Aggressive DUI Defense to Protect Your License, Your Freedom, and Your Future
If you were arrested for DUI in Southern California, the clock starts moving immediately. In California, a DUI is rarely just “one case.” Most people end up facing two tracks at the same time: a DMV license action and a criminal court case. What you do early can affect whether you keep driving, whether key evidence gets preserved and challenged, and how your case ultimately resolves.
Cal-Defender provides focused DUI / DWI defense across Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County. We represent clients facing standard alcohol DUI allegations, high BAC cases, drug DUI, DUI involving alcohol and drugs, refusal allegations, and serious cases involving accidents or injuries. Our job is simple: build an organized defense around the facts, protect your license whenever possible, and fight for the best achievable outcome—whether that means a reduction, a dismissal, or a trial-ready strategy when the state’s proof doesn’t hold up.
If you need help now, call for a confidential case review. In many cases, DMV deadlines are short and often described as a “10-day” window after notice is issued. If you received paperwork related to an Administrative Per Se (APS) suspension, acting quickly can be critical because you may need to request a DMV hearing promptly to challenge the suspension and protect your driving privileges.
DUI in California: The Basics
California DUI cases can involve different statutes depending on what the state alleges. Many cases are charged as standard alcohol DUIs under Vehicle Code 23152(a) (impairment-based) and/or 23152(b) (BAC-based). Other cases involve drugs under Vehicle Code 23152(f), or a combination of alcohol and drugs under Vehicle Code 23152(g). If an injury is alleged, prosecutors often file Vehicle Code 23153, which is frequently charged as a felony. Some cases also include added allegations and consequences such as test refusal, high BAC claims, and child passenger allegations.
Because each type of DUI case is proved differently, the best defense strategy depends on what you’re actually accused of and what the evidence really shows. This page is the hub overview, and the links below take you to dedicated pages for each DUI case type and defense topic.
This page and website provide general information in plain English, not legal advice. Laws and local court/DMV practices vary and can change, so don’t rely on this content for your case—talk to a qualified attorney promptly to review your specific facts, especially if you face charges, a DMV action, or a deadline. In many cases, you’re fighting two battles at once: the DMV process and the criminal court case.
Why Hiring a DUI Lawyer Quickly Matters
Most people don’t realize how fast a DUI case starts moving—especially on the DMV side. A DUI arrest can trigger an Administrative Per Se (APS) action that puts your license at risk before you ever reach the main court dates. At the same time, the prosecutor begins building the criminal case using the police report, bodycam footage, breath or blood results, and witness statements. Early representation helps you respond strategically instead of reacting late.
When you hire a DUI defense attorney early, you give the defense a chance to protect the license track, preserve time-sensitive evidence, and identify legal issues before the case hardens. That can include requesting and preparing for a DMV hearing when it applies, securing video and dispatch timelines, demanding testing records, and spotting problems with the stop, detention, arrest, or testing procedures. It also helps you avoid preventable mistakes—like missing deadlines or making statements that become evidence later.
A DUI conviction can affect employment, professional licensing, immigration status, auto insurance, and future background checks. Even a “standard” DUI can create long-term consequences, which is why the defense strategy should begin immediately.
The Two Battles in Many DUI Cases
The DMV APS Hearing
Many DUI arrests involve a DMV Administrative Per Se action. Depending on the facts, the DMV may attempt to suspend your license based on the officer’s sworn statement and test results—or based on a refusal allegation. If you received an APS notice, there may be a short window to request a hearing, and missing that window can mean losing the ability to challenge the suspension through the DMV process.
At a DMV hearing, your attorney can challenge issues like whether the officer had a lawful reason to stop you, whether the arrest was lawful, whether chemical testing was handled properly, whether a refusal allegation is actually supported by the evidence, and whether the required procedures and paperwork were followed. Even while the criminal case is pending, a strong DMV strategy can be the difference between keeping your ability to drive and losing it early.
The Criminal Court Case
The criminal court case determines whether you end up with a conviction and what penalties the court imposes, including probation terms, fines and assessments, DUI classes, and possible custody time. The court case also includes any enhancement allegations, such as high BAC, accident or injury claims, child passenger issues, or prior DUI history.
In court, a strong defense focuses on the legal foundation (stop, detention, arrest), the reliability of the evidence (FSTs, breath, blood, DRE), and the consistency of the state’s narrative (reports vs. video vs. testimony). When the evidence is weak or flawed, that can create leverage for reductions or dismissals. When resolution is not the right option, trial readiness is often what moves the case.
DUI Cases We Defend
Below are the major DUI case types we handle.
DUI Defense (Standard Alcohol DUI)
Standard alcohol DUI cases often rely on officer observations, field sobriety tests, and breath or blood results, and the defense usually attacks both the legal process and the testing evidence.
More Information: Standard Alcohol DUI
DUI Manslaughter / Fatal DUI Cases
Fatality cases demand an organized defense strategy, expert review, and careful evidence preservation and analysis.
More Information: DUI Manslaughter
Drug and Drugs + Alcohol DUI
Drug DUI cases often rely on subjective observations, DRE evaluations, and lab results that may show presence without proving impairment at the time of driving.
