Committed to Excellence in the Fields of Family Law & Criminal Defense
Since the founding of the law firm of J’Aimèe L. Oxton, APLC in 2011, attorney J’Aimèe Oxton and her legal team have established a reputation for providing highly strategic, discreet, results-driven legal representation to clients in all areas of Family Law & Criminal Defense. During her more than 15 years of practice, J’Aimèe has represented a diverse clientele, including prominent or high net worth individuals in many different fields, including the entertainment, music, and sports industries, business executives, innovators in the technology industry, law enforcement officers, doctors, dentists, beneficiaries of substantial family wealth, their spouses, and their children. Known for handling complex and highly contentious criminal and family law matters with discretion, sound judgment, and strategic focus, attorney and Santa Barbara native J’Aimèe Oxton understands the personal and professional stakes involved in sensitive legal matters. J’Aimèe is committed to protecting her clients’ privacy at every stage of the process and is well known for her meticulous attention to detail, for finding creative solutions for complex matters, and for the compassionate and hands-on guidance she provides to her clients.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Criminal Defense, Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT) & Juvenile Delinquency
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence/Driving While Intoxicated)
- MIP (Minor in Possession)
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Assault
- Battery (including Domestic-Related Incidents)
- Drug Possession
- Drug Sales
- Domestic Violence
- Theft Crimes, Forgery, Embezzlement & Other Financial Crimes
- Criminal Threats
- Record Expungements
- Resisting Arrest
- Public Intoxication
- Hit-and-Run
- Vandalism
- Unlicensed Driver or Suspended License
- Disturbing the Peace
- Gang-Related Charges
- Specialty Court Matters (i.e., Diversion, Drug-Court, MHTC, etc.)
- Probation or Parole Violations
- Many Other Felony and Misdemeanor Criminal Charges
Charged With a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)?
A Crime Involving Moral Turpitude is not a specific crime listed in the criminal code. Instead, it is a category used in immigration law. Generally speaking, a CIMT involves conduct that immigration courts and federal courts have viewed as involving:
- Fraud
- Theft
- Dishonesty
- Intentional harm to another person
- Conduct considered morally reprehensible
Unfortunately, there is no simple list that applies in every situation. Whether a crime is considered a CIMT often depends on:
- The specific criminal statute
- The elements of the offense
- The person’s intent
- How immigration law has interpreted that statute in prior cases
This is why two crimes that sound similar may have very different immigration consequences.
A charge or conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude can create serious consequences beyond fines, probation, or jail. Even a misdemeanor conviction may affect future employment, professional licensing, and immigration status—and, in some cases, may contribute to inadmissibility or removal proceedings. Because this legal classification depends on the specific offense and circumstances, it is critical to consult an experienced Santa Barbara criminal defense attorney like J’Aimèe Oxton to evaluate the charges, identify possible defenses, explain the potential collateral consequences, and pursue a resolution designed to protect your record, career, license, and future. Noncitizens should also consult qualified immigration counsel before accepting any plea agreement.
When a criminal investigation has begun against you, time is of the essence to your defense. The sooner you speak with an experienced attorney, the better.
Arrested for DUI? Santa Barbara DUI Lawyer J'Aimèe Oxton Serves Santa Barbara, Goleta and Isla Vista, including UCSB & SBCC Students
Santa Barbara DUI Lawyer for UCSB, SBCC, and Isla Vista area students
Has your child been arrested for DUI while attending UCSB or Santa Barbara City College? An arrest in Santa Barbara, Goleta, or Isla Vista can be frightening and overwhelming for students and their families. You may be worried about jail, criminal charges, college discipline, insurance costs, and the loss of driving privileges.
Santa Barbara DUI lawyer J’Aimèe Oxton can help you understand what happens next. She brings legal knowledge, compassion, and a willingness to fight for her clients during a difficult and uncertain time.
Call 805-966-6880 today for a free consultation.
“I Didn’t Feel Drunk” Is Not a DUI Defense
One of the most common statements made after a DUI arrest is, “I didn’t even feel drunk.”
