◈ Homepage — https://hartlevin.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-santa-monicaSkip to content DUI LAWYER | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 [email protected] PRACTICE AREAS TESTIMONIALS EXTRAS CONTACT US LOS ANGELES DUI DEFENSE LAWYERS 1000+ TOTAL 5 STAR REVIEWS* FOUR YEARS A SUPER LAWYER. ONE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE! SUPERLAWYER 2023-2026 Contact us for your online Free Case Review Now! AWARD-RECOGNIZED DUI DEFENSE IN LOS ANGELES ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 Facing DUI charges? Connect with the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin to speak with an attorney who specializes in Los Angeles DUI defense. Our dedicated team focuses exclusively on DUI defense and brings decades of combined experience to every case. With extensive experience handling DUI cases throughout Los Angeles, our attorneys are skilled at navigating the complexities of DUI defense while advocating for the most favorable outcome based on the facts of each case. Call today 310-935-3100 to speak with a DUI defense team known for a thorough, strategic approach to DUI cases. 5-Star Reviews 0 + Google | Avvo | Yelp 100's of Cases Resolved 0 + Avvo Rating Avvo Rating 0 /10 Honored as SuperLawyer (2023-2026) and Super Lawyer Rising Star (2014-2021) Clients Avoid Jail Time Depending on Case Circumstances 0 % Widely Reviewed and Recognized Always Available 0 /7 Se Habla Español Looking for Strong DUI Defense in Los Angeles? I’m Hart Levin, a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, and I’m proud to be trusted by individuals throughout Los Angeles facing serious DUI charges. Throughout my career, I’ve helped many clients navigate DUI charges with outcomes that reflect careful preparation and strategic defense. My selection as a Super Lawyer and strong client ratings reflect my commitment to thorough and dedicated DUI defense. At my firm, we take pride in consistent recognition from Super Lawyers and strong Avvo ratings, and we’re well-versed in handling both the DMV and criminal court aspects of DUI cases. When you choose my team, you gain a dedicated group of professionals who handle every aspect of your case. From demanding DMV hearings to in-depth analysis of evidence and the development of a robust defense strategy, we leave no stone unturned. Our primary focus is on preserving your driving privileges and minimizing the potential consequences of your DUI charge. We’re dedicated to pursuing the most favorable outcome supported by the facts and law in your case. Don’t hesitate to reach out today at 310-935-3100 and experience our aggressive and highly successful DUI defense strategy firsthand. Proven Expertise In Every Case Of DUI Defense Underage DUI We Identify Defenses That May Reduce or Dismiss Charges in Appropriate Cases Learn More While no one supports underage drinking and driving, we have several useful defenses that can be utilized to challenge the case: We will challenging the reason for the police contact We can challenge the breath machine results We will fight for a “critical needs license” DUI Expungement Our Team Can Help Clear Your DUI Record Learn More Benefits of Expunging your DUI Conviction: Answering “No” when asked if you had a criminal conviction Eligible for more jobs Immigration visas are no longer in jeopardy Banks and other lenders are more likely to approve applications Felony DUI We Have Extensive Experience Handling Felony DUI Cases Learn More In many felony DUI cases, prison time can be avoided depending on the circumstances. A felony DUI may happen under the following scenarios: Four DUIs within a ten-year period Seriously injuring someone with DUI accident Previously convicted of a felony DUI DUI With Bodily Injury A Driver Charged With a DUI in Which Someone Else Suffered a Bodily Injury May Have Severe Penalties Learn More Though penalties for a DUI with bodily injury will be harsh, our team is here to defend you. The government must be able to prove: That you drove a motor vehicle Physical or mental abilities were impaired or your BAC was at or above 0.08 You committed an unlawful act, causing an injury to another person DMV Hearing Defense The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin Will Fight For You To Keep Your License Learn More When defending you in a DMV hearing, our team will challenge evidence such as: Legal grounds to conduct a traffic stop Were there other conditions that interfered with the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests? Was the driver given the required legal warnings? First Time DUI We Have Had Many First Time DUIs Dismissed And Are Ready to Fight Yours Learn More Our team of DUI legal experts are here to fight for your rights and inform you on the following: The DMV license suspension hearing First time DUI penalties and factors that will impact these First time DUI probation How to fight your first DUI charge Second Time DUI Get Informed On The Significant Consequences Of a Second DUI Arrest Learn More A 2nd DUI arrest in Los Angeles may result in serious consequences including jail time, fines, classes, community service, probation, license suspension, and more. Hit & Run DUI If You Are Charged With a DUI Hit-and-Run, You Need An Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer Learn More Being under the influence and also leaving the scene of an accident may lead to severe penalties such as: Mandatory jail time, especially if there are injuries or deaths Years of probation Multiple years of license suspension Prescription Drug DUI Driving After Taking a Prescribed Medication May Result In a DUI Charge Learn More California implemented prescription drug DUI laws to safeguard the public against drivers whose visual acuity, motor skills, response time, and decision-making abilities may be compromised due to the adverse effects of lawful medication. Client Reviews The highest rated and most reviewed DUI and criminal defense firm in Los Angeles Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Couldn't be happier with the outcome of my case with the help of Hart Levin. I was looking at a very serious charge of felony DUI in a very tough courthouse and the DA wanted years in prison. After talking to Hart, he told me that there was no way he would let me go to prison. He worked his magic and got the best possible outcome. Not only did I not go to prison, I only had to spend 2 days in county jail, pay a couple extremely low fines and attend a 9 month alcohol program. He kept me up to date every step of way in my case and answered all my questions promptly. Hart truly cares for his clients and will fight hard to get the best possible outcome. If you are having trouble deciding on an attorney, look no further and give Hart Levin a call. You won't regret it. Tony S. Read More Reviews on Yelp Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each DUI case depends on its own facts, circumstances, and applicable law. I Got A DUI in LA County — What Happens Next? Upon being released from jail, the police will provide you with a pink temporary license known as the Admin Per Se Temporary Drivers License, as well as a notice to appear in court and oftentimes a booking slip which includes a mugshot. The police give no instruction on how to navigate the incredibly difficult court and DMV process. Seeking the best legal defense right away is crucial to your livelihood. Within 24-48 hours upon your release, you will want to consult with a DUI specialist so the DMV hearing process can be done on time, without missing crucial deadlines that will lead to an automatic suspension of your driver’s license. When you contact our firm, you will speak directly with a DUI specialist who has incredible experience and knowledge in successfully defending DUIs in Los Angeles. We can begin the process over the phone or in person. We will explain the process to you and tell you what needs to be done immediately to start your successful DUI defense. Many people do not realize that with a DUI case, there are actually two separate cases that occur after a DUI arrest: a DMV case a criminal court case Each case operates independently of the other which we will begin to prepare for. Learn more about what to expect after getting a Los Angeles DUI in our full guide or ask us directly at 310-935-3100. The 2 Parts of California DUI Cases 1. The DMV Case: The DMV case is extremely time sensitive, and if not fixed immediately, will result in an automatic suspension of your driver’s license. The most urgent task after the arrest is for us to contact the DMV to demand an APS (Admin Per Se) Hearing, request all reports, video/audio, dashcam footage, bodycam footage, calibration logs (“discovery”), and to set a DMV hearing date.  When you hire us, we handle it all for you. We contact the DMV immediately and protect your ability to drive. We let the DMV know that we will be fighting the case and challenging all aspects of the DUI. We conduct the hearing on behalf of our clients.  We ensure that the DMV sends you a new temporary license right away so you can continue driving with full driving privileges, even after the DUI arrest. Once we receive the police reports and discovery from the DMV, we carefully analyze the specific evidence in your case to determine your best defense strategy. The DMV is incredibly difficult and they try to suspend one’s driver’s license in nearly all DUI related cases. We have a tremendous record of success with winning at the DMV level to preserve your ability to continue driving.  If the hearing results in a suspension, we guide our clients in getting a restricted license and help them each step of the way. License suspensions can be anywhere from 30 days to many years; drivers may also be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for years at a time. 2. The Court Case: The second part of a DUI is the court case, or “criminal case.” This is where you face punishment ranging from classes and fines, all the way up to jail or prison.  This is the main case and the main focus of our defense since the consequences can be devastating if the case is not defended properly. In many cases, you do not need to appear in court for the criminal case since we appear on your behalf. There are typically several hearings while we fight the DUI charge and the process can take several months. It is critical to get all of the evidence so we can build a successful defense.  Avoiding Serious Consequences Many people believe that a DUI stays on your record forever but thankfully, this is untrue. A DUI conviction can be expunged in Los Angeles or removed in nearly all cases, once all court obligations have been completed. Having a clean record without a DUI is critical to finding new employment, housing, loans, etc. What About Jail Time? In many first-offense DUI cases, jail time may be avoided depending on the facts and court. On second offenses where jail is required by law, we can often get house arrest instead of jail in many cases, depending on the court and circumstances of your case. Extensive Experience Achieving DUI Case Dismissals We aggressively Defend your Driver’s License Former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney 94% of Clients Receive No Jail Time Flexible Payment Plans & Accept All Major Credit Cards Highly Reviewed DUI Attorney on Yelp Los Angeles DUI Defense Felony DUI Underage DUI DUI FAQs What Happens When You Get a DUI in Los Angeles? How Much Does a DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles Cost? DUI LAWYER IN LOS ANGELES, CA HIGHEST RATED DUI DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN LA Contact Us! AWARDS Our Expert LA DUI Attorneys Fight For You At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, our Los Angeles DUI lawyers specialize in successfully defending DUI cases and criminal charges in all Southern California courts. We understand what is on the line when you are facing DUI or criminal charges.  You risk losing your job, career, driver’s license, your ability to travel and the ability to provide for your family; not to mention a massive amount of punishment that the court and district attorney typically seek, which can be financially crushing and humiliating.  As a former prosecutor and deputy district attorney, I have experienced the system from the inside. I know the inner workings of the prosecutor’s office, their undisclosed policies, and how they try to rack up as many convictions as possible.  I began my own law firm to utilize that insider expertise and experience to even the playing field for those stuck in a criminal justice system. As I often say, the best way to beat the prosecutor is to hire a better one. WHY TRUST US FOR DRUNK DRIVING DEFENSE Expertise in DUI Having been formally trained by the District Attorney’s Office, we know exactly how the DA will attack the case and seek a conviction. We use our inside knowledge of their weaknesses and vulnerabilities to get the best results that would otherwise be impossible to achieve.  We are results-oriented and client-focused. In our industry, winning counts. And no one has a higher win rate than we do. Some clients ask why a case takes so long and my answer is always the same – the case is not over until we have reached the absolute best possible result. Protect your Right to Drive We protect your ability to drive. DUI charges can result in long driver’s license suspensions, even on a first DUI. We have the ability to extend your driver’s license and keep you on the road. We aggressively fight the DMV case to protect your license.  To fight and prevent the DMV suspension, it is critical to act fast so you do not miss the deadline to demand the hearing. Once it is missed, the DMV will automatically suspend your license. It’s about who you know. Court Relationships Relationships are critical to getting things done in a criminal court room. Knowing the judges, prosecutors and supervisors in the DA’s office is an incredible tool we utilize to get the results our clients deserve.  Having earned their respect and trust, they understand that we mean what we say and will back it up with action to defend our clients. When we point out flaws in the evidence, they often fold their cards, knowing full well we will vigorously fight the case in the courtroom to publicly display how the case was mishandled by law enforcement. Dedicated Representation We handle the entire case for you. In misdemeanor cases, we typically appear in court on behalf of our clients, who never have to come to court. Not having to go to court means our clients can focus on what matters most to them.  We update our clients right after court concludes and tell them what to expect next. On felony DUI cases where the client is ordered to appear, we are by your side, answering the court’s questions and taking the pressure off of our client. DUI LAWYER IN LOS ANGELES, CA Contact Us! DUIs for Immigrants Immigration consequences have become very severe. A criminal conviction, even for a first time DUI offense, can trigger deportation requirements and other immigration difficulties. We are in a complicated political environment where immigrants live in daily fear of being deported.  Winning your case instead of being convicted can often mean staying in the United States instead of being deported. It has never been more important than it is today to win your case if you are not a United States citizen. Experience counts. 60+ Years of Defending DUI Cases At our firm, we have over 60 years of combined experience and expertise in defending DUI and criminal charges. I personally oversee every case and don’t believe in handing the case off to someone with entry-level experience or skill, like many other law firms.  We have been honored to have been chosen to represent fellow lawyers in the community, law enforcement officers (including LAPD, CHP, sheriff deputies, DEA and FBI – yes, they get arrested too), local judges, politicians, and even hall of fame athletes and celebrities.  No matter who our clients are or their background, we treat everyone with the same personalized attention, compassion, respect, and commitment to achieving the strongest possible outcome.get the very best result. HIRE A DUI DEFENSE ATTORNEY WITH PROVEN SUCCESS In a sea of attorneys making false promises to desperately get your business, it can be difficult to choose the best DUI attorney for you. We do not make promises about outcomes. Our results speak for themselves. See what past clients have to say. We are honored to have received several awards since our firm began, including: Being ranked #1 among 500 law firms in the Law Firm 500, a national law firm ranking system We have also received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award every year since we began Been named a Super Lawyer and Rising Star for the past 4 years in a row Maintain an attorney rating of 10 out of 10 (the highest rating an attorney can achieve) Selected as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association Awarded the 10 Best in Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys We have also been named Top DUI Lawyer by Avvo every year since the firm began Free case review and consultations. We offer flexible payment plans with no interest and accept all major credit cards. Se habla español. We Fight for You We attend court on behalf of our clients so they do not need to attend in many cases, and we let the court and prosecutor know that we intend to fight the case. The punishment for DUIs has increased as California has taken a more punitive stance towards driving under the influence. Los Angeles is now requiring a breathalyzer in your car after even a first offense DUI. The court and prosecutor will seek punishment that often includes probation, heavy fines, lengthy and expensive classes, working at the Hospital and Morgue, Mothers Against Drunk Driving classes, extra AA meetings, community service, community labor, and jail time. It is critical to fight and negotiate each part of the punishment to ensure a fair result. Our goal in these cases is first to seek a dismissal. If that does not work, we seek to reduce charges and all punishment. We provide top-notch DUI defense for our clients due to our expertise and experience in DUI cases. Choose an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney Our winning record is second to none because we never lose sight of what matters most – our clients’ success and freedom. There are plenty of so called “DUI defense attorneys” who are desperate for business and make false promises to get your case dropped just to earn your business.  Here at this firm we focus on preparation, strategy, and advocacy, not promises.. When your freedom is on the line, do not hire a “good” DUI defense attorney. Only hire the best. Criminal Defense Specialists We have earned a reputation for winning high profile criminal defense cases in many southern California courts. We have the experience and expertise needed to fight and win difficult criminal cases. Our clients come to us for help with cases ranging from very serious felonies all the way down to minor misdemeanors. We have successfully defended cases including domestic violence, drug sales, drug possession, theft and robbery crimes, hit and run cases, weapons crimes, probation violations, assault and battery charges, gun cases, forgery and fraud charges, terrorist/criminal threat allegations, felony DUI, manslaughter, illegal street racing and all other serious felonies and misdemeanors. Most recently we have defended large marijuana dispensary cases as the industry continues to grow. We use our own private investigators to gather valuable evidence that makes the difference between winning and losing a case. Our Promise to Every Client Facing a DUI We carefully review all evidence and require that the prosecutor turn over every piece of evidence available. Our team of DUI lawyers begin working immediately to find and preserve sensitive evidence that will be used in your defense. We consult with our clients to come up with a winning defense strategy. We keep our clients updated regularly and are always here to answer your questions. As a deputy district attorney, I handled every type of criminal charge and grew an insider’s understanding of how the DA prosecutes each type of crime. I have utilized this to help my clients avoid jail and prison hundreds of times. When the stress is high and our clients are worried about their future, we listen compassionately and let them know exactly what our strategy is to fix the problem. We fight tirelessly to protect your record and to show the prosecutor that you are not just another number on the court’s schedule. The prosecutor and court will often try to scare or intimidate clients to plead guilty on the first court date and threaten greater punishment if they do not. Free Consultations & Payment Plans We encourage you to utilize our proven strategies for winning to protect your freedom today. We provide free consultations, generous payment plans, and a commitment to give you the absolute best representation money can buy. But don’t take our word for it. All Los Angeles County Courts We Serve: Long Beach  Santa Clarita  Glendale  Lancaster Palmdale Pomona  Torrance Beverly Hills Studio City Sherman Oaks Riverside Pasadena Downey Hollywood Redondo Beach  Santa Monica  Manhattan Beach  Hermosa Beach Encino West Hollywood Additional Service Areas of California:   Orange County Courts  Ventura County Courts Riverside County Courts  Santa Barbara County Courts  San Diego County Courts  San Bernardino County Courts Santa Jose & Sunnyvale Santa Clara County Contra Costa County Walnut Creek Request a Consultation Name (Required) First Last Email (Required) Phone (Required) Message (Required) Pasadena Downey Hollywood Redondo Beach  Santa Monica  Manhattan Beach  Hermosa Beach leo. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved
 | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp ◈ Interior Pages — 51 pages crawledHollywood DUI Lawyer | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Top-Rated Hollywood DUI Attorney Welcome to the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , where we pride ourselves on being the premier choice for DUI defense in Hollywood. With a team of highly skilled and accomplished DUI lawyers, we have built a solid reputation for achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Having represented numerous individuals facing DUI charges in this region, our attorneys bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. They possess the necessary skills to meticulously analyze all evidence, construct a persuasive defense strategy, and passionately advocate for the best outcome on behalf of our valued clients. What Happens When You Get a DUI in Hollywood? If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of being arrested for a DUI in Hollywood, it’s crucial to grasp the potential repercussions. Once you are apprehended, your driver’s license will be confiscated, and a temporary one will be provided in its place. It’s important to recognize that your case will be handled through two distinct avenues. Firstly, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will initiate their own investigation to determine whether your driving privileges should be suspended. Secondly, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (where I had previously served as a Deputy District Attorney) or the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office will press criminal charges against you for the misdemeanor offense. DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in Hollywood If you find yourself arrested for a DUI in Hollywood, it’s crucial to act swiftly by scheduling a DMV hearing without delay. Failure to do so will likely result in an automatic suspension of your driver’s license, which is definitely not what you want. But worry not, because here at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we have a team of skilled DUI lawyers who specialize in handling these hearings. We’ll take charge of the hearing request on your behalf and gather all the necessary evidence required by the DMV for the proceedings. When the DMV hearing takes place, we’ll go head-to-head with the evidence presented and make a strong argument against the grounds the DMV has for suspending your license. We have extensive experience in conducting DMV hearings in Hollywood, and our track record speaks for itself – we have consistently fought for our clients’ rights and achieved favorable outcomes. Dealing with the DMV can be challenging, no doubt about it. However, our team boasts one of the highest success rates in the industry when it comes to winning these hearings. So, if you’re facing a DMV hearing following a DUI arrest in Hollywood, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’re here to provide the assistance you need and fight for your rights. Criminal Case in Hollywood You are currently facing two legal challenges. Firstly, there is an ongoing case against you by the DMV. Additionally, you will have to confront a criminal case due to the DUI charges. Although DUI charges are typically categorized as misdemeanors, their consequences are significant and can have a major impact on your life. This is why it is crucial to have the assistance of a skilled DUI attorney in Hollywood. They will help you build a strong defense and safeguard your livelihood. As reputable DUI attorneys in Hollywood, we recognize the importance of thoroughly examining each piece of evidence presented by the State. We strategically devise plans to challenge the DMV’s case against you. Our primary objective is to protect your driver’s license and ensure that you receive the best possible defense. DUI Penalties in Hollywood When charged with a first-time DUI offense , the most severe outcome could result in a maximum jail term of 180 days. However, our team of DUI defense experts has never encountered a client who received the harshest sentence. It’s worth noting that the penalties for a first-time DUI offense vary considerably depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Possible repercussions include probation lasting from 1 to 5 years, completion of a DUI program spanning 12 hours to 30 months, community service or labor, substantial fines, potential incarceration, work release, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, and suspension of driving privileges. It’s essential to understand that penalties can escalate significantly if aggravating factors are present. These factors encompass having a high blood alcohol concentration during the arrest, involvement in a traffic accident, prior DUI convictions on your record, and the level of cooperation demonstrated with law enforcement before and after the arrest. These elements play a crucial role in determining the severity of the consequences you may potentially face. Hollywood DUI School and Alcohol Programs If you find yourself in the situation of being caught driving under the influence for the first time, it’s important to be aware that attending alcohol classes may become a requirement, typically lasting anywhere from 3 to 9 months. Should a similar incident occur again, the duration of these classes will likely be extended significantly. Dealing with such circumstances can be overwhelming and confusing, but the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin are here to assist you. We understand that you may feel uncertain about what is expected of you, and we aim to provide guidance throughout the process, taking it one step at a time. Our primary objective is to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the obligations imposed on you and how we can support you. Furthermore, we offer assistance to individuals who reside out of state and are facing a DUI charge. Navigating the process in these cases can be challenging due to the variations in DUI classes across different states. However, our team has expertise in dealing with such scenarios, enabling us to help you with confidence throughout the entire process. The Cost of a DUI in Hollywood As an accomplished DUI attorney based in Hollywood, I frequently receive inquiries from clients who are understandably overwhelmed by the abundance of information they come across online regarding DUI charges. However, it’s important to clarify that the misconception of facing fines exceeding $20,000 is often unfounded. At our firm, we have the expertise to minimize court costs, even in the most challenging cases, alleviating financial stress for our clients. In situations where complete dismissal of charges is not possible, we can usually negotiate fines down to approximately $2,000 (or lower) and provide flexible payment plans to ease the burden. One of our primary objectives at our law firm is to develop innovative strategies to help clients completely eliminate fines, especially when financial hardship is a concern. We understand that DUI offenders are obligated to pay for costly DUI programs and classes. To alleviate this financial strain, we vigorously fight the charges, aiming to limit or even waive these expenses altogether, saving our clients from the need to undergo lengthy classes. Furthermore, in addition to court fees and program costs, those convicted of DUI offenses often face substantial increases in their insurance premiums, adding further financial strain. Fortunately, our experienced DUI attorneys have cultivated strong relationships with reputabl Walnut Creek DUI Lawyer | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Walnut Creek DUI Lawyer Walnut Creek DUI cases are handled in Martinez, prosecuted by Contra Costa County’s District Attorney’s office, and managed by judges who see these cases regularly. That familiarity cuts both ways. It means the prosecution knows what they’re doing, and it means the details of how your case is handled matter more than people expect. Hart Levin spent years as a Deputy District Attorney prosecuting criminal cases in this system. He didn’t learn how Contra Costa prosecutors think from the outside, he was a prosecutor himself. That background is the foundation of how we approach every DUI case we take. Call The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin for a consultation. Two Cases, Two Deadlines A DUI arrest in Walnut Creek triggers two separate legal processes running at the same time. Most people focus on the criminal case, understandably, but the DMV side can hit first and harder if it’s ignored. The DMV Hearing – You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative Per Se hearing. That hearing is your chance to challenge the license suspension before it becomes automatic. Miss the deadline and the suspension locks in at 30 days after arrest, with no opportunity to contest it on the merits. When we take a case, we request this hearing immediately and seek a stay on any suspension so you can keep driving while the defense is being built. The Criminal Case – Most Walnut Creek DUI cases are heard at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse or the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. This is where the DA will push for a conviction, and where the difference between a skilled negotiation and a standard defense shows up most clearly. Our firm has a strong history and relationships with the local prosecutors and the judges in that system. That familiarity shapes how we approach negotiations and what arguments are worth making. Types of DUI Cases We Handle in Walnut Creek First-Time DUI – A first arrest doesn’t have to mean a permanent record. We look at every option, including reduction to a wet reckless or outright dismissal, before accepting any outcome. Multiple Offense DUI – California’s 10-year lookback period means prior convictions can follow you into a new case and escalate the penalties significantly. Second and third offense cases need more aggressive handling from the start. Underage DUI – California’s zero tolerance standard applies at 0.01% BAC for drivers under 21. The consequences can reach into employment and education in ways that last well past the case itself. Felony DUI – Cases involving injury, death, a prior felony DUI conviction, or a fourth offense within ten years are prosecuted seriously and require trial-ready defense. Hart has the preliminary hearing and jury trial experience these cases demand. How We Fight DUI Charges A breath test result or a police report isn’t the end of the analysis, it’s the beginning. DUI cases are built on a chain of evidence, and that chain has requirements at every link. When those requirements aren’t met, evidence can be challenged, suppressed, or reframed entirely. The Traffic Stop – Everything that follows depends on whether the officer had lawful grounds to pull you over in the first place. We review dashcam and bodycam footage to assess whether the stop holds up. If it doesn’t, the evidence gathered afterward may be suppressible. Breathalyzer Reliability – Breath testing devices require regular calibration and a strict 15-minute observation period before use. We pull the maintenance and calibration logs for the specific device used in your arrest. Gaps or failures in that record can undermine the result. Rising BAC – Alcohol absorbs into the bloodstream over time. Depending on when you last drank and when you were tested, your BAC at the time of driving may have been below the legal limit, only reaching or exceeding 0.08% by the time you were tested at the station. We use toxicology to assess whether this argument applies to your case. Field Sobriety Tests – These tests are subjective by design, and the conditions under which they’re administered affect the results. Uneven pavement, poor lighting, nerves, and certain medical conditions can all produce a “failure” that has nothing to do with impairment. Blood Draw Results – Chain of custody, storage conditions, and lab procedures all matter. Improper storage can cause fermentation, which falsely elevates BAC readings. Contamination and handling errors are real and documentable. Common Questions What makes a DUI a felony in Walnut Creek? Three main situations: the incident involved injury or death to another person, you have a prior felony DUI conviction on your record, or this is your fourth DUI within a ten-year window. Can I still drive to work after a DUI arrest? Yes, at least initially. The pink slip you received at arrest acts as a 30-day temporary license. If we request a DMV hearing within 10 days and secure a stay, you can typically continue driving while the case is being resolved. A restricted license for work-related driving is often achievable even in cases where the suspension can’t be avoided entirely. What is a wet reckless, and is it worth pursuing? A wet reckless is a reduced charge — reckless driving with a note of alcohol involvement — that carries fewer penalties and no mandatory court-imposed license suspension. It’s not always available, but our firm’s experience on the prosecution side means we know what evidence the DA needs to see before they’ll consider it, and how to present your case in a way that makes that conversation possible. Get in Touch with Hart Levin Today The first ten days after a DUI arrest in Walnut Creek are the most consequential. The DMV clock is already running. Call The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin for a consultation. Former prosecutor. Local experience. Trial-ready when it matters. Trust the Best DUI Lawyer on the West Coast. Contact the Law Office of Hart J. Levin. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp Scroll to Top Santa Clara County DUI Lawyer | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Santa Clara County DUI Lawyer A DUI arrest in Santa Clara County can affect far more than your driver’s license. For many people in the South Bay, including engineers, healthcare workers, tech professionals, and anyone with a professional license or security clearance, a criminal conviction can impact their career long after the case is over. Hart Levin is a former Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted thousands of criminal cases before moving to defense work. He knows how Santa Clara County prosecutors approach DUI cases because he’s built those cases himself. That background changes how we prepare, how we negotiate, and what we’re willing to push back on. Call The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin for a consultation. The DMV Deadline Comes First Before your first court date, before your arraignment, and before almost anything else happens in the process, the DMV clock is already running. California law gives you 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative Per Se hearing. That hearing is your opportunity to challenge the license suspension independently of what happens in court. Miss the deadline and the suspension becomes automatic at 30 days, with no chance to contest it. When we take a case, we request that hearing immediately and subpoena the police records and the breathalyzer maintenance logs before anyone else has a chance to clean up the paper trail. We also seek a stay on the suspension so you can keep driving while the defense develops. The DMV side of a DUI case is often treated as secondary and it shouldn’t be. Why Hart's Background Matters Here Santa Clara County’s District Attorney’s Office has its own tendencies, including how prosecutors evaluate certain evidence, when they are willing to negotiate, and which defense arguments are more likely to gain traction. Our team understands those patterns from the inside. We are not guessing about how the other side thinks. Hart spent years thinking that way himself. That matters most in two places: early negotiations, where knowing what a DA actually needs to reduce or dismiss a charge can shape how you present your case from the start, and at trial, where understanding how the prosecution builds their argument tells you exactly where to apply pressure. Hart has handled hundreds of preliminary hearings and taken numerous cases to jury trial. He has also served as a legal consultant for NBC and FOX. While that does not win cases on its own, it reflects the level of skill and experience his work has earned. He graduated with honors from both UC Berkeley and Loyola Law School. Cases We Handle in Santa Clara County First-Time DUI — a single arrest shouldn’t produce a permanent record. We look at every option, including reduction to a wet reckless or full dismissal, before accepting any result. High-BAC Cases — when the BAC reading is elevated, the defense often turns on the science of how alcohol absorbs into the bloodstream. Depending on when you last drank and when you were tested, your BAC at the time of driving may have been different from what the test showed at the station. We assess whether a rising BAC argument applies and build the toxicology to support it. Commercial Drivers (CDL Holders) — the legal threshold for commercial drivers is 0.04%, half the standard limit. A conviction or even a suspension can end a career. These cases need a technical defense that takes the CDL consequences seriously from the beginning. Felony DUI and Injury Cases — when an accident has resulted in injury, death, or when prior convictions elevate the charge to a felony, the stakes are different. Hart’s trial experience is what matters most in these situations. Professional license and security clearance defense — for engineers, doctors, executives, and government contractors, the question isn’t just whether you keep your license to drive. It’s whether you keep your license to work. We handle these cases with that full picture in mind. Underage DUI — California’s zero tolerance standard sets the threshold at 0.01% for drivers under 21. The consequences can affect college enrollment, financial aid, and employment long after the case closes. How We Fight DUI Charges A breath test or police report is only the starting point, not the end of the analysis. Every stage of a DUI investigation must follow specific legal and procedural requirements, from the initial traffic stop to field sobriety testing, breath testing, and blood collection. When those rules are not followed, the evidence may be challenged and, in some cases, excluded. The traffic stop — if the officer didn’t have lawful grounds to pull you over, anything gathered afterward may be suppressible. We review dashcam and bodycam footage carefully before drawing any conclusions about the stop. Breathalyzer results — these devices require regular calibration and a strict 15-minute observation period before use. We subpoena the maintenance logs for the specific machine used in your arrest. A device that wasn’t properly maintained or calibrated produces results that can’t be relied upon. Rising BAC — alcohol absorption is a process, not an event. Depending on the timing, a driver’s BAC can be below the legal limit at the wheel and above it an hour later at the station. We use toxicology to assess whether this applies to your case. Field sobriety tests — these tests are subjective, and the conditions matter. Poor lighting, uneven pavement, nerves, fatigue, and certain medical conditions can all produce results that look like impairment when they aren’t. Blood draw chain of custody — improper storage, handling errors, and fermentation can all affect a blood sample’s BAC reading. We trace the sample from draw to lab result and look for breaks in the process. Common Questions Can I beat a DUI if my BAC was over 0.08%? Yes. A BAC reading isn’t automatically dispositive. Calibration problems, chain of custody issues, timing of the test, and rising BAC arguments can all put the reliability of the result in question. We evaluate which of these applies and build accordingly. Will a DUI affect my job in the tech sector? It depends on your employer, your role, and how the case is resolved. Many Silicon Valley employers have policies regarding criminal convictions. A dismissal or a reduction to a non-DUI offense, such as a wet reckless, can make a meaningful difference in how a background check appears. That is one of the outcomes we work hard to pursue. Do I have to appear in court for every hearing? In most misdemeanor cases, Hart can appear on your behalf. You don’t have to miss work or walk into a courtroom while the case is being handled. Talk to Hart Levin Today The decisions made in the first week after a DUI arrest shape how the rest of the case unfolds. The DMV clock is already running. Call (408) 579-1500 for a consultation. Former prosecutor. South Bay experience. Ready for trial when it matters. Trust the Best DUI Lawyer on the West Coast. Contact the Law Office of Hart J. Levin. