Howard M. Van Elgort, Attorney at Law

Call : 831-462-4231

Been Arrested or Accused?

I CAN HELP!

Call (831) 462-4231

Experience Counts
  
Former Judge

Over 30 Years Legal Experience

Santa Cruz Drunk Driving & Criminal Lawyer

DUI Defense Attorney

Howard M. Van Elgort

2820 Porter Street, Soquel, CA 95073

Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey & San Benito Counties

(831) 462-4231

FREE CONSULTATION
 
I have extensive experience in the criminal justice field having been a prosecutor, a public defender in the Federal and State court systems, a Judge and a private criminal defense practitioner. I have handled a wide variety of felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases. My current practice is limited to criminal law cases with an emphasis on the defense of those accused of drunk driving (driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs - DUI).

In addition, I help clients with cases involving Domestic Violence (spouse & child abuse); Drugs (possession, use, transportation, and under the influence of controlled substances); Probation Violations; Criminal Threats; Assault and Battery; Child Abuse and Neglect; Theft (including fraud embezzlement and bad checks); Residential and Commercial Burglary; Juvenile Delinquency; and DMV license suspension and revocation hearings. 
 
I aggressively defend those falsely accused, improperly charged, or illegally arrested/searched. Other cases require negotiation and advocacy seeking reduction to lesser charges, lesser punishment, and alternative sentencing such as work release, work furlough, home detention (electronic monitoring), drug and alcohol treatment programs, and sober living homes (SLE).

I serve clients in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties, including the communities of: Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, Davenport, Freedom, Corralitos, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Marina, Prunedale, Castroville, Salinas, and Hollister.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

April 1997 - Present: Private law practice, Soquel, CA. Criminal defense only.

December 1996 - April 1997: Private law practice, San Francisco, CA. Sole practitioner handling criminal defense cases exclusively.

January 1996 - December 1996: Internet Marketing, Thetis Island, British Columbia. Conducted several home-based marketing businesses over the Internet.

January 1995 - December 1995: VP & General Counsel, Ground-Loc Systems, Inc. CA. & WA. Developed marketing strategies, programs and materials. Negotiated and prepared agreements. Analyzed production costs and product pricing.

January 1990 - December 1994: Private law practice, Joshua Tree, CA. Conducted all aspects of sole practitioner law office business unassisted by any other personnel. (criminal defense only).

January 1983 - December 1989: Private practice. Martin & Van Elgort, PLC., Yucca Valley, CA. Partner in two-man, three secretary general practice law firm with emphasis on litigation.

July 1979 - December 1982: Supervising Municipal Court Judge, Morongo Basin Division of the San Bernardino Municipal Court District, Joshua Tree CA. In addition to presiding over civil and criminal caseloads, I developed and implemented numerous innovative programs to improve the delivery of court services to the community.

January 1977 - June 1979: Judge of the Justice Court, Twentynine Palms Judicial District, San Bernardino County. Presided over both criminal and civil court cases and conducted private law practice on the side. Filed law suit requiring the State and County to upgrade the Court to a Municipal Court, thus bringing increased services to residents of the area.

October 1973 - December 1976: Assistant Public Defender for County of Riverside, Indio CA. In charge of branch offices in the desert portions of Riverside County. Supervised staff of 8 attorneys, 2 investigators and 2 secretaries.

January 1972 - October 1973: Deputy Federal Public Defender, Central District of California, Los Angeles. Staff attorney in newly formed federal program. Represented clients accused of various federal offenses.