Criminal Defense Heroes, P.C. founder, attorney Don Hammond, has been recognized as with a DUI Trial Advocacy Award by the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD). NCDD presents this award each year to one attorney whose DUI trial work stands out. Don Hammond has conducted DUI trials in multiple counties, with great results. These counties include Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
In addition to DUI trial cases, Don also represents clients at license suspension hearings with the Department of motor Vehicles (DMV). And when the DMV improperly suspends people’s licenses, Don pursues petitions for writs of mandate in the superior court. This is a lawsuit against the DMV, alleging that the Department made due process or procedural errors when it suspended the person’s license.
Don has also been successful in getting judges to suppress evidence on numerous grounds, including 4th Amendment violations. Some of these cases involve illegal searches of vehicles. Other involve illegal traffic stops. And others involve violations of accepted medical practices in DUI blood draws.
Recent DUI Trial Case Results
In one recent trial, Don was successful in getting a county crime lab technician to admit that there was evidence of fermentation in the blood work. This means that the blood created additional alcohol after it was drawn from the defendant’s arm, leading to a higher blood test result. In that case, Don also argued that the client’s BAC was rising between the time of the accident and when the police drew the blood.
In another recent DUI trial case, Don got the .19 BAC blood test results suppressed in the middle of trial, leading to the dismissal of the case. This was a second DUI case for a commercial driver. If the jury had convicted him, he would have lost his commercial license and his livelihood forever. Don also won the DMV hearing in that case, saving the client’s drivers license.
Don also recently got a Not Guilty verdict in a drug DUI trial, where the client was accused of driving under the influence of her prescription medications. He researched the duration of effect of each medication and showed that they could not have been effecting the client a the time of driving.
National College for DUI Defense
NCDD is a national organization that provides education, training, and support to DUI defense attorneys. Through this organization, Don has participated in dozens of seminars to hone his legal skills and scientific knowledge. He is a regular at Mastering Scientific Evidence, and has attended Serious Science for Serious Lawyers. He is also certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement.
Don received the DUI Trial Lawyer of the Year award on July 16, 2025, in Denver Colorado, at the NCDD Summer Session conference. Don is grateful to the College for the mentorship and many opportunities to become a better DUI attorney. The collegial exchange of ideas and information is essential to the successful practice of law. Don is honored and humbled to accept this award as DUI Trial Lawyer of the Year, and inspired to continue the fight.
If you are facing DUI charges, you need an attorney who understands the law and science. The NCDD provides that. Don is a proud member of both the NCDD and that California DUI Lawyers Association. Through these organizations, Don stays up to date on changes in law and strategy that are critical to defending DUI cases.
Torrance attorney Don Hammond has the training, experience, and expertise to win DUI cases in court and with the DMV! Contact us today at 323-529-3660 for a consultation.
