My firm primarily provides legal representation in cases involving:

• DUI Defense
• Criminal Defense

Providing Second Chances

Sometimes clients’ personal substance abuse issues filter into our criminal court system. When you or a loved one is battling an addiction issue that has led to a criminal case, you are not alone. There are many legal options that we can pursue both to get your case dismissed or avoid jail time, and to help you turn your life around on a personal level. At the Law Office of Jennifer Zide, we have successfully represented hundreds of clients charged with drug crimes including possession for personal use, possession for sale, transportation, and under the influence of a controlled substance.

First Time Drug Offenders: As a person charged with a first-time drug offense, it is important to know that programs are available so that you can both avoid having a drug conviction on your record and get the out-patient treatment you need to overcome any drug use-related issue that may be holding you back in your life. For other clients, even clients with multiple drug offenses, there are also options available, whether that be out-patient treatment or residential treatment. Another alternative that we can pursue together is participation in Drug Court, an opportunity to address charges that are not, strictly speaking, drug offenses, but which are still motivated by clients’ drug use issues, such as alleged property crimes which are driven by addiction issues. Drug Court is another avenue for participation in residential treatment to help you or a loved one on a personal level, while also avoiding time in jail or prison.

At the Law Office of Jennifer Zide, I have successfully obtained treatment alternatives for hundreds of clients facing drug charges in Ventura County, whether that be the Diversion program leading to a dismissal or seeing my clients successfully complete shorter terms in residential treatment instead of what would otherwise be lengthy prison sentences.

Some of our excellent results on behalf of our clients charged with multiple drug or drug use-motivated offenses in Ventura County include: successfully argued to get my client the chance to complete a one year residential drug treatment program in lieu of a 6 year 8 month prison sentence, client sentenced to only 3 months of residential treatment with 3 month “sober living” program follow-up in lieu of what would have been 3 years in prison. At trial, for a client charged with felony possession and transportation of methamphetamine, I achieved a hung jury in favor of the defense and the case against him was subsequently dismissed.

Behind these numbers is the personal story of each client who has gotten the chance to turn his or her life around – whether they be the accused for whom individual jurors were persuaded to see that reasonable doubt that lay at the heart of their case, or clients who are good people facing one hard area of struggle in their lives. They are mothers, and veterans, our friends and family members, people who just need someone to believe in them and get them to a starting place, so that they can go down a different road. At the Law Office of Jennifer Zide, we believe in you and we are with you every step of the way. At the Law Office of Jennifer Zide, I am committed to this guiding principle in our client relationships, and to fighting for your individual rights and freedom every day. For help for you or a loved one facing a drug~based offense in Ventura County, call us today. At the Law Office of Jennifer Zide, we stand by you.To read an article about our office philosophy and how we help you or a loved one facing drug charges, click here.

DUI Defense

As a criminal defense attorney in private practice for the last 7 ½ years and, before that, as a deputy public defender in Mendocino County, I successfully represented hundreds of clients charged with Driving Under the Influence and other driving-related offenses. I have achieved excellent results on behalf of my clients charged with Driving Under the Influence in Ventura County, including dropped special allegations for high blood alcohol content. A dropped special allegation has a concrete, two-fold benefit: 1) less time in work release or custody and 2) a shorter and less costly, three month alcohol education class instead of the standard nine month for high blood alcohol content. For clients charged with Driving Under the Influence for the first time in Ventura County, I have also achieved sentences of absolutely no time in work release or in custody, in lieu of the standard 48 hours of custody or 5 days of work release.

For my clients charged with Driving Under the Influence in Santa Barbara and surrounding counties, I have achieved excellent results, including reduced work release or custody time and dropped special allegations and no added jail time in high blood alcohol content scenarios. For clients facing Driving Under the Influence in Santa Barbara County, my excellent results include a straight “reckless driving” (not a so-called “wet reckless” reduced charge) with even less probation and less of a fine than that for a standard reckless driving. My trial results include a hung jury in favor of the defense with a .11/.12 alleged test result, in which the case against my client was subsequently dismissed.

As a skilled Driving Under the Influence defense attorney in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, I bring my experience and dedication to your defense in identifying all the viable defense issues in your case. Did you know that the roadside exercises labeled by law enforcement as so-called “field sobriety tests” are not, in fact, reliable indicators of any driver’s impairment? Did you know that there could be valid scientific defenses even to an alleged .10% or higher blood alcohol content based on issues such as your drinking pattern, machine issues, or sample contamination? As an experienced DUI defense attorney in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, I thoroughly analyze the case against you with an eye toward developing all areas of reasonable doubt that will put you in a more advantageous position in your case. I at all times maintain open communication with my clients in order to answer all your questions, personally review your case with you, maximize your options in court, and explain all your rights and defenses so that you can make the right decision for you. At my office, we retain an experienced forensic toxicology specialist who partners with us to analyze all the scientific issues in your case and review those with you.

