Los Angeles DUI Court Attorney

California DUI Court Process Lawyer

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you will need a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who understands the entire process in regards to driving under the influence charges. At Gold & Witham, our attorneys have over 40 years of experience in criminal law, and we use this experience coupled with our knowledge of DUI laws and penalties in California in order to guide you through the entire court process with the least amount of headache and time spent on your part. It is important to us that we work with you hand in hand and provide you with a tailor-made defense strategy that addresses your particular needs in order to help you get the best outcome possible.

The DUI court process in California consists of several steps, which we will outline below. If you or someone you know has been charged with driving under the influence, we welcome you to contact our offices for a free initial consultation by a Los Angeles DUI attorney regarding your charges.

Initial DUI Arrest

Any DUI process in Los Angeles will begin with the initial arrest. If an officer observes behavior that indicates that you may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (swerving, speeding, driving too slow), he or she will pull you over and look for outward signs of intoxication. Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol are all indicators of a driver who may have been drinking. The officer may ask you to partake in one or more of a number of field sobriety tests, used to determine if your abilities are impaired. You may be asked to submit to a breathalyzer test to determine your blood alcohol concentration; if this is .08% or higher, or if you failed field sobriety tests, you will be arrested for driving under the influence.

DMV Hearing

After your arrest, you have 10 days to schedule a DMV hearing in which you can dispute the suspension of your driver’s license. Your Los Angeles DUI lawyer can schedule this hearing for you and can represent you at the hearing so you have a better chance of getting your license back. Important note: if you fail to schedule this hearing, your license will be automatically suspended 30 days after your arrest – regardless of whether you are found guilty of DUI in court.

Criminal Case & Criminal Court Process

If the State (the prosecution) decides to press charges, your DUI criminal court process will begin. You will be held in custody until a bail amount is set or you are released on your own recognizance. Your first court appearance will be an arraignment, where you can enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest (your attorney can advise you on what plea to enter). Your attorney may submit a pretrial motion to suppress evidence at your arraignment or before your trial. Your trial is the final step in your DUI process. After your verdict and sentencing are determined, you may be able to appeal the decision.  

If you would like a competent Los Angeles DUI lawyer to guide your driving under the influence case through the entire court process, contact Gold & Witham at (877) WE DO DUI (877-933-6384).