You’ll work directly with a senior DUI attorney who knows the LA courts and the people in them.
We keep our caseload low so we can focus on every detail of your case — the body-cam footage, the reports, the tests, and the DMV paperwork — so nothing gets overlooked.
We have a 98% client satisfaction rate, a five-star Google rating, and a record of successful outcomes for our clients.
We know the LA courts system and the key prosecutors and judges, plus we handle representation at all area courts, including:
- Airport Courthouse (LAX)
- Metro Courthouse (DTLA)
- Van Nuys Courthouse
- Long Beach Courthouse
- Pasadena Courthouse
- Glendale DMV / Covina Driver Safety Office (DMV hearings)
We fight for dismissals and reductions by challenging illegal stops, flawed tests, and procedural mistakes — and we move fast, because you only have 10 days to protect your license.
Most importantly, we’re available to answer your questions 24/7, we return most calls and texts on the same business day, and our team is honest and compassionate. We don’t believe in scare tactics. We offer clear guidance, real answers, and a team that treats you like a person, not a case number.
How Long Do You Have After a DUI in Los Angeles?
You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a DMV APS (Administrative Per Se) hearing. If you miss that deadline, your driver's license will automatically be suspended.
This process is separate from your criminal case.
Will You Lose Your License after a DUI?
It's possible. If you miss the deadline to request your APS hearing, your license will likely be automatically suspended.
- 10-day deadline: Request a DMV hearing within 10 days or your license is automatically suspended.
- This hearing is separate from your criminal case: The DMV decides your driving privilege; the court handles the criminal case. This means that your license can potentially be suspended twice.
- Lower standard of proof: A DMV hearing officer evaluates the legality of the stop, arrest, and your BAC/refusal.
- Winning your hearing is possible: We can use evidence of faulty breath tests, blood contamination, illegal stops, rising BAC, and missing documentation to challenge your license suspension. And if you don’t win the APS hearing, we’ll help you get an Occupational License.
Related: What is implied consent in California?
APS Suspension Lengths
- First DUI: 4 months (IID available)
- Second DUI: 1 year
- Refusal to test: 1 to 3 years
California DUI Statistics
DUI laws are aggressively enforced, and the statistics back that up. According to a report from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, in 2021:
- There were 110,017 DUI arrests in California
- DUI arrests increased 14.7% year-over-year
- 66.6% of DUI arrests resulted in a conviction
- 23.6% of cases showed no DUI conviction record (reductions, dismissals, or pending)
- The median BAC of convicted drivers was 0.17% (over twice the legal limit)
- 30% of all traffic fatalities involved alcohol
- Los Angeles County alone accounted for 17.8% of all DUI arrests
Prosecutors take DUI cases seriously, and so should your defense.
Los Angeles DUI Penalties
First DUI
- Up to 6 months in jail
- $390–$1,000 fines (often $1,800–$3,000 total)
- 3 to 5 years probation
- 3 to 9-month DUI school program
- 6-month license suspension or IID
Related: Penalties for a first DUI in LA
Second DUI
- 96 hours to 1 year jail
- 18 to 30-month DUI program
- 2-year license suspension
- 1-year IID requirement
Related: Penalties for a second DUI in LA
Third DUI
- 120 days to 1 year in jail
- 30-month DUI program
- 3-year license suspension
- Habitual Traffic Offender status
Enhanced DUI Penalties
You may face harsher penalties if your case involves:
- High BAC (0.15% or higher)
- Accident or injury (felony DUI)
- Child passenger under 14 in the vehicle
- Refusal to submit to testing
- Prior DUI convictions
How We Beat DUI Charges in Los Angeles
We attack every weakness in the prosecution’s case, including:
- Illegal traffic stops (LAPD, LASD, CHP)
- Incorrect or subjective field sobriety tests
- Faulty or uncalibrated breathalyzers
- Blood test contamination or chain-of-custody errors
- BAC testing issues
- Violations of the required 15-minute observation period
- Missing, inconsistent, or flawed police reports
These issues can lead to:
- Case dismissals
- Charge reductions (e.g., wet reckless)
- Not guilty verdicts
Can You Beat a DUI in Los Angeles?
Yes. Michael & Associates beats DUI charges all the time.
Many DUI cases have weaknesses. Statistics show that 23.6% of DUI arrests in California don't result in a recorded DUI conviction.
Evidence errors are common in:
- Traffic stops
- Testing procedures
- Documentation
What Happens After You Contact Michael & Associates?
1. We offer a free consultation – one of our senior trial attorneys will review your case.
2. After you’ve chosen to retain us, we will immediately request your DMV hearing
3. We obtain all police reports, videos, and lab records
4. We challenge evidence and negotiate
5. We represent you at your DMV hearing and all court appearances
6. Your case is resolved – whether through a dismissal, a reduction in charges, a plea agreement, or a trial.
Types of DUI Cases We Handle in Los Angeles
- First-time DUI
- Repeat DUI
- High-BAC DUI
- DUI with accident or injury
- Felony DUI
- THC & drug DUI (DUID)
- Under-21 DUI
- Refusal cases
- Commercial driver DUI
- Hit-and-run DUI
- Probation violations
If it involves DUI in LA County, we handle it.
Sources: Michael & Associates research, California 2022 and 2023 Annual Reports of the California DUI Management Information System from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), nhtsa.gov