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 3 First Offense DUI Lawyer Los Angeles | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Practice Areas - DUI Laws Los Angeles - First Time DUI in Los Angeles First DUI in Los Angeles Being arrested for DUI is a frightening experience. The consequences of a DUI conviction can be severe and can have a lifelong impact. If you are arrested for DUI in Los Angeles, it is critical to find a top-level DUI attorney because the local prosecutors in Los Angeles are known to be especially aggressive on DUI cases. Here is What to Expect: A first-time DUI is a criminal charge typically classified as a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum jail sentence of 180 days. CA state law defines a DUI as operating any motorized vehicle, no matter the distance (could even be one foot), with a BAC of .08% or higher, or while impaired from a combination of drugs and alcohol, even if the BAC is under .08%. As expert Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers, we defend against all forms of DUI, including biking and boating under the influence. If you are arrested for a first offense DUI in Los Angeles, you will have two separate cases: a DMV administrative case and a criminal court case. These cases are completely independent of each other and a ruling in one may not impact the outcome of the other. For example, even if the court drops or reduces or dismisses the charge, the DMV may still suspend your driver’s license. Conversely, the DMV may not suspend your license while the court still presses DUI charges against you. Expect the court case to start around three months after the arrest and last for approximately six months, depending on the court location. Each court has very unique protocols and procedures and it is critical to hire an attorney who knows the ins and outs of each particular courthouse and judge. The DMV countdown starts immediately after the arrest and can result in a license suspension ranging from 4 months to 1 year. As your DUI defense attorney, we will represent you in court for the many court hearings, and you generally do not need to attend. During the court case, we gather all evidence and discovery to challenge the charges in an attempt to get the charges dismissed or reduced to a non-DUI offense. This process can take several months, as the prosecution is under no obligation to collect evidence that may help your case quickly. There is also a heavy backlog of cases so the DAs office is notoriously slow in turning over additional evidence (things like dashcam video, 911 recordings, etc). The first step in a DUI court case is the “arraignment,” where the court asks for a plea of guilty or not guilty. At this stage, a “not guilty” plea is generally entered to allow time to challenge the case and to achieve the best possible outcome. Pleading guilty at the first hearing would limit access to all the necessary evidence that could be crucial in determining the outcome of a DUI case and is almost always a very dangerous strategy. After entering a not guilty plea, all available evidence and discovery is requested, including breath machine calibration logs, audio/video recordings, dashcams and surveillance videos. A follow-up court hearing is then set usually 6-8 weeks after the arraignment. The second hearing, typically known as a “pretrial conference,” is an opportunity to meet with the judge and prosecutor and to discuss any issues with the case. Motions, such as retesting blood or suppressing evidence, are generally addressed at this stage of the case. The case does not usually resolve during the second hearing and a follow-up date is usually set about a month or two later. In subsequent hearings, we challenge all aspects of the case, begin negotiations with the judge and prosecutor, and present favorable evidence for a better outcome. In a final court hearing, a plea, dismissal, or jury trial is typically conducted. However, many DUI cases do not reach a jury trial. If a case has a strong defense and a jury trial is the best strategy decision for our client, we utilize unmatched experience and expertise to defend our clients in jury trials, with an excellent track record of victories. Some of our jury trial victories have been featured on NBC and CBS. The DMV License Suspension Hearing - APS Hearing If you are arrested for DUI, the police will usually take your California driver’s license and give you a 30-day temporary “admin per se” pink license. This temporary license only allows you to drive for 30 days and will lead to automatic suspension unless we immediately request to challenge the DMV in an administrative hearing. Upon agreeing to take your case, we quickly reach out to the DMV to request a hearing to challenge the case. This must occur within 10 calendar days of the arrest, or the suspension will start automatically. As DUI experts, we strategically time the scheduling of your hearing to maximize your time to drive and to limit any suspension time. We request and utilize all police reports, audio/video, and other available evidence in the hearing. We conduct DMV hearings on behalf of clients so they typically are not required to appear unless necessary for strategic reasons. During the hearing, we scrutinize every aspect of the case, including the validity of the vehicle stop, alcohol level, and proper handling of the DUI investigation according to law. At our firm, we assist clients in navigating the complicated process of getting their license reinstated after it has been suspended by the DMV. Time is of the essence in these cases and immediate action is crucial. We handle everything for you from start to finish, ensuring a smooth and speedy resolution to protect your driving privileges. First Offense DUI Penalties Underage DUIs occur often and frequently the young driver has a BAC level of .08% and higher. The court will use the same penalties as they do with a driver who is 21 or older except there are harsher penalties with the underage DUI driver’s license. -Up to six months in jail (unlikely to occur in most cases) -Community labor and/or community service (also known as CalTrans) -Massive fines ranging from $2000 to approximately $20,000 -DUI classes ranging in length from three, six, to nine months (known as AB 541, AB 762, AB 1353). -Informal probation (typically three years) -License suspension -Ignition interlock device – A breathalyzer in your car -MADD meeting -Visiting the Hospital and Morgue (HAM) -Weekly AA meetings and more First Offense DUI Probation First-time DUI probation in Los Angeles is not formal probation like traditional probation. Formal probation requires strict monitoring by a probation officer, while informal DUI probation has no direct supervision, reporting requirements, travel restrictions, drug/alcohol testing, or search and seizure conditions. Informal probation requires: -Do not drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in your blood (even .01% BAC is unlawful) -You must agree to take a breath test when asked to do so by any peace officer -You must obey all laws A probation violation occurs if you break the terms of your probation, such getting a new arrest or picking up a new criminal charge. The court will then issue a bench warrant and schedule a court hearing, typically ordering you to personally appear. During the hearing, the judge may impose further penalties, ranging from attending AA meetings to serving the maximum jail sentence of six months. Factors That Can Impact Firs Palmdale DUI Lawyer | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Palmdale DUI Attorney: Get the Urgent Help You Need Welcome to the esteemed Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , where we take immense pride in our well-deserved recognition as the foremost DUI attorneys in Palmdale. Our team of highly skilled lawyers brings a wealth of experience to the table, consistently delivering exceptional representation to clients grappling with DUI charges in Palmdale and its neighboring areas. With our specialized focus on DUI cases, we possess a profound understanding of the intricacies involved, enabling us to meticulously examine evidence, construct formidable defense strategies, and passionately advocate for our clients’ best interests. Rest assured, your case will receive the utmost attention and dedication from our team as we strive to secure the most favorable outcome on your behalf. What Happens When You Get a DUI in Palmdale? If you happen to find yourself being apprehended for a DUI while driving in Palmdale, prepare yourself for some significant legal ramifications. Once you’re taken into custody, the law enforcement agency making the arrest will take away your driver’s license and issue you a temporary one, marking just the start of your troubles. In the aftermath, you’ll be confronted with two distinct legal proceedings resulting from your DUI arrest. The initial case will be instigated by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which will conduct an investigation to determine whether your driving privileges should be suspended. Simultaneously, the second case will be initiated by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the Antelope Valley criminal court, charging you with a misdemeanor offense. DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in Palmdale Once you find yourself facing DUI charges, it’s vital to take immediate action and ensure that you secure a DMV hearing . Neglecting this step could lead to the unexpected suspension of your driver’s license. However, there’s no need to worry because our team of proficient and knowledgeable DUI attorneys in Palmdale is here to support you through this difficult time. We will take care of all the required procedures to request a hearing and gather the crucial evidence for the DMV review. When the hearing comes around, we will stand up for you and question the DMV’s choice to suspend your license by disputing the evidence they put forward. Here at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we pride ourselves on our exceptional history of effectively managing a multitude of DMV hearings and assisting countless clients in keeping their driving privileges intact. We recognize the overwhelming nature of the DMV procedure, but we genuinely believe in our capacity to provide you with unwavering support. Allow us to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to safeguarding your driving rights and pursuing a positive outcome for your case. Criminal Case in Palmdale When confronted with a DUI accusation, it’s important to remember that it involves more than just handling administrative processes with the DMV. Alongside potential consequences in terms of criminal charges, it’s vital to approach the situation with utmost seriousness. To maximize your ability to effectively combat the case and protect your professional future, it becomes crucial to have the support of an experienced DUI attorney in Palmdale by your side. That’s where our team takes over. Our group of esteemed DUI attorneys has built a solid standing in Palmdale thanks to our exceptional skills in handling such cases. With each situation that comes our way, we delve into it with great care, carefully scrutinizing the evidence put forth by the State and crafting a targeted defense against the DMV’s arguments. Our main objective is to safeguard your driving privileges while relentlessly striving to achieve the most favorable resolution for your unique circumstances. DUI Penalties in Palmdale If you ever happen to find yourself in the unfortunate position of facing charges for a first-time DUI offense , it’s completely understandable to feel anxious about the possible outcomes. While the law states that the maximum penalty for such an offense is 180 days in jail, it’s crucial to understand that, as experienced legal experts specializing in DUI defense, we have never witnessed a client receiving such a harsh punishment for their first offense. It’s important to understand that when someone is found guilty of DUI, there’s a wide spectrum of possible consequences that may be imposed. These consequences encompass a variety of penalties, such as informal probation lasting up to five years, mandatory participation in a DUI program that can range from 12 hours to 30 months, community service or labor, hefty fines, potential jail time, work release, installation of an ignition interlock device, and even the suspension of driving privileges. It’s important to understand that the seriousness of these penalties can be greatly affected by different aggravating circumstances. These circumstances could involve having a high level of alcohol in your blood while driving, being in a traffic accident, having previous DUI convictions , or not cooperating with law enforcement. That’s why it’s crucial to seek help from a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney if you find yourself charged with a DUI. They can offer valuable advice on the potential outcomes and work tirelessly to reduce the impact of any aggravating factors in your situation. Palmdale DUI School and Alcohol Programs At Hart J. Levin Law Firm, we understand that dealing with the complexities of the legal system can feel overwhelming and take a toll on your emotions, particularly when you’re confronted with a DUI charge. If you’re finding yourself in this predicament for the first time, the court may require you to attend alcohol education courses, which can span from 3 to 9 months. However, for individuals with multiple offenses, the length of these courses extends considerably. At our core is the unwavering commitment to supporting our clients throughout the entire process. We genuinely empathize with the daunting path you’re embarking upon in the legal realm, and we’re here to lend a helping hand. Our utmost priority is to provide you with a thorough grasp of the intricacies of your sentence, presenting it in a straightforward and easily understandable manner. This clarity will empower you to fully comprehend your responsibilities and obligations. Furthermore, we gladly cater to clients residing outside our state, fully aware of the notable differences in DUI class requirements across different states. You can be confident that we are committed to understanding your specific situation and finding the best possible solution. With our extensive knowledge and unwavering support, we strive to achieve the most favorable outcome on your behalf. The Cost of a DUI in Palmdale We recognize the overwhelming and scary feeling that comes with seeking information about DUIs in Palmdale. The vast expanse of the internet often presents misleading details, including claims of astonishing fines exceeding $20,000. As seasoned DUI defense lawyers in Palmdale, we want to ease your worries by assuring you that these assertions are completely false. With our team’s extensive knowledge and skillset, we are well-equipped to mi Santa Clarita DUI Attorney | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Top-Rated Santa Clarita DUI Attorney Helps You Fight DUI Charges At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , we have established ourselves as the go-to DUI defense attorneys in Santa Clarita. As seasoned DUI lawyers with a track record of success, our team has represented countless clients facing DUI charges in the area. Our dedicated attorneys are equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary to examine every detail of the evidence, craft a compelling defense strategy, and fight tirelessly to secure the best possible result for our clients. What Happens When You Get a DUI in Santa Clarita? If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being arrested for a DUI in Santa Clarita, it’s important to understand the potential consequences. As soon as you’re taken into custody, your driver’s license will be taken away, and you’ll be given a temporary one instead. It’s worth noting that your case will be handled in two different ways. Firstly, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin their own investigation to decide whether or not your driving privileges should be suspended. Secondly, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (where I previously worked as a Deputy District Attorney) will bring criminal charges against you for the misdemeanor offense. DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in Santa Clarita When you get arrested for DUI in Santa Clarita, it’s absolutely critical to schedule a DMV hearing right away. Otherwise, your driver’s license will likely be suspended automatically. Luckily, our team of experienced DUI lawyers at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin can handle the hearing request for you and gather all the evidence that the DMV will use during the proceedings. During the DMV hearing, we will challenge the evidence and argue that the DMV doesn’t have enough grounds to suspend your license. We’ve conducted countless DMV hearings in Santa Clarita and have a strong track record of success in fighting for our clients’ rights. While the DMV can be tough to deal with, our team has some of the highest success rates in the industry when it comes to winning these hearings. So if you’re facing a DMV hearing after a DUI arrest in Santa Clarita, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. Criminal Case in Santa Clarita Aside from the ongoing case against you by the DMV, you’ll also have to deal with a criminal case because of the DUI charges. Usually, DUI charges are considered misdemeanors, but they still carry serious consequences that can impact your life significantly. That’s why having the help of an experienced DUI attorney in Santa Clarita is crucial in making sure you can defend yourself strongly and protect your livelihood. As highly respected DUI attorneys in Santa Clarita, we understand the importance of analyzing every piece of evidence that the State presents, and we carefully strategize on how to challenge the DMV’s case against you. Our goal is to preserve your license and ensure that you have the best possible defense. DUI Penalties in Santa Clarita If you’re convicted of a DUI for the first time , the worst-case scenario is that you may be sentenced to up to 180 days in jail. However, our team of experts who specialize in DUI defense cases have never had a client receive the maximum sentence. That being said, the penalties for a first-time DUI offense can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Some of the possible consequences include probation for a period of 1 to 5 years, completing a DUI program that can range from 12 hours to 30 months, community service or labor, hefty fines, possible jail time, work release, having to install an ignition interlock device, and suspension of your driving privileges. It’s important to keep in mind that penalties can be increased significantly if certain aggravating factors are present. Some of these factors include having a high blood alcohol concentration at the time of the arrest, being involved in a traffic accident, having prior DUI convictions on your record, and the level of cooperation you show with law enforcement before and after being arrested. These factors can greatly impact the severity of the consequences that you may face. Santa Clarita DUI School and Alcohol Programs If you’re caught driving under the influence for the first time, you may be required to attend alcohol classes for anywhere from 3 to 9 months. And if it happens again, the classes will likely be significantly longer. It can all feel very overwhelming and confusing, but that’s where the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin come in. We understand that you may not know what’s expected of you, and we’re here to guide you through the process one step at a time. Our goal is to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what’s required of you and how we can assist you. Additionally, we offer assistance to clients who live out of state and are facing a DUI charge. It can be difficult to navigate the process in these situations because each state has its own set of DUI classes, and they can differ greatly. However, we have experience dealing with these scenarios and can help you through it all with ease. The Cost of a DUI in Santa Clarita As a skilled DUI attorney in Santa Clarita, I receive numerous inquiries from clients who are understandably overwhelmed by the amount of information they find online about DUI charges . Unfortunately, many people have the misconception that they will face fines exceeding $20,000, which is often not the case. Thankfully, with our expertise, we are able to minimize court costs even in the most challenging cases. In the event that we cannot have the charges dismissed entirely, we can usually reduce fines to around $2,000 and offer payment plans to alleviate financial stress. At our law firm, we have innovative strategies to help our clients eliminate fines altogether, particularly when financial hardship is a concern. We also understand that DUI offenders are required to pay for DUI programs and classes, which can be quite costly. To minimize these expenses for our clients, we work hard to limit or even waive these costs entirely by fighting the charges and preventing the need for lengthy classes. In addition to court fees and program costs, those convicted of DUI offenses may face significant increases in their insurance premiums, causing a heavy financial burden. Fortunately, our experienced DUI attorneys have established relationships with reputable insurance providers who offer our clients special pricing to avoid these costs. We understand that many clients come to us seeking to minimize the financial impact of DUI charges. Therefore, we strive to help our clients avoid heavy fines and other penalties by working diligently to achieve the best possible outcome. Ultimately, our goal is to assist our clients in moving on from this event and reducing its impact on their lives. As top-tier DUI lawyers in Santa Clarita, we prioritize your needs and work tirelessly to help you achieve the very best possible outcome. Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue DUI Hit and Run Defense Attorney Los Angeles | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Practice Areas - DUI Laws Los Angeles - Charges for a DUI with Hit and Run in California Charges for a DUI with Hit and Run in California Under California law, both DUI and Hit-and-Run are serious offenses. While either crime alone can lead to serious consequences, a driver charged with DUI and Hit-and-Run needs the help of California’s most experienced, knowledgeable, and aggressive DUI defense lawyers . Even a first-offense DUI conviction can cause life-changing fallout. Misdemeanor DUI convictions carry expensive fines, license suspension, years-long probation, and up to six months in jail. Hit-and-Run, or leaving the scene of an accident, is another offense with misdemeanor penalties that include fines, long periods of probation, and jail terms of up to six months. But convictions involving DUI Hit-and-Run accidents causing serious injuries can lead to years in California state prison. When a driver is involved in an accident while they are driving under the influence and then leaves the scene of the accident before identifying themselves, the criminal penalties are greatly enhanced. And those penalties continue to escalate if additional aggravating facts are included in the case. – DUI with an accident in which someone other than the driver is injured can mean a mandatory minimum 5-day jail term. – DUI with an accident causing serious injury to someone other than the driver can result in a sentence of up to 5 years in state prison (per seriously injured victim) if the State obtains a conviction. – A DUI accident causing someone’s death, DUI Manslaughter, can lead to six years in state prison or more. – And Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated can bring a convicted driver’s prison sentence of up to 10 years. How Is a California DUI Hit-and-Run Defined? A DUI Hit-and-Run combines two separate offenses, each with its own penalties. But when charged together, the stakes get higher quickly, especially when someone other than the driver is seriously injured or killed. To convict a driver of DUI under California law , the state must prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt: – The accused was “driving” a motor vehicle, and – When driving the vehicle, the driver a) had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or b) when alcohol or drugs cause their physical or mental abilities to be impaired to the extent that they can no longer drive as safely as a cautious sober person. To convict a driver of a Hit-and-Run , California law requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt of the following facts: – You were driving and were involved in an accident, and – The accident caused damage to property, and – You knew or reasonably should have known the accident caused damage, – You willfully failed to stop or exchange identification information. California Hit-and-Run Accidents with Serious Injury or Death Leaving the scene of an accident (Hit-and-Run) is a criminal offense for a number of reasons. Two primary reasons include ensuring drivers face up to their financial responsibility and requiring drivers to render aid or call for emergency medical care for anyone injured in the accident. Unfortunately, after DUI accidents, many impaired drivers suddenly realize they made a very serious mistake. Fearing the consequences of a DUI conviction, many leave the accident scene. But frequently, a person injured in a vehicle accident desperately needs immediate medical treatment. When drivers leave the scene, seriously injured accident victims sometimes die for lack of first aid, CPR, or other lifesaving care. These considerations usually motivate prosecutors to commit an extraordinary effort to convict defendants charged with DUI Hit-and-Run. Some Examples of a DUI Hit-and-Run? A DUI Hit-and-Run charge can result whenever a driver under the influence fails to stop after an accident involving even slight property damage. Examples of how this can happen are easy to describe: – It’s nighttime. You’re coming from a party where you had five or six drinks over two and a half hours. You feel a real buzz, but you think you’re ok to drive. You decide to take the back roads, just in case. You round a corner too widely and hit a parked car. No one sees you. In a panic, you drive away. But someone did see you and reported your license plate to the police. The police pull you over about a quarter-mile away. – Same scenario as the paragraph above, except it’s later afternoon and you know you’re late getting home. You take the freeway and feel free to drive faster than usual. You’re passing cars shifting between lanes as you go. As you move to the right-hand lane to pass a car, you don’t see a young man changing a tire in the breakdown lane. You hear a thud and feel the car shutter, but you keep going. You’re curious about the noise, but you don’t stop. Two miles up the road a highway patrol cruiser pulls you over. At the police station, you learn the young man is dead. – Other examples happen every day. It can happen to anyone who mixes too much alcohol or other ability-impairing substances with driving. People of all descriptions face criminal charges following accidents after drinking enough to impair their driving skills to a degree that renders them unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. DUI with Hit and Run Penalties in California Penalties in California in cases of DUI Hit-and-Run include a wide range of possibilities because each of the offenses carries minimum fines , potential jail sentences, license suspensions, and years of probation. But a DUI Hit-and-Run case in which someone is killed, and the driver has a previous DUI and was driving recklessly in the current accident, might lead to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, aggravated by leaving the scene. Such a scenario could threaten the driver with decades in prison. Keeping in mind the potential for serious enhancements and related criminal charges in more serious cases, more usual cases carry the following penalties: – $1,000 to $20,000 in fines depending on whether any of the following circumstances are involved 1. BAC over 0.08 or 0.2, refusal to submit to chemical testing 2. child in the car, 3. property damage, 4. serious personal injury or death of another person 5. 1st offense or subsequent offense 6. prior criminal record – Up to 6 months in jail if the accident only involved property damage (misdemeanor hit and run) – Between 3 and 5 years probation – Up to 1 year in jail if the accident caused a minor injury – Between 2 and 4 years in state prison (if the accident caused a serious injury or death) – Up to between 1 and 3 years license suspension California’s Premiere DUI Hit and Run Defense Lawyer If you are charged with a DUI Hit-and-Run in California, you avoid the harshest penalties by utilizing a skilled DUI and hit and run defense attorney. Hart Levin and his expert team have earned statewide recognition as the premiere DUI defense team in California by trying and winning many DUI and Hit-and-Run cases. We have become the gold standard for DUI defense in LA County and beyond. What Can The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin Do for You? If you are charged with DUI, Hit-and-Run, or both DUI and Hit-and-Run, you need to be represented by one of the most experienced DUI defense lawye Meet Our Experienced Attorneys - Hart Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Attorney Profiles Attorney Profiles - Hart Levin Hart Levin Hart graduated from UC Berkeley at the top of his class, where he received his Bachelor of Arts with Honors. He attended Loyola Law School where he also graduated with Honors. Hart Levin began his career working as an associate at a prominent civil law firm in Westwood, CA, McNicholas & McNicholas LLP, where he worked complex civil cases and large class action suits. Hart went on to become a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles where he prosecuted thousands of criminal cases including: DUI , vehicular manslaughter, sex crimes, domestic violence, gang crimes, murder and attempted murder, assaults, weapons violations, narcotic trafficking and sales, fraud, embezzlement, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, organized crimes, crimes against peace officers, and hate crimes. Hart has conducted over seven hundred preliminary hearings, handled thousands of misdemeanor cases, adjudicated matters in juvenile court, and personally has taken numerous felony and misdemeanor matters to jury trial achieving outstanding results. He is a certified specialist in mediation and dispute resolution. He is an onset advisor and a consultant for television dramas on the FOX Network , NBC , and Warner Bros , and has been an onset advisor for Jimmy Smits on NBC’s courtroom drama, Outlaw. Hart lives in Santa Monica, CA, with his family, where he was born and raised. Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Add Hart Levin – DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Request a Consultation Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name (Required) First Last Email (Required) Phone (Required) Message (Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form landingPage This field is hidden when viewing the form referrerPage Δ Testimonials Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp Scroll to Top Underage DUI Lawyer Los Angeles | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Practice Areas - DUI Laws Los Angeles - Los Angeles Underage DUI Lawyer Los Angeles Underage DUI Lawyer We are Los Angeles underage DUI lawyers at the Law Firm of Hart J. Levin, and we know that being under the age of 21 and drinking and driving is a deadly combination. Young drivers typically aren’t familiar with assessing their impairment levels and think they are fine to drive even when they are legally impaired. This is why California and the nation treat underage DUIs so seriously and it’s important to understand what happens when you get a DUI in Los Angeles . The under-age 21 DUI laws are designed to deter drinking and driving among younger adults by imposing significant punishment in under 21 DUIs. The penalties can include up to two years of driver’s license suspension and even jail time. Judges typically look to teach young drivers with a DUI a harsh lesson by handing down severe punishment. California’s “Zero Tolerance” Law Any driver under the legal age of 21 cannot have any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood while driving a vehicle. Therefore, if an under 21 driver is pulled over even with .01% BAC, it is considered a DUI and will require severe consequences. For drivers aged 21 and above, the legal limit is .08%BAC, so it is technically legal to have a drink and then get behind the wheel. For under 21 drivers, even a single drink will cause them to be legally impaired and bring about a full DUI charge. What is An Underage DUI? An underage DUI refers to anyone being cited for DUI while under the age of 21. The driver does not need to be “impaired.” The driver only needs to show .01% BAC or higher to be charged with a DUI. A person cited for under 21 DUI faces punishment even more strict than for an over 21 DUI driver since the court is specifically looking to teach the young driver a tough lesson.  Underage DUIs do not require that the driver be impaired. Any measurable amount of alcohol (.01% BAC and above) will qualify as an underage DUI. If an underage driver suspected of DUI refuses to take a breath test, the result will be an automatic one-year hard driver’s license suspension, without the ability to drive to school or work. Underage DUI Penalties .05 BAC or Higher (Vehicle Code § 23140) Underage DUIs occur often and frequently the young driver has a BAC level of .08% and higher. The court will use the same penalties as they do with a driver who is 21 or older except there are harsher penalties with the underage DUI driver’s license.  The license suspension is a year from the DMV and a year from court, on top of all of the other court penalties which can include: probation, jail time, classes, fines, AA meetings, MADD meetings, Hospital and Morgue class, community labor, community service, etc.  For example, if an underage DUI driver gets arrested with a .12 BAC level, the court will consider them automatically “impaired” due to the alcohol level and will seek normal DUI penalties, plus additional penalties for being underage. .08 BAC or Higher (Vehicle Code § 23152) Underage DUIs occur often and frequently the young driver has a BAC level of .08% and higher. The court will use the same penalties as they do with a driver who is 21 or older except there are harsher penalties with the underage DUI driver’s license.  The license suspension is a year from the DMV and a year from court, on top of all of the other court penalties which can include: probation, jail time, classes, fines, AA meetings, MADD meetings, Hospital and Morgue class, community labor, community service, etc.  For example, if an underage DUI driver gets arrested with a .12 BAC level, the court will consider them automatically “impaired” due to the alcohol level and will seek normal DUI penalties, plus additional penalties for being underage. Possession of Alcohol by Person Under 21 (Vehicle Code § 23224) It is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in any vehicle even if the driver is age 21 and above. However, if a driver is underage, it is illegal to possess ANY alcohol in a vehicle, even if the alcohol is unopened and sealed. If the police pull an “underage” driver over and find alcohol, they will issue a citation for a misdemeanor.  This is a criminal charge that can permanently tarnish the underage driver’s record and they would need to disclose this as a criminal conviction on any application for work, for apartments, etc. The penalty for underage possession of alcohol in a vehicle can range from community service and labor all the way up to six months in jail. However, jail time is unlikely in such scenarios assuming the person has a clean record. Courts can also order fines and classes. Underage DUI Attorney Defenses While no one supports underage drinking and driving, there are several useful defenses that can be used to challenge the case and to protect the underage DUI driver’s record. One defense is challenging the reason for the police contact. The police must have valid probable cause to pull over a vehicle meaning the driver must have committed one or more vehicle code violations like speeding or failing to signal. If the reason for the stop is found invalid, the case can be dismissed.  Another method we use to successfully dismiss underage DUIs is to challenge the breath machine results. An underage driver suspected of DUI is required to blow into a PAS device (Preliminary Alcohol Screening device) which is a small breathalyzer officers generally have in the trunk of their patrol vehicle.  When we challenge underage DUIs, we specifically challenge the “PAS coordinator,” or the person who is required to oversee the maintenance of the machine. Oftentimes we find that the breath machines are not maintained properly and the case can be dismissed. Underage DUI Restricted License Options In general, any underage DUI driver found guilty by the DMV or court cannot get a license to drive for at least one full year. That means no driving to doctor’s appointments, school, work or anywhere else. While a restricted license is unavailable to underage DUI drivers, there is something called a “critical needs license” that many of our clients are able to get. A critical need license is the equivalent of a restricted license for an underage DUI driver. It allows travel to and from school, DUI classes and work. It is not an easy process to get a critical needs application approved, however. The DMV will require that the underage driver demonstrate that they have no other means of transportation and that the public transportation in their area is insufficient. Both the DMV and court have to independently find a “critical need” exists in order for the critical needs license to be granted. Contact Our Los Angeles Underage DUI Attorneys We specialize in handling DUI and underage DUI cases. The consequences for an underage DUI can have significant implications for an underage driver’s life and ability to drive. We have successfully handled over 250 underage DUIs and can prevent any criminal conviction in many cases. We can also guide you through the process of attempting to get a critical needs license so you can continue driving. If you find yourself in such a situation, call our Los Angeles DUI attorneys to discuss your options, free of charge. Contact Us Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-9 Beverly Hills DUI Attorney | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Beverly Hills DUI Attorney – Experienced Legal Help When It Matters Most Being arrested for a DUI in Beverly Hills is a serious legal problem—and how you respond can make all the difference in the impact the DUI has on your life. From the moment you’re pulled over, law enforcement (the Beverly Hills Police Department) is building a case against you. Without excellent legal representation, the consequences can be devastating for your life: jail time, a suspended license, freeway work (Cal Trans), community service, hefty fines, and long-term damage to your personal and professional reputation and ability to earn a living. At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , we understand what’s at stake when you are charged with a DUI in Beverly Hills. As a former Deputy District Attorney, Hart Levin and his expert team know both sides of the courtroom and use that unique experience to deliver the best strategic, aggressive DUI defense. We’ve helped many clients in Beverly Hills and throughout Los Angeles County, and we’re ready to help you protect your rights and your future. Arrested for DUI in Beverly Hills? Here’s What You Can Expect After a DUI arrest in Beverly Hills, most individuals are held in custody—even first-time offenders, at the Beverly Hills police department. The initial arrest can result in being held for up to 48 hours or more (or longer if a judge isn’t available, i.e. if you are arrested on a holiday or three day weekend). This initial 48-hour detention is presented as a public safety measure, but in reality, it often serves as a type of pretrial punishment. The truth is that most people are sober within just a few hours. A DUI arrestee may be released earlier than 48 hours depending on several factors, including the jail crowding and the person’s level of cooperation with the police. The police will go out of their way to punish people who are disrespectful or rude to them. Once released, you’ll be given a court date— at the Airport Courthouse. The Beverly Hills court house no longer handles misdemeanors or DUIs – those cases get sent to the LAX or Airport courthouse on La Cienega for the LA district attorney to prosecute. The Beverly Hills court only handles traffic tickets and civil matters for the most part. Appearing before a judge without legal representation at Airport court is risky. Judges may impose strict conditions or set high bail, especially if there are aggravating factors. This is a strict court, generally speaking. The best time to contact a DUI attorney is right after you are released from jail. The earlier we step in, the better your chances of reducing or avoiding charges, and also protect your drivers license. Beverly Hills DUI Cases Are Normally Heard At: Airport Court 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045 Don't Ignore the DMV Hearing Deadline Within 10 calendar days of your arrest (including the date of arrest), you must request a hearing with the California DMV to contest the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. Failing to act within that window of time means you’ll automatically lose your driving privileges—regardless of what happens in court. We handle this process for you, taking the guesswork out of the process, ensuring that it’s done right the first time – protecting you ability to drive. This administrative process is entirely separate from your criminal case in the Airport court. However, it’s still your first chance to push back against the allegations and challenge the evidence on the record. Our expert DUI legal team regularly represents clients in DMV hearings and challenges everything from the legality of the vehicle stop to the accuracy of the testing. Strategic DUI Defense for Beverly Hills Residents A DUI charge in Beverly Hills can feel overwhelming—but there are often more defense opportunities than you think. Our legal team thoroughly investigates every angle of your arrest and booking process, including whether the Beverly Hills PD followed correct DUI protocols and whether the evidence is actually admissible in court, or if it should be “suppressed” or excluded from your court case. Key elements we analyze include: Whether the traffic stop was legally justified. Was there adequate and legal probable cause? The law is constantly changing regarding what constitutes probable cause and it’s critical to have a lawyer with the most up to date expertise to challenge your DUI case in Airport court How field sobriety tests were conducted (Was the road flat or uneven?) If any dashcam or bodycam (known as “body worn” camera) footage supports or contradicts the officer’s report Calibration and maintenance history of breath-testing equipment or proper protocol for the blood draw (Was an alcohol swab used? Were two samples obtained?) Whether the 15-minute observation period before the breath test was honored (Officer’s typically mark on their report that they completed the 15 minute observation period but we can frequently show that the officer was driving the arrestee to jail during this time, making it highly unlikely that they were observing the person’s face for the entire 15 minute window prior to blowing into the breath machine) Weather, lighting, and environmental conditions that could affect test performance and FST results We’re not just looking to poke holes in the reports—we’re building a full spectrum defense to defend you from DUI charges in Airport court. Understanding DUI Penalties in California – What They Mean for Beverly Hills Drivers Even a first offense DUI in Beverly Hills can lead to major consequences and penalties. California law imposes increasingly severe penalties with each additional offense or aggravating circumstance. (Was there an accident? Was there a “refusal” to take the test?) First-Time Misdemeanor DUI If you’re charged with a first-time misdemeanor DUI , you may face up to six months in jail, approximately $12,000 in fines, and a license suspension lasting up to one year. You’ll also be required to complete a DUI education program and may be eligible to install an ignition interlock device (IID) to maintain driving privileges. The DA and court often want many additional forms of punishment like CalTrans freeway cleanup, community service, AA meetings, a visit to the hospital and morgue, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving class) etc. Second DUI Offense For a second offense , penalties escalate: a minimum of 96 hours up to one year in county jail, a two-year license suspension, and mandatory 18- or 30-month DUI education. With legal help, you might qualify for restricted driving with an IID. Additional penalties like rehab, intensive outpatient, CalTrans, and house arrest (electronic monitoring) are also possibilities. Third DUI Offense A third offense within 10 years brings a minimum of 120 days in the LA county jail, up to a three-year license revocation, and even longer DUI education requirements. An IID will be required if any driving is permitted. DUI Involving Injury DUI charges involving an accident that causes injury , even when classified as a misdemeanor, may lead to up to one year in jail, restitution payments to victims, and a license suspension of up to three years (with no ability to drive, not even with a breathalyzer installed). DUI school is required, with durations varying based on the circumstances. Felony DUI A felony DUI with injury can mean a state prison se How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in Los Angeles? Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Practice Areas - DUI Laws Los Angeles - How Much Does a DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles Cost? How Much Does a DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles Cost? DUI lawyers cost less than you may imagine. People hear horror stories of DUIs costing $20,000 but that simply isn’t the case. The cost of a DUI depends on the complexity of the DUI, the location of the court and the person’s criminal history. Someone with prior DUI convictions can expect a tougher case and therefore will pay more than someone with only a first offense DUI. There are some new attorneys scraping for clients who will charge very little but the results are abysmal. Then there are attorneys who have been in the business for thirty or forty years and limit their caseload by over-charging for simple DUI cases. We offer a high level of expertise and believe that good representation should be within the reach of everyone, so our prices are extremely reasonable and we offer flexible payment plans. How Much Does a Good DUI Lawyer Cost? On a first offense DUI, CA DUI attorneys average between $3500-$12000. We offer rates that take into consideration the complexity of the case and the needs of the client. The best DUI lawyers will customize the price for you based on your specific case instead of using a generic price for each case that doesn’t take into consideration the ease or difficulty of that particular case. Some DUIs are extremely simple and require less effort, therefore the cost is very minimal. A felony dui with great bodily injury, for example, would cost more since the stakes are extremely high and felonies are a huge amount of work. DUI Attorney Fees in California Many DUI attorneys in California don’t bill by the hour. Hourly billing tends to frustrate clients who don’t want to be nickel and dimed for each email they send or each question they have. We offer flat rate representation which means that the price doesn’t change or go up. You don’t need to worry about being billed for asking questions about your case or defense strategy. You will know the total cost upfront so there are no unexpected costs down the line. Transparency in pricing and payment plans allows our clientele to feel confident in their ability to pay and to know what to expect. Red Flags To Watch Out For When Hiring a DUI Attorney I could write a book about red flags when hiring attorneys. Many attorneys rely on one of two tactics to pressure you to hire them. The first is the scare tactic, where the attorney tries to frighten potential clients with things like jail or prison, in hopes that the potential client will act out of desperation. This is a terrible thing to do to people who are already full of anxiety after a DUI arrest. The last thing they need is more anxiety, especially when most of the threats aren’t true in their case (jail time is typically not required on a basic first-time DUI offense). Many other attorneys will tell you that they are great friends with the judge and prosecutor on your case. This is also misleading and usually completely fabricated. We hear stories from our clients who interviewed other attorneys and the scenarios they describe are very disturbing. Some attorneys claim to golf with the DA or that their wife is best friend’s with the DA’s wife, when the attorney isn’t even married. Some attorneys will say anything to get your business. If it feels like a sales tactic, it is. We don’t use sales tactics. We simply don’t need to. We believe in honesty, transparency, and good faith in treating our prospective clients because that’s what we would want if we were in their shoes. There are many attorneys who will be completely reachable when trying to get your business and then disappear the moment they are paid. Unfortunately the bad apples make everyone look bad. We, however, pride ourselves on strong client communication and interaction, start to finish. Do I Really Need a DUI Lawyer? Yes, absolutely. Even on a first-time DUI arrest, the driver is facing two separate DMV suspensions and a lengthy court case where the prosecutor is aggressively seeking a conviction and harsh punishment, including a mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) . The judge and DA will show no mercy on someone who attempts to represent themselves and in fact, the judge will put immense pressure on a defendant to hire an attorney instead of representing themselves since the punishment will be so much worse. At stake in any first-time DUI arrest are the following: your ability to drive, your ability to maintain a clean criminal record, job applications, credit applications, renting cars, etc. A DUI has huge consequences for drivers so getting a lawyer is a must. More importantly, finding the right attorney with experience, availability and “bed-side manner” is the critical difference between getting a great result or getting a terrible outcome in court. Contact Us Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Add Hart Levin – DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Request a Consultation Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name (Required) First Last Email (Required) Phone (Required) Message (Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form landingPage This field is hidden when viewing the form referrerPage Δ Testimonials Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp Scroll to Top DUI Causing Injury Penalties in California Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us California DUI Causing Injury Penalties By Hart Levin May 8, 2015 7:18 pm California DUI Causing Injury Penalties If, while driving under the influence, you cause an injury to an individual other than yourself, you can be charged with California Vehicle Code 23513 VC DUI causing injury. You are subject to California Vehicle Code 23153(a) VC “DUI causing injury” charges if it is found that, while you were driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, you violated any law or acted in a negligent manner, which subsequently caused bodily injury to any person other than yourself. If it is proven that you had a BAC of 0.08% or greater, you can be charged with California Vehicle Code 23153(b) VC “driving with a BAC of 0.08% or greater and causing any injury”. Contrary to 23153(a), instead of proving that you were driving under the influence, 23153(b) requires that the prosecutor prove that you were driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Penalties for “DUI with Injury” differ depending on the circumstances of your case and your criminal history background. Penalties increase for each subsequent DUI following your first DUI conviction. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor DUI with injury, you are subject to the following penalties: A fine between $390 and $5,000 A court-imposed alcohol program ranging from 3, 9, 18, 30 months A period of time ranging from 5 days to one year spent in county jail Informal probation between 3 to 5 years Suspension of driving privileges for one to three years Restitution to any victims If you are convicted of a third 23153 DUI causing injury, it is considered a felony DUI with injury, and you will be subject to the following penalties: Fines between $1,015 to $5,000 Court-imposed DUI school for 18 or 30 months A period of imprisonment for 2-4 years in California state prison An additional 3-year period of imprisonment that must be completed consecutively, if any victim suffers significant bodily injury One strike on your driving record if ay victim suffers significant bodily injury An addition one year prison sentence for any injury suffered Revocation of driving privileges for 5 years Habitual Traffic Offender status for 3 years Defenses against DUI with injury are similar to those used against a DUI charge. Your defense attorney can argue that you were not under the influence or question the accuracy of the tests used to measure your BAC if your BAC was above 0.08%. Your defense attorney can also claim that your act of negligence or unlawful actions were not the cause of injury. An accident reconstruction expert can be used to study whether other factors such as the weather or road conditions might have been to blame for the accident. Other matters related to Vehicle Code 23153 VC include California Penal Code 191.5 PC Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated, California VC 20001 Felony Hit and Run Involving Injury, and California Penal Code 2739 PC Child Endangerment. You can be charged with Penal Code 191.5 vehicle manslaughter while intoxicated if in addition to driving under the influence: Your actions violate a law or cause the death of another person, or You commit an act expected to cause the death of another person. You can be charged with Vehicle Code 20001 VC felony hit and run involving injury and or death if: You fail to stop and identify yourself following an accident You fail to administer assistance to any person requiring medical attention You can be charged with Penal Code 273a child endangerment if: You had a child passenger in the car while you were driving under the influence Add Hart Levin - DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest About the Author Hart Levin Hart graduated from UC Berkeley at the top of his class, where he received his Bachelor of Arts with Honors. He attended Loyola Law School where he also graduated with Honors. Hart Levin began his career working as an associate at a prominent civil law firm in Westwood, CA, McNicholas & McNicholas LLP. Contact Us Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 233 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400 Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Add Hart Levin – DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Last Posts What to Do If You Get Pulled Over After A Few Drinks What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp Scroll to Top Encino DUI Attorney | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Encino DUI Attorney: Protect Your Future with Proven Legal Defense If you’ve recently been arrested for DUI in Encino, CA, the stakes are high—and time is not on your side. DUI charges can carry serious consequences, from license suspensions and huge fines to mandatory alcohol education programs, community labor and community service, and even jail time. With DUI enforcement aggressively pursued in the San Fernando Valley, including Encino, you need an experienced DUI expert in your corner who knows the local courts and judges and can build an expert level defense. At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , we offer around-the-clock support for anyone facing DUI charges in Encino and throughout the greater Los Angeles area. As a former Deputy District Attorney, Hart Levin has a deep understanding of how prosecutors think and how to fight DUI cases effectively and successfully. What to Expect After a DUI Arrest in Encino DUI cases in Encino typically begin with a night or two in custody, even for first-time offenders. Although the stated reason is to ensure the driver’s sobriety, most people sober up within a few hours—making the full 48-hour hold feel more like punishment than protection. Once released, you’ll receive a notice to appear in court with a court date—usually at the Van Nuys Courthouse. This first court date, known as the initial arraignment, can set the tone for your entire case. It’s critical to have a defense attorney represent you during this phase to potentially avoid cash bail and protect your rights from the outset. Some judges are very particular about how they like to seek punishment and protect public safety by ordering extremely harsh conditions at the first court hearing. Knowing the judge allows us to predict exactly what the judge will want so that we can maneuver in advance to put you in the best position. Don’t delay—your ability to drive, work, and protect your record depends on acting quickly and hiring the right DUI attorney. Van Nuys Courthouse (Serving Encino Residents) Van Nuys Courthouse West 14400 Erwin Street Mall Van Nuys, CA 91401 This is the primary courthouse for DUI cases originating in Encino. Parking can be challenging, and traffic along Van Nuys Boulevard is typically congested—plan accordingly and leave early. Our team is well-versed in the workings of this court and regularly defends clients here. Act Fast: DMV License Suspension Hearings A DUI arrest in Encino triggers two separate proceedings: one with the criminal court and one with the DMV. Unless you request a hearing within 10 days of your arrest, the DMV will automatically suspend your license after 30 days. This DMV hearing is your first opportunity to challenge the case against you—even before the criminal court case begins. Our team has successfully handled thousands of administrative hearings (known as APS hearings) by: Disputing the lawfulness of the traffic stop Challenging chemical test results or procedural errors Identifying gaps in the arresting officer’s observations Don’t try to take on the DMV alone. We often find technical errors that allow us to overturn the suspension or prevent it altogether. Comprehensive DUI Defense in Encino At our firm, we analyze every angle of your case. No two DUI arrests are the same—and our approach reflects that. From how the initial stop was made to whether breath tests were properly administered, we scrutinize every detail to fortify your DUI defense. Some of the factors we investigate: Did the officer have valid legal cause to initiate the traffic stop of your vehicle? Were sobriety tests conducted under proper conditions? If there was a car accident, can the officer prove the time of driving? Is there video evidence that contradicts the police report? Were you observed for the legally required time before a breath test? Was the breathalyzer machine properly calibrated and certified? Every detail counts. We’ve had cases dismissed due to faulty testing procedures, unlawful stops, or improper documentation. Our goal is not just to reduce charges—but to fight for full and outright dismissals whenever possible. DUI Penalties in California First-Time DUI (Misdemeanor) For a first-time misdemeanor DUI , the court may impose up to six months in county jail, along with fines and fees that can reach $20,000 once everything is factored in. Your driver’s license could be suspended for anywhere between four and twelve months, although you may be eligible to drive immediately with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed for six months, or with a restricted license (work-related driving only). DUI education is also mandatory, usually ranging from three to nine months. Second DUI Offense If you are arrested for a second DUI , the penalties increase significantly. Some jail is mandatory. Jail time may range from 96 hours to one full year, and your license can be suspended for two years. In many cases, you may qualify for immediate restricted driving with an IID for one year. You’ll also be required to complete 18 or 30 months of DUI education. Third DUI Offense A third DUI offense brings even harsher consequences. You’ll be facing at least 120 days in jail, with the possibility of a full year in custody. Your license could be suspended for three years or revoked altogether, and you’ll be required to install an IID for two years. DUI school will also be required for up to 30 months. DUI with Injury or Felony DUI In cases where a DUI results in injury but is still charged as a misdemeanor, penalties include a minimum of five days in jail up to one year in county jail. Fines may again reach $20,000, and the court may order you to pay restitution to injured parties. License suspension typically ranges from one to three years, and the DMV will try to give you a “hard” suspension, meaning you won’t be able to drive even with a breathalyzer. DUI school length can vary from three to 30 months, depending on the severity. A felony DUI involving injury on a first offense can result in a prison sentence ranging from 16 months to over 10 years, particularly if the injuries are severe. Fines can exceed $20,000, and license suspension with a minimum of one year. The court will also require DUI school—anywhere from three to 30 months. A fourth DUI offense within ten years is charged as a felony and may result in either county jail up to 364 days with probation or a lengthy state prison sentence of 10 or more years. Your driver’s license could be suspended or revoked for up to a decade, and you’ll be required to complete an extended DUI education program lasting 18 or 30 months. Real-World Impact of a DUI Conviction in Encino Beyond the courtroom, a DUI conviction can disrupt nearly every aspect of your public and private life. You may face: Loss of employment, especially if your job involves driving Huge spikes in auto insurance premiums in an inability to find coverage Travel restrictions (especially to countries like Canada) Reputational damage within your community Challenges with loans, housing, and job applications With the right representation, many of these consequences can be avoided or reduced. We aim not just to defend you legally—but to help you preserve your livelihood and reputation. DUI and Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in California The legal BAC limit in California depends on several factors: 0.08% – Standard for adult drivers age 21 and over 0.04% – Long Beach DUI Lawyer | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Top-Rated Long Beach DUI Attorney At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , we pride ourselves on being the leading DUI attorneys in Long Beach. With years of experience and expertise in DUI cases, we have successfully defended numerous clients charged with DUI offenses in the area. Our team of specialized attorneys is committed to challenging the evidence, developing strong defense strategies, and obtaining the best possible outcome for our clients. What Happens When You Get a DUI in Long Beach? If you have been arrested for a DUI in Long Beach, the consequences can be severe. Upon your arrest, your driver’s license will be confiscated, and you will be issued a temporary license. Your case will result in two separate proceedings. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will initiate a case to determine whether your driving privileges should be suspended, while the District Attorney’s Office will file misdemeanor charges against you in criminal court. DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in Long Beach It is crucial to schedule a DMV hearing immediately after your DUI arrest in Long Beach. If you don’t do it quickly enough, your driver’s license will generally be automatically suspended. As experienced DUI lawyers in Long Beach, we personally handle your DMV hearing request and request all evidence that the DMV will review during the hearing. At the DMV hearing, we challenge whether the DMV has enough evidence to suspend your license. At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we have conducted thousands of DMV hearings and have achieved great success in fighting the DMV on our clients’ behalf. Although the DMV can be strict, we have one of the highest success rates in the industry when it comes to winning DMV hearings. Criminal Case in Long Beach Aside from the case being pursued against you by the DMV, you will also be facing a criminal case. Typically, DUI charges are classified as misdemeanors. It is crucial to have the support of an experienced DUI attorney in Long Beach to ensure that you can fiercely defend yourself and safeguard your livelihood. We, as highly regarded Long Beach DUI attorneys, carefully scrutinize the evidence being presented by the State and strategically challenge the DMV’s case against you, with the aim of preserving your license. DUI Penalties in Long Beach In the unfortunate event of a first time DUI conviction , the maximum sentence that may be imposed is 180 days in jail. However, our team of DUI defense experts have had no clients who received this maximum sentence. Rather, penalties can vary greatly depending on the individual circumstances of each case. These penalties may include a probation period of 1 to 5 years, completion of a DUI program ranging from 12 hours to 30 months, community service or labor, substantial fines, jail time, work release, installation of an ignition interlock device, and suspension of driving privileges. It’s important to note that penalties can be significantly increased if there are aggravating factors present. Factors such as a high blood alcohol concentration at the time of driving, involvement in a traffic collision, prior DUI convictions, and the level of cooperation with law enforcement before and after the arrest can greatly impact the severity of the consequences. Long Beach DUI School and Alcohol Programs When someone is caught driving under the influence for the first time, they may have to attend alcohol classes for 3 to 9 months. If they’re caught again, the classes will be even longer. It can be overwhelming to understand what’s required of you and how to handle it all. But at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we’re here to guide you through the process, step by step. We’ll make sure you have a clear understanding of what’s required of you and how we can help you. We also assist clients who live out of state and are facing a DUI charge. It can be tricky because every state has its own set of DUI classes, and they can be vastly different. But we have experience dealing with these situations and can help you navigate the process with ease. The Cost of a DUI in Long Beach As an experienced DUI attorney in Long Beach, I often receive inquiries from clients who have been overwhelmed by the information they find online about DUI charges . Many people are under the false impression that they will be facing fines in excess of $20,000, which is not necessarily the case. With our expertise, we are able to keep court costs to a minimum even in the most challenging