Skip to content
California DUI Defense Attorneys
Serving clients in Southern California
California takes a tough stance on drunk driving. Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is illegal in the state. The offense is punishable with penalties like fines, jail time and a loss of driving privileges.
Even a first-time DUI conviction comes with harsh consequences, as well as a criminal record that can affect your reputation and livelihood. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you need an experienced DUI defense lawyer who will protect your rights when your freedom is on the line.
We help you navigate complex drunk driving laws.
Drunk driving is a big problem in Southern California. Los Angeles has a DUI rate that is 8 percent higher than the national average. Around 26 percent of the county’s fatal motor vehicle accidents arise from alcohol.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people are killed in drunk driving accidents each year. The California Department of Motor Vehicles reported that alcohol-related fatal accidents rose 5.8 percent in 2017. Of the total number of crash fatalities that year, a little over 33 percent involved alcohol.
Fighting a DUI Charge
Many people who are arrested for DUI in California assume their case is hopeless. This could not be further from the truth.
Law enforcement officers and prosecutors want you to believe they have airtight, science-based evidence against you. In reality, the methods used to prove drunk driving charges are not rock solid. Often, even cases with strong evidence do not hold up in court. A skilled DUI defense lawyer knows how to find the weak spots in a case.
Your lawyer may be able to negotiate a favorable plea deal on your behalf. In some cases, a prosecutor may offer to reduce a DUI charge to a wet reckless plea. A wet reckless plea is a non-DUI reckless driving charge with lighter penalties and no automatic driver’s license suspension.
Considerations in a DUI Defense
Whether your rights were violated during an arrest
Faulty or uncalibrated breathalyzers
Blood test errors that result in falsely high BAC readings
Witness testimony
Contradictory audio or video evidence
Whether police officers failed to follow standard procedures
Increase your odds of winning
Amicus Legal Group has developed strategies for poking holes in all types of questionable DUI evidence. With an aggressive California DUI defense lawyer in your corner, the charges can be dismissed entirely or defeated at a jury trial. If a case cannot be won outright, we can fight for reduced charges or penalties.
Increase your odds of winning
Amicus Legal Group has developed strategies for poking holes in all types of questionable DUI evidence. With an aggressive California DUI defense lawyer in your corner, the charges can be dismissed entirely or defeated at a jury trial. If a case cannot be won outright, we can fight for reduced charges or penalties.
The median BAC of a convicted DUI offender was 0.16 in 2016, which is double the state’s legal limit of 0.08.
DUI in California
In 2018, 27 percent of drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher were between the ages of 21 and 24 nationwide. The age group with the second-highest percentage of drunk drivers was 25-to-34-year-olds, accounting for 26 percent.
That same year, California had a total of 127,250 DUI arrests, of which 474 were for individuals under the age of 18. This marked an increase from 123,548 statewide DUI arrests in 2017. Of those, 4,944 were felony arrests. DUI arrests decreased by 5 percent in 2017.
Among convicted DUI offenders arrested in 2016, 73 percent were first-time offenders and 27 percent were repeat offenders. Almost three-quarters of DUI arrests that year led to convictions.
Overview of California DUI Laws
Under California law, drivers aged 21 or over are allowed to have a maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent. Anything above that number is likely to result in an arrest.
California DUI Laws Also Apply to Drugs
Under California law, drivers aged 21 or over are allowed to have a maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent. Anything above that number is likely to result in an arrest.
California DUI laws also apply to drugs. Remember though, the drugs do not have to be illegal in order for you to be charged with a DUI. Even common prescription or over-the-counter medications that affect driving ability can lead to a DUI charge. Painkillers and Benadryl are some examples.
Whether you are charged with DUI for alcohol or drugs, the penalties are the same. The difference is that a drug DUI does not carry an administrative license suspension. Your license will only be suspended upon conviction. You may also face drug possession charges.
There are situations in which a person with a lower BAC can still be charged with a DUI, which include:
-
Commercial drivers who have a BAC level of 0.04 percent or higher.
-
Drivers under the age of 21 with a BAC level of 0.01 percent or higher
-
Drivers under the age of 18 who have any amount of alcohol in their system
DUI Penalties in California
California classifies DUI as a misdemeanor. The penalties get harsher with each subsequent offense, with a fourth DUI offense being charged as a felony. A DUI conviction can result in serious penalties. Having a drunk driving charge on your record will not just harm your reputation, but it can also restrict your freedoms, such as your ability to drive.
DUI Penalties in California
California classifies DUI as a misdemeanor. The penalties get harsher with each subsequent offense, with a fourth DUI offense being charged as a felony. A DUI conviction can result in serious penalties. Having a drunk driving charge on your record will not just harm your reputation, but it can also restrict your freedoms, such as your ability to drive.
Along with a driver’s license suspension, punishment for a DUI conviction can include:
Fines
Jail time or probation
Community service
Driver improvement program like a DUI training school
Ignition interlock device on your vehicle
Aggrivating Factors in DUI Cases
There are also other factors that can complicate drunk driving cases and lead to additional penalties for the driver. For example, a DUI charge may be “upgraded” if the driver has a history of drunk driving convictions. Here are some possible aggravating factors in a California DUI case that may lead to enhanced penalties:
-
The driver had a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher
-
A minor was inside the vehicle at the time of the DUI arrest
-
The driver was speeding or driving recklessly
-
The driver was involved in a motor vehicle accident
-
The driver injured or killed another party
-
The driver refused to take a breath or blood test
The right attorney makes all the difference.