Unfortunately, how a driver felt at the time is not the legal standard used to determine whether the person was driving under the influence. California prosecutors may pursue a DUI case based on alleged impairment, a prohibited blood alcohol concentration, or evidence that alcohol and drugs affected the person’s ability to drive safely.
A person may also face DUI charges involving:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prescription medication
- Illegal drugs
- A combination of alcohol and drugs
Every arrest is different. Santa Barbara DUI lawyer J’Aimèe Oxton can examine the evidence and determine whether the prosecution can prove its case.
California Breath and Blood Tests After a DUI Arrest
California’s implied-consent law (CA Vehicle Code section 23612) generally requires a driver who has been lawfully arrested for DUI to submit to chemical testing (i.e., breath or blood). Depending on the circumstances, the requested test may involve breath, blood, or another authorized testing method.
When law enforcement suspects drug impairment, officers may seek a blood test. However, the legality of a blood draw can depend on several technical and constitutional requirements.
A warrantless blood test may be challenged when officers did not obtain valid consent, did not secure a warrant, and cannot establish another recognized legal exception. If the blood sample was obtained unlawfully, a DUI defense lawyer may seek to have the resulting evidence suppressed.
Because these issues are highly fact-specific, it is important to have an experienced attorney review:
- Whether the traffic stop or arrest was lawful
- What the officer told you about chemical testing
- Whether you actually consented to a blood draw
- Whether officers obtained a valid warrant
- How the sample was collected, stored, and tested
- Whether laboratory procedures were followed correctly
A DUI Arrest in California Can Affect Your California Driver’s License
A DUI arrest can initiate a California DMV Administrative proceeding that is separate from the criminal court case. APS is an administrative license suspension program that requires the DMV to suspend or revoke your driving privilege based on an arrest for DUI, who does either of the following:
- Takes a chemical (blood or breath) test which shows a 0.01% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level while on DUI probation, 0.04% BAC while driving a commercial vehicle, and/or a 0.08% or more BAC while driving a noncommercial vehicle.
- Refuses to take or fails to complete a chemical test (blood or breath) to determine their BAC level or the drug content of their blood.
If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was at or greater than 0.08%, you did not refuse the chemical test, and you are age 21 or older, then your driving privilege will be suspended under the APS law. If you are convicted of a DUI for the same offense, the CA DMV will suspend or revoke your driving privilege for a period ranging from 6 months to 5 years. You may also be subject to the mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) restriction requirements for your DUI conviction, depending on whether this is your first DUI offense, whether it involved alcohol, and whether or not it resulted in injury.
For most California drivers age 21 or older operating a noncommercial vehicle, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher may trigger an administrative license suspension. A refusal or failure to complete chemical testing may result in severe penalties, including, but not limited to, a mandatory 1-year suspension of your driving privilege by the CA DMV. The officer may confiscate your driver’s license and issue a temporary license that is generally valid for 30 days, provided your driving privilege is otherwise valid. You typically have only 10 days to request a DMV APS hearing after receiving notice of the suspension, usually reflected in your temporary license. Missing this deadline can result in the loss of your opportunity to challenge the administrative action.
Contacting an experienced Santa Barbara DUI lawyer promptly gives your attorney time to review the notice, request the hearing, and begin protecting your driving privileges.
Challenging the Evidence in a Santa Barbara DUI Case
A DUI arrest does not automatically mean that the prosecution has a strong or legally valid case.
Attorney J’Aimèe Oxton can review the police reports, body-camera footage, chemical-test records, and other available evidence for problems that may affect the case.
Potential issues may include:
- An unlawful traffic stop
- Insufficient evidence of impairment
- Improperly administered field sobriety tests
- Inaccurate or improperly maintained breath-testing equipment
- Failure to follow required observation periods
- Rising blood alcohol levels
- Contamination or mishandling of a blood sample
- Prescription-medication explanations
- Lack of valid consent for a blood draw
- Problems with a warrant
- Inconsistent officer statements
Field sobriety tests are not automatically conclusive. Performance can be affected by fatigue, anxiety, footwear, uneven pavement, physical conditions, unclear instructions, and other circumstances unrelated to intoxication.