cases. In the event that we are unable to have the charges dismissed entirely, we can typically limit court fines to around $2,000 with the option of payment plans to ease the financial burden. At our law firm, we also have innovative strategies to help eliminate fines entirely, especially when financial hardship is a concern. Additionally, we recognize that DUI offenders are required to pay for DUI programs and classes, and we work hard to minimize or eliminate these costs for our clients . By fighting the charges, we can prevent the need for extended classes, which can be costly. In addition to court fees and program costs, DUI offenders often face significant increases in their insurance premiums, which can be a heavy financial burden. As experienced DUI attorneys, we have cultivated relationships with reputable insurance providers who offer our clients special pricing to avoid these costs. We understand that many of our clients come to us trying to minimize the financial impact of a DUI. That’s why we work diligently to help our clients avoid hefty fines and other penalties. Ultimately, our goal is to help our clients move on from this event and minimize its impact on their lives. As top-tier DUI lawyers in Long Beach, we prioritize your needs and work tirelessly to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Add Hart Levin – DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Request a Consultation Company This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name (Required) First Last Email (Required) Phone (Required) Message (Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form landingPage This field is hidden when viewing the form referrerPage Δ Testimonials Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as r DUI Lawyer San Bernardino | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Top-Rated San Bernardino DUI Attorney Helps You Fight DUI Charges We are the highest-rated San Bernardino County DUI attorneys at the Law Firm of Hart J. Levin , and we have excellent experience fighting for clients charged with DUI offenses in San Bernardino County. Specializing in DUI cases, we use our expertise in evaluating evidence, developing strong defense strategies, and obtaining the best possible result for our clients. What Happens When You Get a DUI in San Bernardino? After you have been arrested for a DUI in San Bernardino County, the arresting agency will confiscate your driver’s license and issue you a temporary license. The DUI arrest will result in two cases being lodged against you. First, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will initiate a case against you to determine if your driving privileges should be suspended. Second, the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office will file misdemeanor charges in criminal court. DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in San Bernardino County After a DUI arrest, the DMV hearing must be scheduled immediately. It is urgent, otherwise the driver will generally receive an automatic suspension of their driver’s license . As highly-skilled San Bernardino DUI lawyers, we personally handle the hearing request for you, and also request all evidence that the DMV will review at the hearing. At the DMV hearing, we challenge whether or not the DMV has enough evidence to suspend your license. The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin have conducted thousands of DMV hearings and have had success in fighting the DMV on their clients’ behalf. While the DMV can be incredibly strict, we have one of the highest rates of success in our industry when it comes to winning DMV hearings. Criminal Case in San Bernardino County In addition to the DMV’s case against you, a criminal case will also be filed . In most circumstances, DUI’s are charged as misdemeanors. It is important that you have an expert San Bernardino DUI attorney by your side to ensure that you fight the case as aggressively as possible to protect your livelihood As top rated San Bernardino DUI attorneys , we look closely at the evidence the State has against you and make a targeted attack on the DMV’s case against you, in an effort to protect your license. DUI Penalties in San Bernardino County The maximum sentence for a first time DUI conviction is 180 days in jail. As highly-trained experts in the field of DUI defense, none of our clients have ever received 180 days in county jail for a first offense DUI . Possible penalties range from 1-5 years of informal probation, the completion of a DUI program (from 12 hours all the way on up to 30 months), community service or community labor, hefty fines, jail time, work release, the installation of an ignition interlock device, and a suspension of your driving privileges. However, the penalties can increase drastically depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Aggravating factors include a high blood alcohol concentration at the time of driving, whether or not a traffic collision occurred, prior DUI convictions, and the defendant’s cooperation with law enforcement during and after the arrest. San Bernardino DUI School and Alcohol Programs First time DUI offenders are often sentenced to anywhere from 3 to 9 months of alcohol classes. Second and third offenses get much longer classes. At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we will explain the requirements step-by-step to make sure you have a solid grasp of what to expect and how we can fix it. We also represent many out of state clients , where a normal class is not an option since each state has their own types of DUI classes and they vary wildly. The Cost of a DUI in San Bernardino People often read the internet and ask me about the information they find about San Bernardino DUIs, which can be very frightening and overwhelming. People often see that DUIs carry fines that can cost in excess of $20,000. This is simply untrue. As skilled San Bernardino DUI defense attorneys , we have the ability to keep the court costs to a minimum, even in the worst of cases. If we cannot beat the case, we can typically limit any fines to approximately $2000 with payment plans being available. We also have creative ways of eliminating the fines altogether, should finances be a significant concern. In addition to the payment of court-ordered fines and fees, DUI offenders also will have to pay for the DUI program. It is critical to fight these cases to reduce or eliminate the classes to prevent significant costs that can come along with extended classes. Another cost to consider is the cost of insurance after a DUI . Insurance companies can dramatically raise their premiums after a DUI which can cause financial hardship. We have relationships with excellent vendors that can give our clients special pricing to avoid large increases in insurance cost. Many of our clients come to the conclusion that hiring our firm actually pays for itself in the amount of penalties/fines that we can avoid for them. As top-notch San Bernardino DUI lawyers, it is our priority to help put your life back together and to do everything possible to erase this event from your record. You can call us anytime to ask questions or discuss your case, free of charge. Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Add Hart Levin – DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Request a Consultation Facebook This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name (Required) First Last Email (Required) Phone (Required) Message (Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form landingPage This field is hidden when viewing the form referrerPage Δ Testimonials Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp Scroll to Top California Court Locations for Criminal Cases - Hart Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Court Locations Serving all Los Angeles County Courts: Downtown Los Angeles : Stanley Mosk Courthouse and the Criminal Courts Building Juvenile Courts: Eastlake, Sylmar , Compton , Inglewood , Los Padrinos , Lancaster Metro Van Nuys San Fernando Airport Beverly Hills West Los Angeles East Los Angeles Santa Monica Hollywood Compton Inglewood Torrance Long Beach Norwalk Downey Whittier Alhambra Bellflower Glendale Pasadena Antelope Valley Lancaster West Covina El Monte Santa Clarita/Newhall Pomona Other California locations: All Orange County Courts All Ventura County Courts All Riverside County Courts All Santa Barbara County Courts All San Diego County Courts All San Bernardino County Courts The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin Also Serves The Entire Bay Area San Jose Santa Clara County Contra Costa County Walnut Creek Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp Scroll to Top What Happens When You Get a DUI in Los Angeles, CA? Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us California DUI FAQ - What Happens When You Get a DUI in Los Angeles? What Happens When You Get a DUI in Los Angeles? Many people reach out to us and ask, “What happens when you get a DUI in Los Angeles?” While this is one of our most frequently asked questions, the answer is different in nearly every case. In general, getting a DUI in Los Angeles means that you are subject to California’s strict DUI laws. California DUIs carry two cases, a DMV case and a separate court case, known as the criminal case. As former district attorneys and prosecutors, we have vast experience and utilize our expertise in DUIs to fight each case to achieve the best possible result. DUIs can be scary and life-changing. We have had the privilege of successfully helping over 3000 people clear their DUIs. After a DUI arrest in Los Angeles, most people are overwhelmed and have no idea where to turn to for the right help. Having an excellent lawyer is critical to maintaining your record and protecting your future. We specialize in challenging complex DUI cases and have earned a DUI attorney rating of 10 out of 10. What Happens When You Get Pulled Over for a DUI: Facts The most important thing to understand after you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles is that the clock is ticking and you must act urgently in order to preserve your license. After the DUI arrest, the police will typically release you with a notice to appear in court to fight the criminal case and they also provide you with a temporary driver’s license since they confiscate your traditional driver’s license. The temporary license has instructions which are confusing and often not applicable in your case. You’ve only got 10 days to make sure the DMV hearing has been requested properly. When you hire our firm, we handle the whole process for you. We immediately contact the DMV to make sure they do not suspend your license without giving us a chance to challenge the case and fight the DMV in a hearing, in order to protect your license. If you don’t act quickly, you will receive an automatic suspension which can go up to 3 years in length. The DUI Arrest Process in Los Angeles When you are pulled over for a DUI in Los Angeles, it is generally the LAPD, California Highway Patrol, or Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department who initially pull over your vehicle. In order for the police to pull you over to check for impairment, the officers must observe a vehicle code violation. That means that the officers cannot pull you over for no reason. They have to show that you broke some law. It could be speeding, weaving, or as slight as having no front license place. Any vehicle code violation will be enough to justify them stopping your car. After they approach your car they will start asking questions, usually starting with “where are you coming from tonight” or “where are you headed tonight.” The answers to these questions are largely irrelevant. The officer is actually trying to engage you in conversation to determine if there are objective signs of impairment such as slow and slurred speech, red and water eyes, an odor of alcohol on your breath, etc. The more they get you talking, the easier it is for them to evaluate if you are impaired. Assuming they believe that you are impaired from alcohol or drugs or both, the officer will then start the standardized field sobriety tests, known as “FSTS.” The first test is typically the “pen test,” known as the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. They ask you to follow the pen with your eyes to see if your pupils move rapidly and have difficulty tracking. Then they ask you to step out of the car and onto the sidewalk to perform more tests. The next test is typically the walk and turn, wherein you are asked to walk 9 steps in a straight line, turn around and walk 9 steps back. This is done “heel to toe” which is not easy and often causes people to lose their balance. There are other tests as well, including the balancing on one leg test and the 30-second count test where they time you counting to 30. After these tests are done, the officers will typically ask you to blow into a portable breathalyzer known as a PAS machine (Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test). This test is optional, however, most people feel pressured into taking it and end up providing samples. It is not a good idea to do this test. If you take the test and the BAC result is .08% or higher, the officers will immediately place you under arrest. Once you are placed under arrest, they will ask you if you want to take a breath test or a blood test. Many people are confused by this since they just blew into a breath machine and don’t understand the need to do it again at the station. This is because the handheld breathalyzer is optional, while the formal breath test or blood test is mandatory. Once you choose your desired test, they will administer it. If you choose the breath test, they will make you blow into the machine at least twice to get multiple results. If you choose blood, it may cause a delay since the officers may need to drive you over to the hospital to have a nurse pull a blood sample. You then get put in the holding cell for processing. Processing can take anywhere from 3 hours all the way to 24 hours. Once you are ready for release, the officers will provide you with a notice to appear in court and a temporary DMV license. They do not explain what you are required to do so many people feel lost when they are leaving the station without their driver’s license and with a notice of suspension and pending court date. It is at this point that it is critical to contact a skilled DUI specialist who can tackle the case for you and build your defense quickly. What to Do After You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI Do's – Be respectful to the officers. Being uncooperative makes the situation much worse and can result in additional charges being filed against you. – Provide your driver’s license and registration and proof of insurance. – Agree to take a chemical breath test at the station or a blood test. Don'ts – Do not refuse the chemical breath test or the blood test. Refusing leads to extremely harsh penalties in both court and with the DMV, including jail time and a very long driver’s license suspension. – Don’t admit to drinking. – Don’t take any field sobriety tests but remain courteous and respectfully decline. – Do not blow into the handheld breathalyzer known as the PAS device. – Do not try to stall to get your alcohol to go down. The officers can recognize this and mark it as a refusal. – Do not mention any prior DUIs you may have had in the past. How Many Years Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in California? A DUI conviction stays on your record indefinitely unless it is expunged. A DUI can be expunged from your record once your probation is complete. Typically the probation period is three years long and after that, an expungement is possible. Once it is expunged, it will remove the conviction from your criminal record and the charge will show as being dismissed. You will no longer need to disclose the conviction to prospective employers, job applications, rental applications, or otherwise. Some of our clients have unique concerns that require they not be on probation for very long and in these cases we can file a motion to terminate probation early. Once terminated, the case can be expunged eve DUI Lawyer Lancaster CA | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Lancaster DUI Attorney: Get the Urgent Help You Need At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , we are thrilled to have earned a reputation as the leading DUI attorneys in Lancaster. Our team of experienced lawyers has a track record of effectively representing clients facing DUI charges in Lancaster and surrounding areas. With our specialized focus on DUI cases, we possess in-depth knowledge and skills to analyze evidence, develop robust defense strategies, and fight tirelessly for our clients’ best interests. You can count on us to handle your case with utmost care and dedication, ensuring you get the best possible outcome. What Happens When You Get a DUI in Lancaster? If you are arrested for a DUI while driving in Lancaster, brace yourself for some serious legal consequences. Once you’re in custody, the arresting law enforcement agency will confiscate your driver’s license and replace it with a temporary one. However, that’s just the beginning of your problems. You’ll soon find yourself dealing with two separate legal cases stemming from your DUI arrest. The first case will be initiated by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which will conduct an investigation into the matter and determine whether or not to suspend your driving privileges. The second case will be filed by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the Antelope Valley criminal court, where you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor offense. Lancaster Court Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse 42011 4th Street West Lancaster, CA 93534 The Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, formerly known as the Lancaster Courthouse belongs to the North Judicial District of Los Angeles. The courthouse can be found on the edge of Los Angeles County, near the Palmdale Regional Airport. The judges and prosecutors tend to be very strict here, as they are almost always harsh towards criminal activity. This is where an experienced DUI attorney in Lancaster steps in, such as myself and the team at The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin. As a a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, I have seen all sides of the Lancaster court and know how to handle it to keep my clients free. Our team will always fight for your rights. DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in Lancaster If you find yourself facing a DUI charge in Lancaster, it’s crucial to act quickly and secure a DMV hearing . Without one, your driver’s license could be suspended without any further notice. However, you don’t need to worry, as our skilled and experienced DUI lawyers in Lancaster are available to help you through this challenging time. We will take care of the hearing request and ensure we gather all the necessary evidence for the DMV review. During the hearing, we’ll vigorously represent you and contest the DMV’s decision to suspend your license by challenging their evidence. Our team at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin has an excellent track record of successfully conducting numerous DMV hearings and helping countless clients retain their driver’s license. We know how daunting the DMV can be, but we’re confident in our ability to help you. Let us work tirelessly to protect your driving privileges and help you achieve a positive outcome. Criminal Case in Lancaster When you’re dealing with a DUI charge, it’s not just the DMV proceedings you need to worry about. There’s also a criminal case to contend with, and even though DUIs are generally considered misdemeanors, it’s important to take the matter seriously. To give yourself the best chance of fighting the case and protecting your career, you’ll want to have a skilled DUI lawyer in Lancaster by your side. That’s where we come in. Our team of highly regarded DUI lawyers is well-known in Lancaster for our expertise in handling these cases. We take a thorough approach to examining the evidence presented by the State and mounting a focused defense against the DMV’s case. Our goal is to preserve your driving privileges while ensuring that you receive the best possible outcome for your case. DUI Penalties in Lancaster If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of facing a first-time DUI conviction , you may be wondering what kind of punishment you could be facing. While the maximum sentence for such an offense is 180 days in jail, we want you to know that as legal experts specializing in DUI defense, we have never had a client receive such a severe punishment for a first-time offense. That being said, it’s important to understand that there are a range of potential penalties that could be imposed on someone convicted of DUI. These can include informal probation for up to five years, completion of a DUI program (which can range from 12 hours to 30 months), community service or labor, substantial fines, jail time, work release, installation of an ignition interlock device, and suspension of driving privileges. It’s important to note that the severity of the penalties can be significantly impacted by various aggravating factors, such as a high blood alcohol concentration at the time of driving, involvement in a traffic collision, prior DUI convictions, and the defendant’s level of cooperation with law enforcement. This is why it’s crucial to consult with an experienced DUI defense lawyer if you’re facing a DUI charge, as they can help you understand the potential consequences and work to mitigate any aggravating factors in your case. Lancaster DUI School and Alcohol Programs If you’re convicted of a DUI for the first time, the court may order you to attend alcohol classes that can last from 3 to 9 months. However, if it’s not your first offense, the length of the classes required increases considerably. Going through the legal process can be overwhelming and stressful, and at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we understand that. Our goal is to support our clients every step of the way. We’ll explain the terms of your sentence clearly and concisely so that you fully comprehend what’s expected of you. We’re also here to represent out-of-state clients as DUI class requirements can vary significantly between states. In these cases, we’re committed to finding the best solution for our clients’ unique situations. The Cost of a DUI in Lancaster It’s understandable that people searching for information about Lancaster DUIs can feel overwhelmed and frightened when faced with false information online that suggests they could be fined over $20,000. As experienced Lancaster DUI defense attorneys, we want to ease your concerns and let you know that this information is not accurate. Our team has the expertise and proficiency to minimize court costs, even in the most severe DUI cases. If the outcome of the case isn’t in our client’s favor, we can still ensure that the fines are no more than approximately $2,000, and we can also arrange payment plans if necessary. Furthermore, we have innovative ways to eliminate fines entirely if financial hardship is a concern. Apart from the fines, DUI offenders are required to pay for the DUI program, which can be an added financial burden. It is therefore essential to fight these cases to minimize or eliminate the classes, which can significantly reduce the costs. It’s importan Pasadena DUI Lawyer | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Pasadena DUI Attorney: Get the Urgent Help You Need It is crucial to seek the assistance of a highly-rated DUI lawyer if you or someone you know is dealing with a DUI charge in Pasadena, CA. A DUI conviction can result in severe consequences, including costly fines, a license suspension or an ignition interlock device system, probation, and possibly even jail time. Pasadena, being part of Los Angeles County, experiences a high number of DUI arrests each year, and the charges are prosecuted very aggressively by the prosecutor’s office. To avoid or minimize the negative effects of a DUI conviction, it’s vital to have an experienced and aggressive Pasadena DUI attorney on your side. The Law Offices of Hart Levin is available around the clock to help clients all around LA with their DUI defense. Our team of experienced attorneys work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for each case, protecting your rights and defending you against DUI charges. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation. Pasadena Court Pasadena Courthouse 300 E Walnut St Pasadena, CA 91101 The Pasadena Courthouse belongs to The Los Angeles Superior Court and is located off of Walnut Street between Garfield Ave and N Euclid Ave. There are pay parking lots adjacent to the courthouse. You can also access paid parking at the parking structure situated at the southeast corner of Marengo Ave. and Walnut St. The entrance to the structure is located on 240 Ramona St. The Pasadena Courthouse prohibits certain items from being brought into the courthouses, so make sure you are prepared when heading to your court date. Hart Levin and his entire team are well versed when it comes to fighting for our clients at the Pasadena Courthouse. Being a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, Hart has seen every side to these cases. The DUI attorneys at Law Offices of Hart J. Levin will be by your side for every step of your DUI case, in and out of court. What Happens When You Get a DUI in Pasadena? The DUI process in Pasadena begins with an aggressive prosecution for those drivers accused of driving under the influence, even if it’s their first offense. Anyone facing a DUI charge is detained by the police for up to 48 hours before being released, purportedly for their safety and to ensure that they are sober. However, the 48-hour hold is more like a form of pretrial punishment since sobriety typically returns within twelve hours or less. After being discharged, defendants will be required to appear in front of a judge for an initial court hearing known as an arraignment. We are able to appear on behalf of our clients in most cases, preventing the need for our clients to miss work only to wait around in court for many hours. This is just the first part of the criminal case after a DUI arrest. The DA will seek as much punishment as they can get. To reduce or avoid the consequences of a DUI conviction, it’s essential to contact a top-rated DUI attorney in Pasadena as soon as possible upon release. Waiting to get the legal help needed to safeguard one’s professional and personal life from the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction is not recommended and can be very dangerous. California DMV Administrative License Suspension Hearing: (Admin. Per Se) Following a DUI arrest in Pasadena, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin the process of suspending the driver’s license, 31 days after the DUI arrest. To contest or challenge the suspension, the DMV hearing demand must be sent and received within 10 days of the arrest, to avoid an automatic suspension. Trying to overturn a license suspension order without the guidance and expertise of a skilled Pasadena DUI defense lawyer can be challenging for any driver. As expert DUI attorneys, we are knowledgeable about challenging the justification for the arrest and discrediting any proof of alcohol or drug impairment. Defending DUI Charges in Pasadena With the Help of a Top-Rated DUI Defense Lawyer When charged with a DUI, it’s crucial to retain the services of a skilled and experienced DUI attorney in Pasadena who will tirelessly work to challenge the prosecution’s case. The Law Offices of Hart Levin is dedicated to conducting a comprehensive examination of every aspect of your case to prepare your best defense strategy. Using our experience and legal training, we carefully scrutinize the events leading up to your arrest, as well as the evidence gathered by law enforcement. We recognize that even the smallest piece of information can make a significant difference in developing a successful defense strategy: Were there adequate legal grounds for the driver’s vehicle to be stopped? Did the officer have adequate interaction with the driver to detect clear indications of drug influence or alcohol intoxication? Can the officer’s statements be substantiated or contradicted by bodycam or dashcam footage? Did the driver undergo field sobriety tests (SFSTs)? Were the SFSTs conducted following the proper testing procedures? Were the existing weather, road, and lighting conditions suitable for administering and assessing the SFSTs? Was the officer’s evaluation of the driver’s performance accurate? Was a breathalyzer test performed at the station? Did the officer monitor the driver for fifteen minutes to ensure that they did not burp, vomit, eat, drink, or smoke before administering the breathalyzer test? Was the breathalyzer properly certified and calibrated at the time of your test? Is the breathalyzer operator currently certified to administer the test? Were the documents associated with the breath test appropriately validated and provided within the legally mandated time frame? DUI Penalties in California The repercussions of a DUI conviction in California are severe: 1st Offense Misdemeanor DUI If you are charged with a first-time misdemeanor DUI offense in Pasadena, the penalties can be severe. The offender may face up to six months in county jail, fines ranging up to $20,000, and a suspension of their driver’s license for four to twelve months. The court may also order the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for up to one year, allowing them to drive only after passing a breathalyzer test. In addition to these penalties, the defendant will be required to attend a DUI school for either three, six or nine months, depending on the severity of their offense and the specific alcohol level, known as a BAC level. 2nd Offense Misdemeanor DUI If someone commits a second misdemeanor DUI offense in Pasadena, the consequences could include spending 96 hours to one year in a county jail, fines ranging up to $20,000, and having their driver’s license suspended for two years. The driver will only be able to drive with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in their car for one year, except in cases of a “refusal.” Additionally, they would have to attend a DUI school for either 18 or 30 months, depending on the severity of their offense and BAC level. 3rd Offense Misdemeanor DUI If a person is convicted of a third misdemeanor DUI offense in Pasadena, they will face severe penalties. These penalties could include imprisonment in a county jail for a period ranging from 120 days to one year. Additionally, the offender may be fined up to $20,000, and their driver’s license may be suspended for three Pomona DUI Attorney | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Pomona DUI Attorney: Get the Urgent Help You Need At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin , we take great pride in being recognized as the leading DUI attorneys in Pomona. At our firm, we have a team of highly skilled lawyers who bring a wealth of experience to the table. We are dedicated to providing exceptional representation to clients facing DUI charges in Pomona and the surrounding areas. With a strong focus on DUI cases, we possess a deep understanding of the complexities involved. This allows us to carefully analyze evidence, develop strong defense strategies, and passionately advocate for our clients’ best interests. You can trust that your case will receive our utmost attention and dedication as we work tirelessly to achieve the most favorable outcome on your behalf. What Happens When You Get a DUI in Pomona? If you happen to find yourself caught in the unfortunate situation of being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) while in Pomona, brace yourself for some serious legal consequences. Once you’re taken into custody, the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest will confiscate your driver’s license and provide you with a temporary one. Subsequently, you’ll be faced with two separate legal proceedings stemming from your DUI arrest. The first case will be initiated by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which will conduct an investigation to determine if your driving privileges should be suspended. Meanwhile, simultaneously, the second case will be launched by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the Pomona criminal court, accusing you of a misdemeanor offense. DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in Pomona If you’re ever caught in a DUI situation in Pomona, it’s crucial to act swiftly and make sure you secure a DMV hearing . Failing to do so could result in the suspension of your driver’s license without prior notice. But don’t fret, because our team of experienced and skilled DUI lawyers in Pomona is here to assist you during this challenging period. We’ll handle all the necessary steps to request a hearing and gather the essential evidence for the DMV review. Once the hearing arrives, we’ll vigorously represent you and challenge the DMV’s decision to suspend your license by contesting the evidence they present. At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we have a stellar track record of successfully handling numerous DMV hearings and helping countless clients retain their driving privileges. We understand how intimidating the DMV process can be, but we’re confident in our ability to support you. Let us put in the relentless effort to protect your right to drive and strive for a favorable resolution. Criminal Case in Pomona When it comes to facing a DUI charge , it’s not just about dealing with DMV proceedings; there’s also a criminal case to navigate. Despite DUIs typically being classified as misdemeanors, it’s crucial to treat the situation seriously. To increase your chances of effectively fighting the case and safeguarding your career, it’s essential to have a skilled DUI lawyer in Pomona at your side. That’s where we step in. Our team of highly respected DUI lawyers has earned a strong reputation in Pomona due to our expertise in handling these types of cases. We approach each case with thoroughness, meticulously examining the evidence presented by the State and mounting a focused defense against the DMV’s arguments. Our ultimate goal is to protect your driving privileges while striving to secure the best possible outcome for your specific situation. DUI Penalties in Pomona If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being charged with a first-time DUI offense , it’s natural to be concerned about the potential consequences. Although the maximum penalty for such an offense is 180 days in jail, it’s important to know that as legal professionals who specialize in DUI defense, we have never seen a client receive such a severe punishment for a first offense. However, it’s crucial to recognize that there is a range of potential penalties that could be imposed upon someone convicted of DUI. These penalties can include informal probation for a period of up to five years, completion of a DUI program that varies from 12 hours to 30 months, community service or labor, substantial fines, jail time, work release, installation of an ignition interlock device, and suspension of driving privileges. It’s worth noting that the severity of these penalties can be significantly influenced by various aggravating factors. These factors may include having a high blood alcohol concentration at the time of driving, being involved in a traffic collision, having prior DUI convictions, or displaying a lack of cooperation with law enforcement. This is precisely why it’s absolutely vital to seek the guidance of an experienced DUI defense attorney if you’re facing a DUI charge. They can provide you with invaluable insights into the potential consequences and work diligently to minimize any aggravating factors in your case. Pomona DUI School and Alcohol Programs At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we recognize that navigating the legal system can be daunting and emotionally draining, especially when facing a DUI conviction. If you find yourself in this situation for the first time, the court may mandate attendance at alcohol classes, generally ranging from 3 to 9 months in duration. However, for repeat offenders, the duration of these classes increases significantly. Our primary objective is to provide unwavering support to our clients throughout the entire process. We understand the overwhelming nature of the legal journey you’re undertaking, and we’re here to help. We will ensure that you have a clear and concise understanding of the terms of your sentence, enabling you to comprehend fully what is expected of you. Moreover, we extend our services to clients from out-of-state, recognizing that DUI class requirements can vary significantly between states. Rest assured, we are dedicated to identifying the optimal solution for your unique circumstances, offering our expertise and representation to secure the best outcome possible. The Cost of a DUI in Pomona We understand how overwhelming and frightening it can be when you’re searching for information about DUIs in Pomona. The internet is flooded with misleading information, suggesting exorbitant fines of over $20,000. As experienced DUI defense attorneys in Pomona, we want to alleviate your concerns by assuring you that this information is simply not true. Our team possesses the expertise and proficiency needed to minimize court costs, even in the most severe DUI cases. Even if the outcome of the case doesn’t go in our client’s favor, we can typically ensure that the fines amount to no more than approximately $2,000. Additionally, if needed, we can help you set up convenient payment plans. We’ve also developed innovative methods to completely eliminate fines in situations where financial hardship is a concern. Apart from fines, DUI offenders are typically required to enroll in DUI programs, which can add to the financial burden. Therefore, it’s crucial to fight these cases to minimize or eliminate the need for these programs, significan West Hollywood DUI Attorney | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us West Hollywood DUI Attorney – Aggressive Defense When You Need It Most Being arrested for DUI in West Hollywood is a frightening and stressful experience to go through. Suddenly you’re facing risks to your future—Will I lose my license? Will I go to jail? How will this affect my job, my finances, my record and my reputation? A DUI conviction can bring significantly harsh consequences, including multiple license suspensions, huge fines, jail time, and skyrocketing insurance rates. But getting arrested is not the same thing as being found “guilty” or convicted of a DUI. With a highly experienced West Hollywood DUI lawyer on your side, you have a real chance to fight your case and protect your future. Attorney Hart J. Levin , a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, leads what is considered to be the highest rated, most respected DUI defense team in all of Southern California. He and his expert team have defended thousands of cases across Los Angeles, including in West Hollywood. Their insider knowledge of the local courts, judges and prosecutors gives you a critical advantage in court. In court, who you know matters as much as “what you know.” Arrested for DUI in West Hollywood? Here’s What Happens Next The legal process moves quickly. After a DUI arrest in West Hollywood, you will likely be booked at the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) or taken directly to LAPD’s Hollywood Division before being held in custody for up to 48 hours—even if it’s only your first offense. While this is often described as a “safety measure” to protect the public, most people are plenty sober long before they are actually released, making it feel more like punishment. Once released, you’ll be given a notice to appear with a future court date. You will also be given a pink temporary license known as the DS 367 – APS Hearing temporary drivers license. Thee are two seperate cases against you. One is a DMV case, the other is a criminal case in the superior court. The first court date is known as an arraignment. This arraignment is your first appearance before a judge and can shape the rest of your case. Without expert representation, you risk being taken back into jail, having a high bail amount imposed, receiving harsh release conditions (like an ankle monitor, alcohol monitor or daily AA meetings), and more. It’s a high risk process from start to finish. Hiring the best, most experienced DUI attorney immediately after your release is the best way to fight the case and protect yourself. Nearby Courthouses for West Hollywood Airport Courthouse 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045 Metropolitan Courthouse 1945 S. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90007 These courts are known for being strict on DUIs and training grounds for new DAs and prosecutors who are looking to earn their stripes. Judges there deal with a huge volume of cases and are often impatient – they often impose strict conditions on you to stay out of jail while the case is pending – unless you have the proper representation. We regularly appear in both courts and know many of the judges personally, know most of the prosecutors by their first name, and know their specific protocols inside and out. This local insight allows us to anticipate how your case will be handled, who you will be up against, what works and doesn’t work when going against them, and how to develop the most effective defense strategy. The DMV Deadline: Act Within 10 Days As mentioned above, a DUI arrest in West Hollywood sets off two separate cases: one in criminal court and another with the DMV. Unless you request a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended 30 days later. Our expert DUI defense team challenges license suspensions by targeting and challenging: Whether the traffic stop was lawful (was there adequate probable cause or was the officer just hassling you for no reason?) If breath or blood testing procedures were properly followed (were they done on time? Was there a 15 minute observation period as required by law?) Whether your constitutional rights were violated at any stage, and if so, demonstrating that the case should be dismissed. Missing this initial deadline almost always results in losing your license by default. Having our team intervene right away gives you the best chance of keeping your driving privileges. And if the DMV takes away your license, in many cases you’ll have options to continue driving with a breathalyzer or a restricted license. We’ll let you know your options and help you each step of the way. Fighting a DUI Charge in West Hollywood Every DUI case has weaknesses, and our job is to find them. No police report is perfect. We thoroughly review every detail of your arrest, what happened once the officers arrived, and the evidence the prosecution will use to try to convict you. Some of the key issues we investigate include: Was there valid probable cause for the initial stop? Were field sobriety tests conducted correctly? Does dashcam or bodycam footage support—or contradict—the officer’s statements in his/her report? Was the breath-testing machine properly calibrated and certified? Did the officer actually observe the 15-minute waiting period before breath testing? Was the blood obtained within the proper time frame? Was an alcohol swab used first? Could lighting, weather, or road conditions have affected test performance? Doing the FSTs in the rain or freezing cold is nearly impossible for even perfectly sober people. These small details often make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, losing vs winning. DUI Penalties in California – What West Hollywood Drivers Will Face in Court Even a first offense DUI can have major penalties. California law imposes tougher consequences with each additional DUI or if aggravating factors exist, like an accident. First DUI Offense – Up to 6 months in county jail, many thousands in fines, license suspension up to 12 months (though IID or restricted licenses may be available), and