Having an experienced DUI defense lawyer on your side can make all the difference when navigating complex drunk driving laws. Amicus Legal Group can fight for a reduced penalty on your behalf and help minimize the harshest consequences of a DUI conviction.
Do I Have to Take a Breath or Blood Test in California?
The short answer is yes. Most California DUI arrests begin when a driver is pulled over in a traffic stop or at a checkpoint. The police officer will typically ask you to perform field sobriety tests and take a breath or blood test. Many people do not realize that refusing to take a breath or blood test is illegal and can result in tougher penalties. If you are arrested for DUI, there are two main types of chemical tests you can be asked to take.
Will I Lose My Driver’s License if I am Arrested for DUI in California?
It is possible to contest a license suspension, but you only have 10 days to request a DMV hearing. Here is what you need to know:
Arrest & Notice of Suspension
When you are arrested for drunk driving, your driver’s license will be taken away and you will not be able to drive anymore. A police officer will give you a notice of suspension that serves as your temporary driver’s license, which expires in 30 days.
Request a DMV Hearing
You have 10 days after your DUI arrest to request a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearing. If you miss this deadline, you give up your right to a hearing and will face an automatic administrative license suspension once the 30 days expire.
Talk to an Attorney
Hiring a DUI defense lawyer to represent you at your DMV hearing can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome. The lawyer will challenge the evidence against you and examine witnesses, such as by questioning whether your arrest was lawful or not.
The California DUI defense attorneys at Amicus Legal Group understand the ins and outs of DMV hearings. We will fight to protect your driving privileges and convince the DMV not to suspend your license. We can also use the hearing as an opportunity to gather evidence that may prove useful in court later. For example, subpoenaing breathalyzer maintenance logs can reveal a history of inaccurate readings.
What a DUI Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
Fortunately, a DUI arrest does not mean game over.
Getting arrested for drunk driving in California can be overwhelming. When you are facing DUI charges, your freedom and driving privileges are at risk. Although the majority of DUI offenses are misdemeanors, they can have lasting consequences on your reputation.
You have legal options
You have legal options such as getting your charges reduced, negotiating a less severe punishment or even walking away free. Having a qualified DUI defense attorney on your side is essential for avoiding the harsh consequences that come with a drunk driving charge.
Build your defense
Among other things, your attorney will answer all your questions, explain the legal process to you, thoroughly investigate the charges, gather evidence and build a strong DUI defense strategy.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Amicus Legal Group
If you have been arrested for DUI in California, contact Amicus Legal Group right away to discuss your legal options.
We represent clients in San Bernardino County, Riverside County and throughout the Los Angeles area. Schedule a free consultation to speak to a qualified California DUI defense lawyer today.
We have years of experience helping clients beat DUI charges and a deep knowledge of California’s drunk driving laws. From representing you at your DMV hearing to fighting your case in court, we are with you every step of the way. Our top-notch DUI defense lawyers aim to get the best possible outcome in your case.
Client Testimonials
Derrick J.
John-Paul is well known in our community as a smart and effective criminal defense lawyer who is sensitive to his clients’ situations and responsive to their needs. I refer my clients to him with confidence when they need help with the criminal justice system.
Lawrence Brock
John-Paul took my civil case when no one else would because other lawyers didn’t have confidence in my daughter who has special needs to testify, if needed. John-Paul won her case against the school district without a jury because he cared about my child, believed she was honest and deserved justice. He still doesn’t mind taking my calls whenever I have a question regarding her case.
Dionne L.
I had the pleasure of working a very large scale drug case with Mr. Serrao, representing co-defendants. Mr. Serrao was a pleasure to work with. Highly skilled and very aggressive in his advocacy on his client’s behalf. I highly recommend Mr. Serrao for anyone looking for a criminal defense attorney.
Babak Farahan
John-Paul is a superb attorney. He was my mentor when I was in law school, and now as an attorney I still go to him for advice on complex cases. When my brother required representation I referred him to John-Paul. That is how highly I think of JP as an attorney. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs representation.
Kit Westbrook
Occasionally you meet another attorney who is so impressive both personally and professionally that you want to be affiliated with them in any way you can both personally and professionally. That is how I feel about John-Paul. I not only consider him one of the finest attorneys I know, but I now proudly call him my friend. He is among the very best.
David Booth
John-Paul is an extremely effective criminal defense attorney. The one thing that makes him stand out from other defense attorneys is that he talks to his clients to learn the circumstances surrounding their incident and then he makes a forceful and articulate argument in defense of his clients. I recommend my clients to John-Paul when they are in need of a criminal defense attorney because I know he will stand up for them.
Stephen Rinka
Attorney John Paul-Serrao helped us to win our case against the insurance company after we were involved in a traffic accident where our car was rear ended, we tried to handle it ourselves with the insurance company and they did not want to cooperate with us, so we hired Mr. Serrao and he was able to get us a settlement above with the insurance company was willing to pay. I would highly recommend him.