Long Beach DUI Attorney

Over 40 Years of Combined DUI Experience. Direct Partner Access.

A DUI arrest sets two separate legal processes in motion at once: a criminal case filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and a DMV administrative proceeding that can suspend your license in 30 days. Both require immediate attention. At Gold & Witham, attorneys Jeffrey Gold and Nigel Witham handle Long Beach DUI defense personally, bringing over 40 years of combined experience to every case. You won’t be handed off to an associate.

Our exclusive focus on DUI law means the defense strategy we build is shaped entirely around DUI evidence, procedure, and outcomes. Most clients come to us through word of mouth or after reviewing our case results, which include DUI dismissals, DMV suspension set-asides, felony reductions, and jail time avoided across Los Angeles County. Past results don’t predict future outcomes, but they reflect how seriously we approach each case.

One deadline matters most right now: you have 10 days from your arrest date to request a DMV Administrative Per Se hearing. Miss that window and your license suspension takes effect automatically. Call us today for a free case evaluation.

Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and start building your defense.

California DUI Laws

Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152, it is unlawful to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, California’s zero-tolerance law sets the threshold at 0.01%.

A DUI charge can arise from a routine traffic stop or a sobriety checkpoint, but the prosecution must still prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were driving and that you were impaired at the time.

In California, DUI offenses fall into two general categories:

• Misdemeanor DUI: Most first, second, and third DUIs within a 10-year period are charged as misdemeanors.
• Felony DUI: A fourth DUI within 10 years, a DUI causing injury or death, or a DUI with prior felony convictions can be charged as a felony.

Beyond criminal penalties, the California DMV imposes administrative penalties, including license suspension, independent of the criminal case. You have 10 days from arrest to request a DMV hearing to challenge that suspension.

Common Types of DUI Charges & Penalties

The penalties you face depend on your BAC, prior convictions, and whether anyone was injured. Below are the charge types we handle regularly for Long Beach clients.

First-Offense DUI

A first-time DUI is typically a misdemeanor but carries significant penalties, including:

• Up to 6 months in county jail
• $390 to $1,000 in fines plus court assessments
• License suspension for 6 months
• 3 to 9 months of DUI school
• Probation of 3 to 5 years

Second-Offense DUI

A second DUI within 10 years can result in:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• 2-year license suspension
• 18 to 30 months of DUI education
• Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)

Third-Offense DUI

A third DUI conviction carries enhanced penalties, including:

• 120 days to 1 year in jail
• 3-year license revocation
• 30-month DUI education program

Felony DUI

Felony DUIs result from causing injury or death or having prior felony DUI convictions. Penalties include:

• Up to 3 years in state prison, with more time possible if injury or death occurred
• 4-year license revocation
• Possible designation as a habitual traffic offender

DUI Causing Injury (VC 23153)

If a DUI results in bodily injury to another person, the offense may be charged as a wobbler, meaning it can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity of the injuries.

Underage DUI (Zero Tolerance)

Drivers under 21 face administrative and criminal penalties for a BAC of 0.01% or higher, including license suspension and mandatory alcohol education.

How We Defend Long Beach DUI Cases

Long Beach DUI cases are prosecuted at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s South District. Depending on the arresting agency and the location of your arrest, some cases proceed at the Airport Courthouse in Inglewood. Jeffrey Gold and Nigel Witham handle cases at both venues and know how local prosecutors and judges approach DUI charges.

Because our work centers entirely on DUI law, our defense approach targets the specific vulnerabilities in DUI evidence: calibration records for breathalyzer devices, chain-of-custody documentation for blood samples, officer training records for field sobriety tests, and dashcam or bodycam footage. Every case gets a strategy built around its own facts.

Common defense approaches include:

• Improper Traffic Stop: If law enforcement stopped you without reasonable suspicion, the stop may be unconstitutional and any evidence gathered could be suppressed.
• Faulty Field Sobriety Tests: These tests are highly subjective and frequently administered improperly.
• Breathalyzer or Blood Test Errors: Testing devices must be properly maintained and calibrated. Human error or contamination can produce false BAC readings.
• Rising BAC Defense: Alcohol levels rise after drinking. Your BAC at the time of testing may not reflect your BAC while you were driving.
• Medical Conditions or Diet: Conditions such as diabetes or GERD, and low-carb diets, can trigger false positives on breath tests.
• Violation of Your Rights: If police mishandled your arrest or failed procedural requirements, evidence may be excludable.

In some Los Angeles County cases, a wet reckless reduction (a plea to reckless driving involving alcohol) may be achievable through negotiation. Availability depends on the facts, the courthouse, and the assigned prosecutorial team. We handle the criminal and DMV tracks in coordination so that decisions in one proceeding don’t undermine the other.

DUI FAQs

Will I Lose My License After a DUI Arrest in Long Beach?

Not automatically. You have 10 days to request a DMV Administrative Per Se hearing to challenge the suspension. If you don’t request one, your license may be suspended after 30 days.

Can I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test?

You can refuse, but under California’s implied consent law, refusal after a lawful arrest triggers an automatic license suspension and additional penalties on top of whatever the criminal case brings.

Can a DUI Be Expunged in California?

In many cases, yes. If you complete probation and meet all required conditions, you may qualify for DUI expungement, which can clear the conviction from your public criminal record.

What Happens If I Hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) & I’m Charged With DUI?

Commercial drivers face stricter standards. Under federal and California law, a first DUI offense triggers a one-year CDL disqualification, even if you were driving your personal vehicle at the time.

How Long Will a DUI Stay on My Record?

A DUI conviction remains on your criminal record permanently. For sentencing purposes, it counts as a prior offense for 10 years.

Talk to a Long Beach DUI Attorney Today

The 10-day DMV deadline doesn’t wait. At Gold & Witham, Jeffrey Gold and Nigel Witham are available around the clock to answer calls and emails, and we offer a free case evaluation so you can understand your options before making any decisions.

Clients work directly with Jeffrey or Nigel, not a junior associate. If you’re looking for a Long Beach DUI defense attorney who handles these cases every day, we’re ready to hear from you.

When you need reliable answers and steady guidance, call (800) 716-6791 and set up your appointment today.