Los Angeles Out of State DUI Attorney

Out of State DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles

If you currently live in another state and were arrested for DUI (driving under the influence) in California, you may face repercussions both in California and in your home state. This makes having a competent Los Angeles DUI attorney all the more important. California and 44 other states are a part of the International Driver’s License Compact, wherein these states have agreed on the principle, “One Driver, One License, One Record.” These states share information about a person’s driving record. If you are arrested for DUI and are convicted in California, you can expect your home state to impose DMV penalties as well (suspend your license). The only states which are not members of the Driver’s License Compact are Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Massachusetts.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Los Angeles or the surrounding areas, and yet live or have a driver’s license in another state, you will need a Los Angeles DUI lawyer on your side. At Gold & Witham, the attorneys understand how to help drivers with an out of state license fight their DUI in California. In fact, in most misdemeanor DUI cases, a lawyer at the firm may be able to represent you without your presence.   This means that you may be able to go home and let Gold & Witham handle the entire DUI process. Because the firm has a thorough understanding of California law as it applies to driving under the influence cases, we can effectively build one or more of many defenses in your favor and help you avoid a conviction.

Los Angeles Out of State DUI Lawyer

Regardless of what state you live in, if you are arrested for driving under the influence in California and do not have a California driver’s license, the arresting officer cannot confiscate your home state license. Instead, he or she will issue you a slip of paper which informs you that your California driving privileges will be suspended in 30 days. From the date of your arrest, you have 10 days to schedule a DMV hearing with the California Department of Motor Vehicles in order to contest the suspension of your California driving privileges. Additionally, the California DMV will inform your home state’s motor vehicle department of your arrest and conviction if that state is a part of the Driver’s License Compact. If you are convicted, your home state will impose the DMV penalties of your state.

In Los Angeles, when arrested for a DUI, you need to handle your DMV hearing correctly.  If you do not schedule the hearing within ten days of the arrest, your driving privileges in California will be suspended.  It is strongly advised that you contact Gold & Witham to schedule your DMV hearing and represent you at the hearing.  The likelihood of being able to continue to drive in California can be increased with the help of a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer.  There are certain conditions under which the suspension can be waived and this can be pursued by your defense attorney.

Even if you have an out of state driver's license, you still will be facing serious penalities in your DUI charges.  A conviction can mean serious consequences for you, including jail time and steep fines, as well as mandated treatment programs and community service.  It is crucial that you have legal counsel to protect your rights in the California courts.  At Gold & Witham, the attorneys are well-qualified DUI defense lawyers and will protect your rights in court.  In many cases in the past, the charges has been dismissed or reduced, but it is vital that the defense of your case begins without delay in a DUI defense.


A Los Angeles DUI attorney may be the only way you can avoid facing DUI penalties in California and your home state. Because a Los Angeles DUI attorney will understand the laws in California, he or she will have a better chance of defending your case and your charges – no matter what you are facing. At Gold & Witham, the attorney will defend you with knowledge and experience of California law in order to help clients avoid the harsh consequences of a DUI conviction.

Contact a Los Angeles out of state DUI lawyer at Gold & Witham if you have been arrested for a DUI charge and are driving with an out of state driver's license.  Gold & Witham will protect your rights and aggressively defend you in Los Angeles.