Los Angeles DUI Lawyer

Were you arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, CA? If so, you could be facing jail time, hefty fines, license suspension, and other consequences. With so much on the line, it’s crucial to hire a skilled attorney who can protect your rights and fight for your best interests. 

The Law Office of Ryan Peabody has over 12 years of experience advocating for people accused of driving under the influence. We understand the severity of a criminal conviction and how it can impact your life. You’ll want our Los Angeles DUI lawyer in your corner as you navigate the legal system. 

Call our criminal defense law firm at (310) 709-2000 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We’ll discuss the DUI charges against you and develop a defense strategy to move forward.

How the Law Office of Ryan Peabody Can Help If You’ve Been Charged With a DUI in Los Angeles, CA 

How the Law Office of Ryan Peabody Can Help If You’ve Been Charged With a DUI in Los Angeles, CA

If you’re charged with driving under the influence in Los Angeles, California, legal representation is the best way to protect yourself. Prosecutors are primarily concerned with getting convictions, and they have vast resources at their disposal. 

Put yourself on equal footing by hiring our skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys. Attorney Ryan Peabody was a public defender for over a decade before opening his own legal practice. He knows how prosecutors work and think, and he has extensive experience representing clients in the courtroom.

With the Law Office of Ryan Peabody on your side, you’ll have a Los Angeles DUI attorney who will: 

  • Evaluate the criminal charges against you and explain your legal rights
  • Look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as constitutional violations
  • Gather evidence proving your innocence or challenging the validity of chemical test results
  • File motions to suppress any illegally obtained evidence, such as anything gathered after an unlawful stop or illegally obtained blood without consent, exigent circumstances, or a warrant, also likely to result in the case being dismissed.
  • Negotiate with state prosecutors to have your DUI charges reduced or dismissed and for you to keep your license and remain on the road
  • Advocate for you in DMV administrative hearings and court proceedings

A robust defense is essential if you’re facing DUI charges. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles, CA.

Overview of California’s DUI Laws

Under California law, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle if: 

  • You’re under the influence of alcohol
  • Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or more, determined by a chemical test
  • You’re under the influence of drugs
  • Your BAC is 0.04 or more, if you’re driving a commercial vehicle or rideshare
  • You’re under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol

Note that under the statute, you don’t have to have a certain BAC to be charged with drunk driving. For instance, if a police officer observes you swerving your vehicle or smells alcohol on your breath, you can be charged with a DUI.

Additionally, you could face a drug crime charge on top of a DUI if law enforcement finds an illegal controlled substance in your vehicle.

In most cases, a DUI is charged as a misdemeanor in the state of California. However, aggravating factors can result in felony DUI charges.

Felony DUI in California

A DUI can be charged as a felony in California if: 

  • You have three or more DUI and/or reckless driving convictions in the last ten years
  • You caused bodily harm or death when driving under the influence
  • You have a prior felony DUI conviction

If your DUI is charged as a felony, you will be subject to harsher penalties. If you injure or kill someone, you can also be held liable for damages in a civil court.

What Are the Potential Penalties for a DUI Conviction in California? 

The penalties for a California DUI conviction depend on many different factors, such as: 

  • Whether it’s your first offense or you have prior convictions on your record
  • Whether you caused injury or death 
  • The presence of a minor in your vehicle when you were pulled over
  • Whether you were driving on a suspended license
  • Whether you were on probation when you were charged with impaired driving

California law imposes different penalties depending on whether you have a prior DUI conviction within the last decade. 

For a first-time DUI offense, you could face:

  • 96 hours to six months in jail
  • $390 to $1,000 in fines
  • Driver’s license suspension
  • Probation
  • Requirement to complete a drug or alcohol program

For a second or third DUI offense, your incarceration time could increase to up to one year. Additionally, your license suspension period increases. You may also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. With this device, if there’s any alcohol detected on your breath, your car won’t start.

If this is your fourth DUI in ten years, you could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. You will also be designated a habitual traffic offender for three years.

For vehicular manslaughter that occurred while you were intoxicated, you could face between four to ten years in prison.

As you can see, the punishment for a DUI conviction is substantially dependent on the circumstances. Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will evaluate your charges and help you understand the potential penalties associated with them. 

DMV Administrative Penalties

When you’re arrested for a DUI in California, your license is automatically suspended. The arresting officer will take your license and forward it to the DMV. They will also issue an Order of Suspension and a temporary license (valid for 30 days). 

You have ten days to request an administrative hearing to contest the suspension. It is critical to request a hearing, because at a minimum it enables you to keep driving until you have the hearing which is often much later than when the suspension would have gone into effect. It’s best to have a knowledgeable Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer represent you at this hearing. There may be compelling evidence your attorney can submit that results in the DMV reinstating your driving privileges.

The license suspension period varies depending on various factors. It could be anywhere between four months to multiple years. The time frame increases if you have prior DUI convictions or refused to take a chemical test (such as a breathalyzer).

In some cases, you may be eligible for a restricted license to drive to work, but you’ll likely be required to install an IID.

Collateral Consequences of a DUI Conviction

On top of criminal and administrative penalties, it’s important to note that a criminal record can result in many collateral consequences. These are personal to you. 

Examples include:

  • The suspension or revocation of your professional license
  • The loss of certain rights, such as driving privileges
  • Trouble keeping or finding employment
  • Child custody and visitation implications
  • Immigration issues

An experienced DUI attorney can work to minimize the range of consequences that you could face. Call us today for effective, aggressive legal representation.

What Defenses Might Be Available in a Los Angeles DUI Case?

A lot can go wrong in the legal process in the context of a DUI crime. Police officers, investigators, and prosecutors are trying to build a case against you. However, they must respect your constitutional rights, or their evidence could be excluded from consideration. 

That’s where having an experienced DUI attorney in Los Angeles can really help. Your attorney will look for any misconduct that could help your case. 

Attorney Ryan Peabody delves deep into every client’s criminal matter to look for points of advantage. He can raise affirmative defenses and expose weaknesses in your case. 

Some potential defense strategies in a Los Angeles DUI case include: 

  • Contesting the validity of chemical tests, such as breath tests or blood tests
  • Challenging the results of your field sobriety test, which are typically unreliable
  • Proving a constitutional violation, such as an unlawful stop or lack of probable cause to arrest you
  • Demonstrating that there was an issue with the chain of custody (for example, your blood sample was improperly collected or stored)
  • The rising blood alcohol defense
  • Proving that you weren’t actually impaired (for example, your lack of balance was due to fatigue or nerves rather than alcohol)
  • Showing that any other police misconduct occurred, such as failure to read your Miranda rights prior to an interrogation

These and other defenses may be available in your California DUI case. We can identify the best strategy based on your unique situation. 

Schedule a free case assessment with our criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA.

Contact a Los Angeles DUI Defense Attorney for a Free Initial Consultation

Have you been charged with a DUI in Los Angeles, CA? If so, it’s essential to seek the help of an experienced criminal attorney. The Law Office of Ryan Peabody is here to provide the support and guidance you need and deserve. 

We have over 12 years of experience navigating California’s complex justice system. We know how to fight DUI charges and protect people from unjust outcomes. We’ll ensure that your legal rights are respected throughout your case. 

Call our law firm today to request a free case evaluation with a skilled DUI lawyer in Los Angeles, CA.

Visit Our Criminal Defense Law Firm in Los Angeles, CA

Law Office of Ryan Peabody
5757 W Century Blvd #722
Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
(310) 709-2000

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