mandatory DUI school (3–9 months). There are several other punishments that prosecutors try to impose including CalTrans freeway cleanup, community service, daily or weekly AA meetings, alcohol monitoring, having to visit the Hospital and Morgue (HAM program) etc. Second DUI Offense – Much more serious than a first time DUI – jail time is required here. Minimum 96 hours in jail (maximum of one year in jail), longer license suspension (up to 2 years), fines, 18–30 month DUI school, and mandatory IID, etc. Third DUI Offense – At least 120 days in jail, up to 3 years of license revocation, long-term DUI classes, and IID requirements. Possibility of the DA or judge requesting rehabilitation – either inpatient or intensive out patient (IOP) DUI with Injury – Jail is mandatory here – 5 days to 1 year in county jail, fines, restitution, and at least a 1-year license suspension (no restricted license eligibility for 1 year) Felony DUI – State prison (16 months to over 10 years), major fines, and lengthy license revocation. A fourth DUI within 10 years is automatically charged as a felony. A DUI will also become a felony even on a first offense if there is a moderate to severe injury to someone else, other than you. This is the most serious type of DUI. If you get a felony DUI, it can be used against you for the rest of your life. The Abogado De DUI Los Ángeles - Hart Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Abogado De DUI Los Ángeles Una condena de manejar bajo la influencia puede resultar en pérdida de reputación, multas costosas, clases sobre la educación del alcohol requeridas por la corte, suspensión y revocación de su licencia de manejo, pagos de seguro más altos y hasta cancelación de su póliza, la instalación de un dispositivo de ignición, y en unos casos tiempo en una cárcel o hasta la prisión. En el Sur de California, donde la mayoría de automovilistas viajan por medio de autopistas, y el transporte público no es tan seguro, el perder el privilegio de manejar puede ser devastador no sólo para la carrera de una persona, pero para su vida personal también. Contactenos hoy para averiguar lo que Hart J. Levin, el mejor abogado en los angeles tiene que ofrecer. Agresivamente defendemos cargos de manejo bajo la influencia en corte y audiencias del dmv cuidadosamente desarrollando estrategias con nuestros clientes para obtener una defensa infalible. Investigamos porque lo paro la policía, cual fue el resultado en la prueba de sobriedad, y si el alcoholímetro tiene historial de malfuncionamiento. Nos especializamos en desarrollar defensas exitosas contra los cargos de manejo bajo la influencia utilizando la ciencia tras sangre­alcohol, y nuestro conocimiento sobre el procedimiento policial adecuado durante un arresto por manejar bajo la influencia. Como un abogado que se especializa en cargos de manejo bajo la influencia en Los Angeles, nuestro enfoque de corte agresivo y oportuno resulta en cargos reducidos y a veces hasta el retiro de cargos cuando podemos demostrar debilidades en el caso del fiscal, como la parada inicial del policía sin suficiente causa, un alcoholímetro que no funcione apropiadamente, la absorción del alcohol que es insuficiente para mostrar el grado de ebriedad, o otros problemas de prueba que suelen existir. Si esta en búsqueda de un abogado, llame a la oficina del abogado Hart J. Levin. El proceso del dmv funciona así: Contal de que nos haya contratado dentro de diez días de su arresto, podemos pedir una audiencia con el dmv para ud. Esto nos permite pelear su caso con el dmv para proteger su licencia. Las audiencias del dmv, raramente favorecen al conductor. Si nos a contratado después de los diez días de su arresto, su licencia automáticamente será suspendida después de treinta días de su arresto. Solicitamos una audiencia enviando una notificación al departamento de seguridad vial del dmv haciéndoles saber que lo representamos y que coloquen una suspensión de la suspensión de su archivo. Esto ordena al dmv que no suspenda su licencia hasta que tengamos la oportunidad de defender su caso en una audiencia del dmv. Si no solicitamos una audiencia del dmv, el dmv automáticamente suspenderá su licencia sin conducir una audiencia. El proceso de la audiencia puede ser lento. El dmv está muy retrasado debido a las limitaciones presupuestarias. Con tal de que hayamos mandado la solicitud dentro de los diez días del arresto, sus derechos están protegidos. Generalmente, el dmv nos contactará para programar una fecha para la audiencia más o menos dos semanas después de que mandemos la solicitud. Después de que estemos de acuerdo con la fecha de la audiencia, el dmv nos mandará los reportes policíacos del caso. Los reportes se demoran otras dos o tres semanas en llegar. La audiencia del dmv a menudo está prevista alrededor de sesenta días después de la fecha del arresto. Ud, el conductor, automáticamente tiene el derecho de manejar sin restricciones hasta la fecha de la audiencia del dmv. Aunque la licencia rosa temporal dada a ud al tiempo del arresto diga que nomás es válida por treinta días, cuando hayamos solicitado la audiencia, podrá manejar con ella hasta el día de la audiencia, que puede ser meses después del día del arresto. El dmv nos avisará del resultado de su audiencia por correo. No nos dirán el resultado en la audiencia. Ud no tendrá que estar presente en la audiencia en ningún momento. Ud no necesitará un licencia restringida hasta después de que el dmv haiga conducido su audiencia y suspendido su licencia. Típicamente, es requerido que espere treinta días después de que le suspendan su licencia para aplicar para una licencia restringida. En las oficinas de Hart J. Levin trabajaremos inmediatamente para proteger sus derechos, y pelear por ud para evitar una condena criminal seria. Ud debe estar consciente de que ud tiene diez días del día de su arresto para pedir una audiencia del dmv para prevenir la suspensión automática de su licencia. Le aseguramos que su audiencia con el dmv se fija en el momento oportuno y que lo defenderemos aunque ud no esté presente. Hart J. Levin es su abogado en Santa Mónica, San Diego, y el condado de Orange para pelear su caso de manejo bajo la influencia. Trabajamos sin descanso para defender su privilegio de manejo y reducir o descartar los cargos contra ud usando todas las herramientas disponibles. Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Add Hart Levin – DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Request a Consultation URL This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name (Required) First Last Email (Required) Phone (Required) Message (Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form landingPage This field is hidden when viewing the form referrerPage Δ Testimonials Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Top DUI Attorney Hart J. Levin Recent Post What to Do If You Get Pulled Over What to Do if You’ve Been Arrested for a DUI California DUI Causing Injury Penalties Court Locations Industry Awards How to Reach us Directly: Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Copyright © 2026 Hart Levin | All Rights Reserved | Site by seo los angeles *as ranked by the Law Firm 500 *1,000 Reviews are across Avvo, Google and Yelp Scroll to Top Second Offense DUI Lawyer Los Angeles | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us Practice Areas - DUI Laws Los Angeles - Second Time DUI in Los Angeles Second DUI in Los Angeles Getting arrested for a second DUI in Los Angeles can be a very difficult experience, as the city is known for having some of the harshest penalties in the State for repeat-DUI offenses. It is important to be informed about the significant consequences of a second DUI arrest in Los Angeles. 2nd DUI in Los Angeles Penalties A 2nd DUI arrest in California, particularly in Los Angeles, may result in serious penalties including jail time, community service, fines, classes, probation, breathalyzer requirements, license suspension, AA and MADD meetings, DNA testing, visiting the Hospital and Morgue (HAM) etc. Los Angeles 2nd DUI: Mandatory Jail Time For a 2nd DUI offense, jail time is required with a range of 96 hours to one year. In Los Angeles, prosecutors are known to seek harsh penalties including substantial jail time, and the minimum 96 hours is rarely offered. Usually, a 2nd DUI in Los Angeles results in an offer starting from 60 to 90 days in jail, or even longer. Los Angeles is known for imposing harsh jail sentences. However, for most second DUI cases in the city, it is possible to avoid jail time through alternatives such as electronic monitoring or “house arrest”. This option allows the defendant to live at home and go to work, instead of serving time in jail. However, the availability of house arrest depends on the individual’s application and qualifications, as approved by the Los Angeles probation department. We have been very successful in either eliminating the jail time, dramatically lowering it, or getting our client house arrest instead of county jail time on second offense DUIs in Los Angeles. Each court has different protocols for second offense DUIs and knowing how each judge and courtroom operates is critical to your success. We use our decades’ long relationships with courts and prosecutors to achieve impressive victories for our clients. 2nd Offense DUI Probation In Los Angeles, a 2nd DUI results in probation lasting 4 to 5 years. Probation is informal, so there is no need to report to a probation officer or face travel restrictions. This is also known as “summary probation.” However, all laws must be obeyed and no driving with any detectable level of alcohol is allowed, otherwise a violation of probation may occur which can cause significant jail time. 2nd Offense DUI Fines Fines for a 2nd DUI can be substantial, ranging from $1800 to $20,000. The good news is that we have a high success rate in obtaining the minimum fine, even in challenging cases. The court provides ample time for payment and offers payment plans. In cases where our client wants to avoid the fine altogether, we can typically substitute community service for the fine. Other Potential Penalties Additional penalties may include: -An 18-month weekly alcohol class known as SB 38 -A 1-year driver’s license suspension -AA meetings weekly for the length of probation -MADD class -Mandatory ignition interlock device installation -No consuming alcohol or drugs at all – even at home. -DNA swab -Community service -Community labor, etc. 2nd DUI Offense: What to Expect The Prosecution’s case against you: 1. The prosecution will attempt to prove that you were the driver of the vehicle, even if no one witnessed it (such as in a car accident where the police arrive after the driving has occurred). 2. That you were under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both while driving. 3. That your blood alcohol concentration was .08% or above at the time of driving. 4. That you have a prior DUI arrest and conviction within the past 10 years, regardless of the state in which the arrest took place (not limited to California). They will use police reports as evidence of driving and impairment. Police officer’s statements in their own police reports are considered evidence. Many people believe that without video or dashcam footage, the police and DA cannot prove their case. This is untrue however. The statements from the officer, even without any video confirming them, are considered evidence sufficient to convict someone of a 2nd offense DUI. From The DMV The DMV will suspend your driver’s license automatically unless we request a hearing within 10 days of the arrest. This hearing will give us the opportunity to challenge the case and try to have the suspension lifted. A second DUI offense in Los Angeles usually results in a one-year suspension, but it may be longer if you refused a breathalyzer test. In most cases, someone arrested for a second offense DUI can continue to drive during the one year suspension period if they install a breathalyzer in their car. How to Fight Your 2nd DUI in Los Angeles Our defense strategy for a 2nd DUI in Los Angeles involves several aggressive tactics. We start by contacting the DMV to protect your driving privileges and ordering police reports. After we’ve received all evidence, we challenge various aspects of the case in court. All evidence, including video/audio recordings and 911 calls, is subpoenaed for review. We analyze the evidence for weaknesses and present a defense that highlights your good moral character. We also demonstrate the potential negative impact a DUI conviction could have on your life. We utilize forensic toxicologists to examine the accuracy of the BAC test results and private investigators to secure additional evidence such as CCTV footage or witness statements. Our defense strategy is aggressive and fluid, and our track record of success shows that we customize the strongest defense strategy for each unique case. 2nd DUI Offense FAQs Will a second DUI ruin my life? A second DUI in Los Angeles can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to ruin your life. We’ll work with you to contest the charges and minimize the impact. Even if a conviction can’t be avoided, we can help you get your record expunged later. Our goal is to help you regain your license and protect your employment and livelihood. How bad is a second DUI? A second DUI offense in Los Angeles is more difficult than a first as the consequences are more severe, but it is not necessarily “bad.” We can often minimize the impact on your life by greatly reducing the punishment and fixing your driving privileges so you can continue to live your life and go to work. What happens after your second DUI? Our firm handles the entire process from start to finish, eliminating any guesswork for our clients. We manage both DMV and court hearings, and in most cases, you won’t need to attend court. We’ll guide you every step of the way, aggressively fighting for the best possible outcome while giving you peace of mind with the knowledge that you have a top-notch defense team on your side. Contact Us Listen to Hart Levin on the “Explain Things To Me” Podcast Hablamos Español Contact US Tel: 310-935-3100 Fax: 310-776-9020 Email: [email protected] The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin 401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Fl. Santa Monica, CA 90401 355 S Grand Avenue #2450 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Add Hart Levin – DUI Lawyer To contacts on mobile Request a Consultation Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name (Required) First Last Email (Required) Phone (Required) Message (Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form landingPage This field i San Jose DUI Lawyer | Hart J. Levin Skip to content DUI Lawyer | OPRIMA AQUI PARA ESPAÑOL 818-873-2473 951-951-2587 [email protected] Main Menu Practice Areas DUI Defense Underage DUI DUI Expungement Felony DUI Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated DUI with Bodily Injury DMV Hearings First Time DUI Second Time DUI Hit and Run DUI Wet Reckless vs. DUI Prescription Drug DUI Can You Smoke Weed in Your Car in California? Testimonials Extras Attorney Profiles Case Results DUI FAQs Court Locations San Jose Torrance San Bernardino Riverside Blog Contact Us DUI LAWYER IN SAN jose Contact us for your online Free Case Review Now! Contact us for your online Free Case Review Now! DUI in San Jose? Act Now to Avoid Painful Penalties If you’ve been charged with a DUI in San Jose, you need to act immediately to save your license and protect your record by hiring an experienced DUI defense lawyer. California law allows you only ten (10) days to file a request for an administrative hearing to fight to keep your license. Do you know how to help yourself after a DUI arrest? Few people do. That’s why it’s so important to call the best DUI defense lawyers  at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin. When the police arrest you for a DUI charge, they can seize your original license and send it to the DMV to be destroyed. The police will issue you a pink temporary license. Unless you take action in time, the DMV will automatically suspend your license beginning 31 days after your DUI arrest. The duration of your license suspension depends on your prior DUI history, the facts of your case, and the expertise of your legal defense team. Potential Consequences of a Silicon Valley DUI A DUI conviction can have devastating consequences on your life. The mistake people often make is underestimating the severity of California DUI penalties until it’s too late. Driving after drinking too much in San Jose, or driving under the influence of drugs, can cause havoc on your life well beyond the immediate fines and other related expenses. Consider these consequences: Criminal conviction Loss of Driving Privilege Unable to pass a background check Public humiliation Reputation Damaged Family Disruptions, Divorce Anxiety Loss of Respect Loss of or denial of employment Denial of apartment rental Diminished Credit Increased insurance costs. Yelp Reviews The highest rated and most reviewed DUI and criminal defense firm in Los Angeles Mr. Levin is an excellent attorney. The level of professionalism of himself and his staff is incomparable to others in the area and I highly recommend him. Amanda M. I have so much gratitude for Hart Levin and his team. Getting arrested was terrifying and I thought my life was over. I literally had a panic attack. They arrested me for DUI and possession of narcotics... Pearl O. Couldn't be happier with the outcome of my case with the help of Hart Levin. I was looking at a very serious charge of felony DUI in a very tough courthouse and the DA wanted years in prison. After talking to Hart, he told me that there was no way he would let me go to prison. He worked his magic and got the best possible outcome. Not only did I not go to prison, I only had to spend 2 days in county jail, pay a couple extremely low fines and attend a 9 month alcohol program. He kept me up to date every step of way in my case and answered all my questions promptly. Hart truly cares for his clients and will fight hard to get the best possible outcome. If you are having trouble deciding on an attorney, look no further and give Hart Levin a call. You won't regret it. Tony S. Read More Reviews on Yelp Why Trust Attorney Hart J. Levin and His DUI Legal Team? Attorney Hart Levin started in the District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted thousands of criminal cases, including more than 3,000 DUIs. He left the D.A.’s office years ago to lead what is now recognized as the best DUI defense law firm in California. Hart and his associates have 70 years of combined experience successfully defending clients from serious felony charges and from DUIs that could destroy their lives. The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin has been ranked as the number one DUI firm and highest in client satisfaction. The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin continues to achieve among the highest number of DUI dismissals and reduced charges. Highest DUI Dismissal Rate in Southern California We aggressively Defend your Driver’s License Former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney 94% of Clients Receive No Jail Time We aggressively Defend your Driver’s License Highest Rated DUI Attorney on Yelp DUI Lawyer in SAN JOSE, CA Highest Rated DUI Defense Attorneys in california Contact Us! Contact Us! Awards DUI IN SAN JOSE? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT If you are charged with your first California DUI, then you need to know what happens next. As we covered earlier in this blog post, you only have 10 days to demand an administrative hearing at the DM V to challenge your automatic license suspension. Unless you get help from an expert DUI defense lawyer, the negative consequences can accumulate quickly. We will request the hearing on your behalf so you don’t have to navigate a complex DMV system. CALIFORNIA DUI PENALTIES The penalties you could avoid by hiring a DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin include the following possible sentences: DUI 1st Offense Potential jail time of 4 to 6 months Fines of $390 – $1000 Possible probation time of 3 to 5 years 3 or 9 month DUI program Loss of license for 4 months or more Potential Ignition Interlock Device (IID) DUI 2nd Offense Up to 1 year of jail time Fines of $390 – $1000 Probation time of 3 to 5 years 3, 18 months or more DUI program Loss of license for up to 2 years Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in all vehicles DUI 3rd Offense 4 months to 1 year of jail time Fines of $390 – $1000 5 years probation Up to 30 months DUI program Loss of license for up to 3 years Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) (A fourth or subsequent DUI brings even more severe penalties resulting in potentially years in prison.) Aggravating Factors While the penalties outlined above apply to what we might refer to as “standard” DUI charges, the law imposes higher penalties on people convicted in DUI cases involving aggravating circumstances. With the right legal representation, even aggravated DUI charges can be fought to minimize the impact on a defendant’s life. While a longer DUI education program may be required, an exceptional DUI defense lawyer can persuade the prosecutor to amend the charge to reckless driving involving alcohol, known as a “wet reckless.” The primary goal at the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin is to beat the DUI charge entirely, or when necessary, to minimize any negative consequences for our client. Many DUI arrests are made after simple, uneventful traffic stops. But cases involving accidents, high breathalyzer readings, a refusal, or the risk of injury to children are punishable by enhanced penalties. Here is how aggravating circumstances can increase the severity of your charges and the sentence you can face if convicted: DUI Accident Causing Bodily Injury If a driver’s DUI case involves an accident in which someone other than the driver was injured, the prosecutor can file either a misdemeanor or felony DUI charge. The prosecutor will base their decision on the defendant