter. Ms. Hearne took a substantial amount of time to understand my needs and concerns. She asked relevant questions and even read the complaint ahead of the scheduled consultation. She was very responsive to questions and replied quickly to messages. Ms. Hearne was easy to talk with, quickly understood the issues and was able to accommodate my schedule. Prior to calling Ms. Hearne I was very frustrated and upset. So I’m sure what I shared with her was disjointed and conveyed the high level of frustration I was feeling. But Ms. Hearne was steady and patient and guided me through the consultation when it couldn’t have been easy. I really appreciated that. Fortunately, it turns out I won’t be needing her services. But if I did, I would have been proud to have her representation!

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Posted by anonymous | September 16, 2016

Quick response.

Susan was quick to respond to my message.

Posted by James | August 23, 2015

Thank God for Susan

The best thing about Susan is she straight forward and is not going to sugar coat anything. When you have a criminal issue, she is the one. Thank you so much Susan

Posted by anonymous | May 20, 2015

BEST THERE IS!

Susan is not only a great attorney but she is dedicated and passionate in helping her clients. I sought help from her for a DUI I was charged with. Susan and her staff kept me updated during the entire legal process and guided me on what to expect along the way. I would spend every last penny and hire Susan again if I was ever in legal trouble. Her rates are very reasonable and she was extremely successful with my case. Thanks to Susan and her hard work, I was successfully able to get my DUI expunged from my record.

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Posted by Kimberly | August 19, 2014

Great Attorney in Chico California

***** Stars +++ Susan is an outstanding attorney. She returned my phone call almost immediately and was available to meet the following day. Since working with Susan on my case over the last year I can say without hesitation that her attention to her clients, her personal attention to their legal issues and her genuine compassion and understanding far exceeded my expectations. She is without a doubt someone I would recommend to anyone needing legal assistance. Her years of experience and calm demeanor made an incredibly stressful time more tolerable and the outcome much better than I had hoped for.

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Posted by Tim | December 9, 2013

Help when I needed it.

I was in need of an attorney for a criminal situation for my son, and I did not have any experience in this area. I first located Susan online, looked at other reviews, and called her for some advice as to what to do. She opened up her schedule and invited me in to discuss. I spent a considerable amount of time with her advising what I should do. The case was not something she would have handled but she referred me to another individual, and guided me thru what I should be looking for. She was so good to help me in a difficult time, and I appreciated it very much. I would recommend Susan as very honest, trustworthy, and empathetic individual.

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Posted by Rachelle | October 21, 2013

DUI Case

Susan was fantastic. I got my DUI near Chester, CA on Fourth of July of this year. Susan was one of the most affordable DUI attorneys that I could find in Chico. During the time of my DUI I had just graduated from chico state and didn't have much money to spare, but Susan was great. She completely understood where I came from, she was very sympathetic and luckily we were able to negotiate a payment plan. Not just that Susan also got my charges dropped from a DUI to a wet reckless change plus getting $113 off my court fines. Susan and Debbie (her legal assistant) were always very polite and updated me an any change in my case. Compared to most of the people I have talked to in my DUI classes my case was resolved fairly quickly ( 3 months!) because she is such a great advocate. I also forgot to mention Susan went traveled to every court hearing, and updated me her in Long Beach. Overall, I had a great experience with Susan and her team. I highly recommend anyone who has recently gotten a DUI to go see her!!

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Posted by anonymous | May 20, 2013

I'm impressed

My first phone call meeting with Susan impressed me. She is a caring compassionate person. Susan offered advice that I hadn't considered. I don't know if i need a second contact with her, but if it is needed she will be my first choice.

Posted by Chad | October 20, 2012

Misdemeanor Citation Reduced!

I fully recommend Susan Hearne to anyone needing an attorney. I contacted Susan after receiving a citation in Oroville and am completely satisfied by her services. From the first phone call, Susan proved to be knowledgeable and a competent professional while maintaining the feeling that I was talking about my legal trouble with a friend. Although Susan quoted me an extremely reasonable price, she never hesitated to quickly respond to my many questions in the weeks before my initial trial hearing. Since I live in San Francisco, one of the best part of Susan's service was her ability to represent me in court, saving me from taking a day off from work and driving 3 hours each way. On top of all of this, Susan talked my citation down from a misdemeanor to an infraction, a difference in fines that more than made up for the cost of her legal services. Before contacting Susan, I was not sure that it was necessary to have a lawyer and was considering representing myself. In retrospect, I am so thankful that I called Susan. The reduction in stress, the information she gave me and her success in court were invaluable and I will be forever thankful for her service.

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Posted by Gilberto | October 15, 2012

Dependable and Trustworthy

I was lucky to be forwarded to this attorney by another attorney working on another case because she is kind and honest,dependable, always gave me the information I needed. She was understanding of my personal situation. She took care of my case with the professionalism that is expected of a lawyer and I would recommend her to friends and family without a doubt.

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Posted by James | October 8, 2012

Susan Hearne took care of my expungement perfectly!

Susan Hearne gave me an appropriate estimate of the fees. She was very affordable. I felt that I could trust her, she responded within 1/2 business day (usually within a few minutes) to my questions, she was very knowldgeable of the subject of expngements, and she kept me informed.

