John McCurley

John McCurley

Attorney · University of San Francisco School of Law

John McCurley started writing criminal law articles for Nolo as a freelancer in 2015. He joined the Nolo staff as a Legal Editor in 2016.  

Education. John has a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the University of California, San Diego, and completed law school at the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2008.

Legal training. During law school, John became interested in the criminal justice system while interning with the Prison Law Office and the San Francisco and Contra Costa County public defender’s offices. After graduating and passing the California Bar in 2008, John practiced criminal defense and juvenile dependency law, primarily doing writs and appeals.

Legal career. John is currently a member of the California State Bar and has been a certified appellate law specialist since 2017 (certification from by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). John maintains a small private practice in San Diego (see www.mccurleylaw.com), handling mostly court-appointed juvenile dependency appeals out of various Southern California counties. He has a number published victories, including In re Juarez (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 1316, K.F. v. Superior Court (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 1369, People v. Hill (2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 1100 (co-counsel), and In re Bianca S. (2015) 241 Cal.App.4th 1272.

Articles By John McCurley

California's DUI Laws: What are the Penalties?
The penalties for a DUI in California depend—in large part—on how many prior DUI convictions the offender has. Read about the penalties for a first, second, and third California DUI.
Maine’s DUI Implied Consent Law and Refusing Alcohol Testing
Maine's implied consent laws require all drivers who are arrested for driving under the influence to take a blood, breath, or urine test at the request of an officer.
Delaware’s Implied Consent Law and Refusing a DUI Breathalyzer or Blood Test
Delaware's implied consent laws, the requirements that all drivers agree to alcohol testing if stopped for a DUI
Hawaii’s Implied Consent Law and Refusing a Breathalyzer, Blood, or Urine Test
How Hawaii's implied consent law works if you're stopped for a DUI and the penalties for refusing to take an alcohol test
Idaho’s Implied Consent Law and Refusing Alcohol Testing
Idaho's implied consent rules that require all drivers stopped for driving under the influence to take a blood, breath, or urine test at the request of an officer
North Dakota’s DUI Implied Consent Law and Refusing a Breathalyzer or BAC Test
In North Dakota, if you get pulled over for a DUI and the officer asks you to take a blood, breath, or urine test, do you have to take one? What happens if you refuse?
Virginia DUI/DWI Laws and Conviction Penalties
Learn about the penalties for a DWI/DUI conviction in Virginia.
California’s Open Container Laws and Violation Penalties
California’s open container laws generally prohibit consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol and marijuana in a motor vehicle. Read about the specifics of these laws and the penalties for a violation.
Third-Offense DUI in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s DUI law prohibits driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while: having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more having any amount of a Schedule I or II controlled substance in the body, or impaired by drugs or alcohol. Read about the third-offense penalties
Second-Offense DUI in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s DUI law prohibits driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while having a BAC of .08% or more or actually impaired by drugs or alcohol. Read about the penalties for a second offense.