More Information: Drug DUI and Drugs and Alcohol DUI
DUI Test Refusal (VC 23612)
Refusal allegations can trigger harsh DMV consequences and be used against you in court, but many refusal cases involve disputes about advisements, confusion, or inability to complete testing.
More Information: DUI Test Refusal
Under-21 DUI (Zero Tolerance)
Under-21 DUI cases involve different statutes and DMV frameworks, and even low BAC allegations can trigger significant license consequences.
More Information: Under-21 DUI
DUI Causing Injury (VC 23153)
DUI causing injury cases are commonly charged under Vehicle Code 23153 and often become battles over DUI proof, causation, injury claims, and testing reliability.
More Information: DUI Causing Injury
DUI With a Child Passenger (VC 23572)
DUI with a child passenger can add mandatory jail enhancement exposure in some cases and can create additional risks that need careful, evidence-driven handling.
More Information: DUI With a Child Passenger
How We Fight DUI Charges
DUI defense is evidence defense. We build your case by examining every step of the DUI process and looking for errors, weaknesses, and contradictions—because DUI cases are won by details, not assumptions.
The Traffic Stop: Was It Legal?
A lawful stop requires a valid reason. We compare the officer’s stated basis for the stop to the video, dispatch logs, timing, and the actual driving pattern. When the stop is not legally justified, your attorney may be able to challenge what came after it.
Field Sobriety Tests: Were They Reliable?
Field sobriety tests are not perfect, and performance can be affected by uneven surfaces, weather, lighting, footwear, fatigue, stress, injuries, age, and medical conditions. We also evaluate whether instructions were clear and whether the officer’s interpretation is supported by what the video actually shows.
Breath Testing: Accuracy, Calibration, and Operator Error
Breath results are only as reliable as the procedures behind them. We look at device maintenance and calibration history, operator training and procedure, observation periods, timing issues, mouth alcohol problems, and medical explanations such as GERD when relevant.
Blood Testing: Chain of Custody and Lab Issues
Blood tests are not automatically “bulletproof.” We examine chain of custody, storage and handling, contamination or fermentation risk, lab methodology and documentation, and interpretation problems—especially when prosecutors try to stretch “presence” into “impairment.”
Rising BAC Defense
BAC can rise after driving ends, which makes the timeline critical. We analyze the sequence of driving, stop, detention, arrest, and testing to determine whether the test number actually proves BAC at the time of driving.
Checkpoints and DUI Enforcement Operations
Checkpoint cases involve constitutional and procedural requirements. If the operation was not conducted lawfully and consistently, or if the investigation expanded improperly, that can matter.
DUI Penalties in California
Penalties depend on the facts, including priors, BAC level, accident or injury allegations, refusal claims, and county practices. Outcomes also depend on the defense strategy and the strength of the evidence. Many DUI cases involve probation, fines and assessments, DUI school, license restrictions or suspension, IID requirements, and in some cases custody exposure depending on the charge and history.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Requirements
IID rules can vary depending on the county, offense level, and whether the requirement comes from the DMV, the court, or both. Understanding your IID obligations matters for getting back on the road legally and avoiding violations.
Wet Reckless vs DUI
In some cases, a DUI can be reduced to a wet reckless depending on the facts, your record, and how defensible the case is. Whether that outcome is realistic depends on what the evidence shows and what the prosecution can actually prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
What to Do After a DUI Arrest
If your DUI is recent, early steps can protect you. Start by talking to a DUI lawyer quickly so you don’t miss DMV deadlines and so evidence can be preserved and reviewed while it’s still available. Save every document you received, including DMV paperwork, citations, release papers, and towing information. Write down your timeline while your memory is fresh—where you were, what you ate or drank, when you drove, when you were stopped, what tests occurred, and what was said. Avoid discussing the case with anyone but your attorney, because casual statements can become evidence. Then follow your attorney’s plan for the DMV track and the court track so one doesn’t undermine the other.
DUI - DWI Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DUI stay on your record in California?
A DUI can remain on your criminal record and can count as a prior for a significant period. The best approach is to discuss your specific situation and options with a DUI attorney.
Will I lose my license after a DUI?
Many cases trigger a DMV license action, but outcomes vary. A DMV hearing request and a strong DMV strategy can be critical when a hearing applies.
Can I avoid jail for a DUI?
Many first-offense cases resolve without jail time, but every case depends on the facts, priors, enhancements, and the strength of the evidence.
Can you beat a DUI?
Some DUI cases are defensible due to unlawful stops, weak impairment proof, testing problems, or procedural errors. A DUI lawyer can review your evidence and explain the best strategy.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
Fees vary based on complexity, including accidents, injuries, priors, refusal allegations, and whether expert review is needed. A case review is the best way to get a clear fee structure.
Counties & Cities We Serve in Southern California
Cal-Defender represents DUI clients across Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County, and nearby areas. If you’re not sure whether we cover your courthouse or county, call—DUI defense representation is often possible across county lines depending on the case and representation needs.