Los Angeles DUI Arrest

About DUI Arrests in Los Angeles, California

A driver will typically face a certain course of events before and during a DUI arrest in Los Angeles. Although the specific circumstances of an arrest may vary depending on the officer who makes the initial stop as well as what the driver may say or do, following is a basic description of a Los Angeles DUI arrest:

• A police officer will notice a driver exhibiting some behavior that may indicate that he or she is driving under the influence, such as swerving, speeding, driving too slowly, running a red light, etc.
• The officer will turn on his or her siren and pull the driver over to the side of the road.
• The officer will ask for the driver's license and registration, taking note of any physical signs of intoxication: slurred speech, any statements the driver may make, bloodshot eyes, open containers of alcohol, etc.
• Depending on his or her observations, the officer may ask the driver to step out of the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests. These are used to gauge the driver's mental and physical abilities to see if they are impaired as a result of alcohol or drug use.
• Upon poor performance on field sobriety tests, the officer will arrest the driver for DUI.
• The arresting officer will confiscate the driver's license and will provide him or her with a "notice of suspension" that will act as a temporary license. The driver will have 10 days to contact his or her local Department of Motor Vehicles Driver Safety Office to schedule a DMV hearing.
• After a driver's arrest, he or she will be taken to the police station where the officer will request that he or she submit to a breath test or blood test.
• If the driver fails or refuses a breath or blood test, he or she will likely face DUI charges.

For more information about DUI arrests and how an attorney can help, contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer at Gold & Witham today.