DUI Defense for UCSB and SBCC Students
A UCSB or SBCC student arrested in Isla Vista, Goleta, or elsewhere in Santa Barbara County may face consequences extending beyond the courtroom.
A DUI or alcohol-related arrest can potentially affect:
- Driving privileges
- Employment and internships
- Professional licensing
- Housing
- Financial aid
- School disciplinary proceedings
- Future educational opportunities
Parents often feel helpless when their child is arrested away from home. For more than 15 years, J’Aimèe has worked with UCSB and SBCC students and their families to explain the process, identify immediate deadlines, and develop an appropriate defense strategy.
Speak With a Compassionate, Experienced Santa Barbara DUI Lawyer
The days following a DUI arrest are critical. Evidence must be preserved, DMV Administrative deadlines must be addressed, and the circumstances of the traffic stop and chemical testing should be reviewed as soon as possible.
DUI Lawyer J’Aimèe Oxton has helped UCSB and SBCC students facing DUI allegations in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Isla Vista, for over 15 years, and she is prepared to stand up for you and your family.
Call 805-966-6880 or complete the contact form below to request a free consultation with experienced Santa Barbara DUI lawyer, J'Aimèe Oxton.
This site provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
Divorce, Child Custody, and other Family Law Matters
The law firm of J’Aimèe L. Oxton, APLC provides clients throughout Santa Barbara County with exceptional legal services in all aspects of family law, and have established a reputation for handling even the most complex and contentious family law disputes with the utmost discretion.
The firm's areas of expertise include jurisdictional divorce issues; marital property characterization, valuation, and division; spousal and child support; child custody cases; paternity matters; and prenuptial, postnuptial, and marital settlement agreements.
There are a variety of factors that can impact how long the divorce proceedings last. These include California’s six-month minimum rule, the relationships between the parties, the complexity of the financial situation, and the type of divorce attorneys that the spouses retain.
Divorce and family law disputes can affect your children, finances, property, and future. Santa Barbara lawyer J’Aimèe Oxton provides compassionate, strategic guidance to help clients understand their options, protect their interests, and make informed decisions.
Whether your case involves an uncontested divorce, a high-conflict custody dispute, substantial assets, or support issues, J’Aimèe develops a legal strategy tailored to your specific circumstances and long-term goals.
Family Law Matters Attorney J’Aimèe Oxton Handles
J’Aimèe represents individuals and families throughout Santa Barbara County in matters involving:
- High-Conflict Parenting Disputes
- Divorce & Legal Separation
- Property Division
- Asset protection
- Child Custody and Visitation
- Spousal Support (Alimony)
- Child Support
- Mediation
- Temporary and long-term spousal support
- Property settlements and division of debt
- Parental Rights & Responsibilities
- Enforcement and modification of court orders
- Guardianships
- Grandparent visitation rights
- Domestic Violence matters
- Premarital agreements (Prenups)
Every family is different. J’Aimèe develops a legal strategy based on the facts of your case, your immediate concerns, and your long-term goals.
Compassionate Family Law Representation in Santa Barbara County
A divorce can change nearly every part of your life. You may be concerned about where you will live, how your income will be affected, whether you can remain in the family home, and how much time you will spend with your children.
It can be difficult to make clear decisions while managing the emotional and financial stress of separation. Working with an experienced Santa Barbara divorce lawyer gives you an objective legal advocate who can identify potential problems, explain your rights, and help you pursue a practical resolution. J’Aimèe provides thoughtful guidance while advocating firmly for her clients in negotiation, mediation, and court.
Although we are litigators, at the law firm of J’Aimèe L. Oxton, APLC, we look for alternatives to litigation. Often our cases are resolved through mediation after thorough preparation. When matters cannot be resolved out of court, we pursue litigation both in the public court system and through private reference judges. We provide quality service while remaining cost conscious.
This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every family law matter is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
