Best Los Angeles DUI Lawyers (2025)

DUI Laws in California

Every state has its own laws prohibiting driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. (In some states the offense is called DWI, or “driving while intoxicated.”) California’s DUI laws define when a driver is intoxicated and the penalties for drunken drivers. Knowing some basics will help you understand your rights and options if you are charged with a DUI offense.

California law enforcement officials may stop your vehicle if they observe unlawful or unusual behavior or have reasonable suspicion you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are stopped for an unrelated traffic violation and the officer reasonably suspects you are impaired, you may be asked to complete field sobriety tests. If this testing gives the officer probable cause, you may be placed under arrest for DUI.

The California Highway Patrol and the LAPD also conduct routine sobriety checks. You may be stopped at a designated roadblock and asked to complete field sobriety tests if they suspect you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These checkpoints must comply with many regulations to ensure they don't infringe on drivers' rights. If you were charged with DUI after a checkpoint stop, a lawyer may question the legality of how the officials operated the roadblock.

Legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in California

In California, a driver can be arrested and charged with DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is 0.08% or higher, regardless of whether they demonstrate actual physical impairment. Drivers under 21 or on probation for a DUI can’t legally have a blood-alcohol content of .01% percent or higher.

Hired motorists (such as rideshare or limo drivers) or other commercial drivers (vehicles that require a commercial driver’s license, or CDL) can’t have a BAC higher than .04%. Drivers with a BAC of .15% or higher face more severe penalties.

You can also be arrested if you show signs of being impaired by alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or prescription medication such that you are unable to safely operate a vehicle. If there is evidence that you intended to drive while impaired, such as falling asleep with your keys in the ignition, you may also face DUI charges.

Implied Consent Laws in California

By driving on the roads in California, you give your "implied consent" to undergo chemical testing (such as breath, blood or urine tests) to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC) if you are lawfully arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI).

Refusing to consent to this testing is punishable by a fine and immediate imprisonment. Your driver's license will be suspended for up to a year (two years if it occurs within ten years of a previous vehicle-related conviction, such as a DUI or reckless driving charge).

DUI Penalties in California

California DUI laws changed in 2024. Possible penalties for a DUI conviction in California include fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, ignition interlock device requirements, community service and imprisonment. The penalties increase if you have prior DUI convictions and based on the circumstances of the offense.

Most California DUIs are charged as "misdemeanor offenses," the lowest class of criminal charges. Typically, a driver's first, second and third DUI charges with no aggravating factors will be charged as misdemeanors. The most common punishment includes 96 hours of imprisonment in the county jail, probation and fines along with license suspension or restriction. However, judges have broad discretion to implement stricter sentencing.

If you have been convicted of a reckless driving charge within ten years of a DUI conviction, you may face 90 days to a year of imprisonment in county jail and a fine between $390 and $1,000. Some aggravating circumstances can upgrade the misdemeanor DUI charge to a felony.

Some circumstances can increase the severity of your DUI charge to a felony. These "aggravating factors" include:

• Driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle.
• Causing an accident where a person is harmed or killed.
• Behaving in a belligerent and combative manner toward officers.

If you get convicted of a felony DUI in California, the punishments can include as much as three years in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Some aggravating circumstances will also result in other charges, such as reckless driving or involuntary manslaughter. If you have caused injuries to other drivers or passengers, you may also face a civil lawsuit. Jury verdicts and settlements in DUI injury cases are often substantial.

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in Los Angeles?

The cost of a Los Angeles DUI attorney depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the attorney's level of experience, your previous criminal history and the nature of the charges.

Los Angeles DUI attorneys typically charge between $200 and $500 per hour (compared to the national average of $260/hour). If they can resolve your case quickly, it may cost a few thousand dollars. More complicated cases can cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys' fees.