Offering the Most Comprehensive Representation Possible When You are Charged with a DUI

A Driving Under the Influence charge could happen to anyone. At the Law Office of Jennifer Zide, we are on your side to remove this roadblock and help you move forward. In my experience, many clients facing DUI charges are concerned not only about their criminal cases, but about the parallel DMV process that is also involved, including the DMV “admin per se” hearing. At my office, we are dedicated to removing this source of stress by dealing with the DMV bureaucracy for you. We will not only call the DMV in order to calendar your hearing; we are pleased to include representation at your DMV hearing, for no additional fee, when you retain my office to represent you in your DUI court case. In this way, it is my goal to provide you with the most complete and responsive DUI defense, to alleviate the burden placed on you by the DMV process, and to get you back on the road to freedom. For tips for you or a loved one when stopped by an officer who uses your stop to launch a DUI investigation, click here.

Fraud & Theft

As an experienced criminal defense attorney, I have successfully represented hundreds of clients facing fraud and theft charges, whether that be theft, check fraud, welfare fraud, or a charge of felony theft. I have achieved excellent results on behalf of clients charged with property crimes, including reductions to infractions, dismissals on charges of theft and check fraud, probation only and absolutely no custody time in takings over $15,000, and the reduction of a felony theft charge to a misdemeanor in a taking over $20,000. In my most recent trial result for a client facing a misdemeanor charge of petty theft, my client was found “not guilty” by the court based on my argument as to a witness identification issue. I am committed to providing my clients who are facing theft-related charges in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties with the best possible defense. Call us today to discuss the details of your individual case in a free, confidential consultation.

Criminal Defense

As an experienced criminal defense attorney, I have successfully represented hundreds of clients facing alleged crimes of violence, including criminal threats, battery, and alleged domestic violence, obtaining lesser sentences or dismissals on their behalf. In a felony domestic violence case involving serious alleged conduct and an alleged history with the same complaining witness, I achieved an excellent result for my client, a hung jury in favor of the defense and the subsequent dismissal of the case. My most recent success on behalf of a client facing a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence included absolutely no jail time and a sentence of probation only, as well as the benefit of only 10 anger management classes instead of the standard 52 week course of domestic violence counseling which is usually required. If you or a loved one is facing a charge of violence, we are here to help. Call us today. At the Law Office of Jennifer Zide, we are always on your side.

Some of my trial successes for clients include:​

• Violent Crime: Not Guilty in a domestic violence case involving a history of alleged domestic violence and expert psychiatric testimony. Result: Not Guilty
• Theft Crime: Not Guilty in a theft case involving eyewitness identification issue. Result: Not Guilty

Dismissals:

• DUI: Hung jury in favor of the defense in a DUI case with a .11/.12 alleged blood alcohol level and an accident. Result: Case dismissed
• Felony Drug Charge: Hung jury in favor of the defense in a felony drug possession and transportation case where my client was the only person in the car with the drugs. Result: Case dismissed
• DUI: DUI Dismissed, client Allowed to Plead to Reckless Driving only.
• Criminal Defense: Resisting arrest; After we filed a motion on the illegal arrest of my client, the case was dismissed.
• Criminal Defense: Hit and run; there was an issue as to whether damage could be established.; Case dismissed.
• Criminal Defense: Hit and run; Arguing that my client lacked the required intent based on his compromised mental state at the time, we were able to get this case dismissed.
• Criminal Defense: Client was falsely accused of criminal threats, successfully argued to get her case dismissed with one counseling class.
• Criminal Defense: Client avoids conviction for felony drug possession by participating in short-term drug counseling; Case dismissed.

Giving Back to the Community

My office supports local dog rescue charities, including Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue, and free music education and resources for our young people at Ventura "Notes for Notes" studio at Ventura Boys & Girls Club.

Let The Law Offices of Jennifer Zide Handle Your Defense!

As your criminal defense attorney, I will work tirelessly to make the system work for one person: you. Every case is really a case about your rights and your freedom. You can count on me to fight for you, to believe in you, and to stand by you every step of the way. When your rights are in the balance, you need a Ventura County DUI attorney with the knowledge, skill, commitment, and the experience to get you the results you deserve.

Schedule a free case evaluation by contacting the Law Office of Jennifer Zide at (805) 901-5403!

DISCLAIMER

The case results reported involve individual clients' experiences with the Law Office of Jennifer Zide. They are not to be taken as warranties or guarantees of the outcome in your particular case. Results depend on many factors, including the unique facts of your individual case.