Posted by Aneta | January 30, 2012

The best defense possible.

My husband and I would not recommend any other attorney, regardless of the outcome of his case. We know Susan gave the best defense possible.

Posted by Billy Goodman | April 24, 2018

doesn't do trials

Susan is very good at advertising, and she will act like she cares. In my case she didn't show up to court. The policeman committed perjury which she failed to mention in her motion to set aside. At the motion to set aside she failed to mention we should be there. She didn't show up either. Now that it time for trial, she says she doesn't do trials. Now I am left with coming up with $5000 after I already paid her.

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Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Attorney at Law
Nor Cal Criminal Law
2009 - Present

Professor, Criminal Evidence
Administration Of Justice, Butte College
2016 - 2019

Attorney
Law Office of Dane Cameron
2007 - 2010

Associate Professor, Natural Resources Law
Butte College
2001 - 2016

Deputy District Attorney
Butte County District Attorney's Office
2000 - 2001

State Park Peace Officer
State Of California
1983 - 2010

Probation Officer
Riverside County Juvenile Probation
1982 - 1985

View all work experience

Education

CAL Northern School of Law
Juris Doctorate
1999

California State University, Chico
BS - Bachelor of Science
1992

Butte College
AS
1989

California State Parks
Police Officer Certificate (POST)
1983

View all education

Legal Cases

People v R.R
Dismissed in full. No DUI

People v. Manuel _____________
Case expunged after 1 year.

People V JT
reduced to a "wet reckless", no probation

View all legal cases

Associations

National Alliance on Mental Illness
Member
2015 - Present

National College of DUI Defense
Member
2014 - Present

Butte County Bar Association
Member
2014 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member
2014 - Present

California Public Defenders Association
Member
2013 - Present

Bidwell Mansion Community Project
Board of Directors
2012 - Present

California DUI Lawyers Association
Member
2011 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
2011 - Present

Federal Bar Association, Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Section
Member
2011 - Present

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Member
2009 - Present

United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
Admitted
2001 - Present

Association of Professional Women
N/A

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Languages Spoken

English

Spanish

Honors and Awards

Top 100 Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers
2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers
2015

Honorably Retired Peace Officer
State of California
2010

State of California Merit Award
Merit Award
2007

View all awards

Publications

Issue Paper, California State Parks
Civil and Criminal Issues In Archeological Law
2010

Speaking Engagements

Moot Court Honor Society
Moot Court Judge
2017

CSUC Legal Studies Program
The Bill of Rights
2016

Guest Lecturer
Nexus of Criminal and Civil Liability in Natural Resource Management
2014

CSUC Chico Moot Court Final Project
Moot Court Judge
2013

CSU Chico guest lecture
Basics of California Law
2013

Butte County Bar Association MCLE
Unexpected Consequences of Criminal Law
2013

Butte College Fall 2013
Natural Resources Law
2013

CSUC Chico
Recreation Law - Criminal and Civil liability
2012

Butte College Course
Natural Resources Law
2011

Butte College
Environmental Law Issues that Effect Local, State and Federal Law
2011

CSUC Chico Moot Court Final Project
Moot Court Judge
2010

Butte College
Natural Resources Law Update
2010

View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (23)

Given (23)

Endorse Susan

Nichole Farris

Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I recommend Susan Hearne for anyone looking for a criminal defense attorney in Butte County. Susan provides a personal and caring approach to clients that are in a very stressful situation. Additionally - Susan has a great attorney and gets great results for her clients!"

Aaron Stewart

Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. The is incredibly caring and tenacious at the same time. She represents her clients exceedingly well."

David Schwaner

Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is a true asset to the avvo community."

David Beyersdorf

Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Judd Nemiro

Unknown Attorney | Apr 03
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer for always putting the clients needs first."

Aryan Aliakbarzadeh

Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Saam Ghiaasiaan

Unknown Attorney | Jul 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Susan is a sharp witted, outside-the-box thinker who brings these attributes to the table for his clients' benefit."

Richard Rosenstein

Unknown Attorney | Jun 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Hearne is a skilled and respected member of the legal community. She is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of her clients."

John O'Brien

DUI and DWI Attorney | May 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A truly excellent attorney well respected in the legal community. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Brandon Williams

Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Great attorney that has district attorney experience"

Daryl Thompson

DUI and DWI Attorney | Jan 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Susan Hearne. Ms. Hearne is a well respected DUI/DWI attorney."

Ryan Friedman

Criminal defense Attorney | Jan 03
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"While employed as a deputy DA, I worked against Ms. Hearne on a number of matters. She was a skilled negotiator, who was able to fineness great deals for her clients. I always appreciated her friendly, upbeat manner and admired her ability to always think in terms of her client's best needs."

Stephen Cohen

Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"As a former officer, she certainly knows the rules of the game and is adroit in Plea Negotitation"

Tatiana Kadetskaya

Unknown Attorney | Jun 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Truly excellent lawyer. Well respected in the legal community."

Seth Okin

Unknown Attorney | Jun 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

M. Miller

Criminal defense Attorney | May 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Charles Franklin

Criminal defense Attorney | Jan 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend this attorney. Very intelligent and very thorough when analyzing legal issues! Compassionate with clients and aggressive with legal issues! 5 STARS!!"