Were you arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, CA? You may be facing two separate battles: one in criminal court and another with the DMV over your driver’s license. Both demand strong legal representation from a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who can protect your rights. Call Fight My Ticket at (323) 435-6045 for help fighting the charges.
For more than two decades, our team has defended drivers across Southern California against DUIs, traffic charges, and related offenses. We know the courts. We know the process. And we know the science behind these cases. Let us use our knowledge and experience to defend you. Reach out today to learn how we can help.
Why Choose Fight My Ticket to Handle My DUI Case?
A DUI is one of the most common criminal charges. That it’s common doesn’t mean it’s not serious. The penalties are steep, and you could find yourself facing loss of your driving privileges and your freedom.
You need a DUI team that takes your defense seriously. Drivers across Los Angeles, California, choose our firm because:
- We have more than 30 years of experience defending DUI and traffic cases in Southern California
- We have developed a strong track record of dismissals and reductions for our clients
- We handle cases throughout Southern California
- We provide personalized client service and address your legal needs
- We offer free consultations and upfront communication about your options
When your license and your record are on the line, having an experienced advocate makes all the difference. Call our Los Angeles DUI attorneys today to put our team in your corner.
What Is a DUI in California?
In California, driving under the influence is defined in two main ways under Vehicle Code Section 23152. You can be charged for:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the point that you cannot drive with the caution of a sober person (Section 23152(a)).
- Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher (Section 23152(b)).
This means you can be convicted of a DUI even if your BAC is below 0.08%, as long as the prosecution can show that alcohol or drugs impaired your ability to drive safely. To make that case, officers rely on their observations of your driving, your appearance, and behavior during the stops and testing of your breath or blood.
BAC Limits and Other Substances
Different BAC limits apply to different drivers:
- 0.08% for most drivers aged 21 and older
- 0.04% for commercial drivers
- 0.04% for drivers carrying passengers for hire, such as rideshare and taxi drivers
- 0.01% for drivers under 21, under California’s zero-tolerance law
A DUI is not limited to alcohol. You can also be charged for driving under the influence of drugs, including cannabis and drugs that impair your driving.
What Are the Penalties for DUI and Subsequent DUIs?
California uses a 10-year “lookback” period for DUI offenses. Prior DUIs within the past 10 years increase the penalties for a new offense.
Most DUIs are misdemeanors, but the consequences grow more severe each time. That’s why fighting a first DUI charge can protect you from far harsher penalties down the road.
A first-offense DUI can carry:
- Up to six months in county jail
- Fines of $390 to $1,000, plus penalty assessments
- A three- to nine-month DUI education program
- Three to five years of informal probation
- A six-month license suspension
A second offense within 10 years can bring:
- Up to one year in county jail
- An 18- to 30-month DUI program
- A two-year license suspension
A third offense within 10 years can bring:
- Up to one year in county jail
- A designation as a habitual traffic offender
- A three-year license revocation
Some DUIs are charged as felonies, including a fourth DUI within 10 years and a DUI that causes injury to another person. These offenses carry the possibility of state prison.
Beyond jail and fines, a DUI conviction almost always comes with additional requirements. Most drivers must complete a state-approved DUI education program, pay court costs, and install an ignition interlock device before fully restoring their driving privileges. Missing any court-ordered condition can lead to new charges and extended penalties.
License Suspension and Other Penalties
A DUI triggers two separate proceedings. The criminal case decides your guilt and any criminal penalties. At the same time, the DMV starts its own administrative case to suspend your license; that process moves forward regardless of what happens in court.
You have only 10 days from your arrest to request a DMV hearing. If you miss that deadline, your license will be suspended automatically. Requesting the hearing not only protects your driving privileges but also gives your attorney an early look at the evidence against you.
A DUI also brings collateral consequences that reach well beyond the courtroom:
- Higher insurance premiums and a required SR-22 filing
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle
- A criminal record that appears on background checks
- Possible harm to your job or professional licenses
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- The loss of a commercial driver’s license for commercial drivers
These collateral effects are almost as serious as the DUI penalties themselves, making it even more important to challenge your charges at every possible point.
Are There Defenses to DUI Charges?
A DUI arrest does not guarantee a conviction. The prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and DUI cases often rest on evidence that can be challenged.
Depending on the facts, your defense may include:
No Lawful Stop
If the officer lacked a valid reason to pull you over, the evidence gathered afterward may be thrown out of court. Police need reasonable suspicion to initiate a traffic stop, not just a hunch. If the stop was unlawful, the prosecution may lose key evidence, including observations, statements, and test results.
Faulty Breath Test
Breathalyzers must be properly calibrated and maintained, and errors can produce false readings. The officer must also follow proper testing procedures. Problems with maintenance records, machine operation, or testing conditions can create doubt about the accuracy of the result.
Rising BAC
Your BAC may continue rising after you stop driving, meaning your test result could be higher than your BAC while you were behind the wheel. This defense may apply when there was a delay between the traffic stop and the chemical test. In that situation, the test may not accurately reflect your alcohol level at the time you were driving.
Medical Conditions
Conditions such as acid reflux, GERD, and diabetes can distort breath test results. Certain medical issues can affect the presence of mouth alcohol or produce symptoms that mimic impairment. A medical explanation may help challenge both the officer’s observations and the chemical test.
Improper Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests are subjective and can be affected by nerves. Medical conditions and unclear instructions can also affect performance. Poor results do not automatically prove intoxication.
Blood Test Errors
Mistakes in how blood is drawn, stored, transported, or analyzed can undermine the results. Blood samples must be handled according to proper procedures to avoid contamination or unreliable readings. Chain-of-custody problems or lab errors can weaken the prosecution’s evidence.
An experienced DUI attorney can analyze your case for these and other weaknesses — and use them to seek a dismissal or a reduction to a lesser charge.
How an Experienced Los Angeles DUI Lawyer Can Help
Trying to fight a DUI on your own means going up against trained prosecutors and a complex system, with your license and freedom at stake. A skilled DUI lawyer levels the field. Your attorney can:
- Request and represent you at the DMV hearing to protect your license
- Review the traffic stop, arrest, and testing for constitutional and procedural violations
- Examine the reliability of the breath or blood evidence
- Negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or alternative sentencing
- Guide you through DUI programs and probation requirements
- Represent you at every court appearance and, if necessary, at trial
- Pursue expungement of your record once you become eligible
Acting quickly gives your attorney the best chance to protect both your license and your record. The sooner you call, the more we can do for you.
Contact a Los Angeles DUI Attorney for a Free Consultation
A DUI charge is serious, but it is not the end of the road. With an experienced defense team, you may be able to protect your license and your record. But you must act fast — before the 10-day DMV deadline passes.
At Fight My Ticket, we have spent more than two decades fighting for drivers across Southern California; we are ready to fight for you. Contact our Los Angeles DUI attorneys today at (323) 435-6045 to schedule a free consultation and start building your defense.