Some attorneys may offer flat rate representation, which means the price is fixed and doesn't change. This is often the case for straightforward misdemeanor DUI charges that do not involve injury or any aggravating factors. The flat-rate cost of an LA DUI attorney can range from $2,500-$6,000, largely depending on the lawyer's experience.

In addition to attorney's fees, you may also have to cover the cost of bail, court fees and licensing fees. If you accept a plea bargain or are convicted at trial, you may have to pay fines, penalties and other costs directed by the court. The total cost of a DUI in California, including attorney’s fees, court costs, penalties and license reinstatement costs, is often close to $10,000, even for simple misdemeanor charges.

Although hiring a DUI attorney can seem expensive, having experienced representation increases the chance of successfully defending against DUI charges or negotiating a reduction in the severity of charges. This can save you thousands of dollars in fines, fees and car insurance premiums over time.

How Can an Attorney Help You?

An experienced DUI attorney will help you understand the court process and the options available to you. They will evaluate your case, identifying any weaknesses in the prosecution's case against you, possible defenses and mitigating factors that could entitle you to leniency. This could include:

• Challenging your arrest and detention based on constitutional or civil rights violations.
• Raising procedural issues (such as mistakes or omissions in the arrest report).
• Questioning the results, accuracy or integrity of the chemical testing.
• Challenging how field sobriety testing was performed.
• Challenging the legality of a DUI checkpoint or individual traffic stop.
• Arguing you had no intent to drive under the influence (if you were arrested while "sleeping it off," for example).

A lawyer will represent you at your court appearances and work with you to build the best possible defense. They can also help you explore your eligibility for any diversion programs or other avenues to avoid a criminal conviction.

They may also negotiate a plea agreement, such as a "wet reckless” or “wet and reckless," where you agree to plead either guilty or no contest to a lesser charge of reckless driving. Such a plea bargain does result in a conviction, which will appear on your criminal record. However, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor is less damaging than a felony conviction.

An attorney will ensure you know your responsibilities under the terms of a plea bargain and help you understand the collateral consequences of accepting a plea. For example, a wet reckless conviction can be considered an aggravating factor if you are charged with another DUI in the next ten years. Additionally, even a misdemeanor DUI conviction may affect your immigration status and your ability to travel to other countries.

An experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer will be far more effective in negotiating a reduction of charges, exploring alternative sentencing options and presenting your case to a jury than if you try to represent yourself.

How to Hire a Los Angeles DUI Attorney

Finding the right DUI lawyer depends on your needs. If you have no previous DUI convictions and are facing simple misdemeanor charges, you may choose to hire a more economical attorney. On the other hand, if you have multiple convictions, were involved in an accident that caused injury or death or face aggravated felony charges, you should ensure an attorney has the experience and resources to defend your case aggressively.

You should address the following issues when evaluating potential candidates.

• Previous experience. Many LA DUI lawyers started their legal careers prosecuting DUI offenses. Attorneys who previously worked for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office have firsthand experience handling these cases and understand all the options and defenses that may be available for you. Many have relationships with and are respected by the lawyers currently working as prosecutors, which can help them negotiate better outcomes.
• Knowledge and resources. Some lawyers focus on DUI cases, while others handle many types of criminal defense matters. Be sure your lawyer has handled enough DUI cases to firmly understand the defense process. If you are facing felony or aggravated charges, ensure your lawyer has the ability and resources to mount a vigorous defense.
• Track record of success. You can ask for examples of successful outcomes in DUI defense cases. While client details are confidential, they should be able to provide you with some general results.
• Trust and communication. You should feel comfortable communicating with your attorney in the manner and language you prefer. You must be able to understand and trust your lawyer.
• Payment of fees. Many DUI attorneys in Los Angeles accept credit cards, offer payment plans or work on a sliding fee schedule. Ask whether they charge an hourly rate or a fixed fee for DUI defense and make sure you understand their fee arrangement.

Working with an experienced, skilled Los Angeles DUI attorney can help ensure that DUI charges don't derail your future. Contact an attorney today for a consultation.