DUI Lawyer in Buena Park | FREE Consultations

Q: What is the best defense for a Buena Park DUI?

There is no single best defense - the right strategy depends on the facts of your stop and arrest. In Buena Park DUI cases, common defenses include challenging the reason for the traffic stop, questioning the calibration and 15-minute observation period behind the breath (PAS) test, scrutinizing the blood-draw chain of custody, and disputing field sobriety test results. A defense attorney reviews the police report, body-camera footage, and chemical evidence to find the weakness that fits your case under California Vehicle Code 23152.

Q: Is it worth it to fight a Buena Park DUI?

In most cases, yes - even when the evidence looks strong. Breath and blood results do not always hold up, and fighting the charge can lead to a dismissal, an acquittal, or a reduction to a lesser offense with lighter penalties. At minimum, a thorough review of your case gives you the information to make an informed decision instead of simply accepting the first offer. Consultations are free - call (310) 906-4672 to discuss your options 24/7.

Law enforcement in Buena Park does not go easy on crime – and that includes driving under the influence. DUIs are treated as serious criminal charges, and the legal process is often long and complex. You need an excellent Buena Park DUI attorney to build a strong defense.

Los Angeles DUI lawyers are trained to handle tough drunk driving cases, and they know how to examine prosecutor evidence and poke holes in it. Their goal is to keep you out of jail, save money, and possibly even drop all your charges.

If you’ve been arrested in Orange County for driving under the influence of alcohol, it’s time to call our criminal defense attorneys. With one phone call, you can start to protect yourself from the consequences of a DUI conviction, consequences that could last the rest of your life.

Is Fighting a DUI Charge Through a Buena Park DUI Lawyer Worth it?

A DUI conviction in California includes a suspended driver’s license, jail time, crushing fines and fees, and more that can affect you for the rest of your life. Therefore, fighting the charge is in your best interest if you were arrested for DUI. There are ways to reduce or eliminate your charge that you might not know about.

While you will have to pay lawyer fees if you decide to fight your charge, it could be much more expensive not to fight it. Beyond court fines, increased insurance, and possible jail time, a DUI can cost you in other hidden ways. You could lose your job and driver’s license, causing months of lost wages.

A Buena Park DUI attorney will know how to get you the best deal possible if you cannot avoid conviction. With the help of a lawyer, you could negotiate with the prosecutor and the judge to reduce the consequences of your DUI or win your jury trial by arguing persuasively in court.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Buena Park?

After being arrested for DUI by a police officer, most people end up spending a night in jail at the Buena Park Police Department. As soon as you’re detained, the legal process begins. That’s when you can take action by contacting an experienced attorney.

There are three crucial deadlines (that can carry potentially life-changing consequences) involved in the DUI process you need to be aware of if you want to fight your charges.

Driver’s License Suspension

As soon as you’re arrested for the DUI, police will take your driver’s license, and you’ll get a slip of paper that acts as a temporary license. Then, your local California DMV starts putting an administrative suspension on your driver’s license that will take effect 30 days after your arrest—unless you fight it within ten days.

You’ll need to contact the DMV and request a hearing. If you don’t request the hearing within ten days of your arrest, you’ll lose your chance of fighting your license suspension – so act quickly. A DUI lawyer can contact the DMV for you and handle the DMV hearing, allowing you to plead your case for keeping your license.

The Arraignment

This is a short hearing held between a few days to a few weeks following your arrest. The primary purpose of this hearing is for you to plead “guilty” or “not guilty.” However, it’s also a chance for the prosecution to determine whether it will be easy to convict you of DUI.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a DUI defense lawyer on board well before this hearing. You’ll be able to demonstrate to the prosecutor that you plan to fight your charge.

The Trial

If you go to trial, a jury will examine the evidence and decide whether you’re guilty. However, most DUI cases don’t get this far. If all goes well, your lawyer can secure a fair plea bargain or dismiss your charges well before the trial date.

This is why it’s crucial to speak with a DUI lawyer in Buena Park as soon as possible after your arrest: they can start building a solid defense early to improve your chances of a favorable outcome without facing trial.

The Penalties of a DUI Charge in Buena Park

California cities are especially tough on DUIs. Beginning in 2011, California has a policy of automatically suspending your driver’s license if you are suspected of DUI. This is known as an administrative suspension or admin per se suspension.

Although this penalty begins as soon as you’re arrested, you can fight your license suspension, as mentioned above, if you contact the California DMV within ten days of your arrest to request a license suspension hearing.

Here are the penalties you may face depending on the number of prior DUI convictions:

First Offense DUI Penalties

Driver’s license suspension for at least four months
Up to six months of jail time
Minimum fine of $390 to $1,000 (with total cost or fines and fees up to $15,649)
Three months of mandatory DUI school
3-5 years probation
Possible installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on your car
Increased car insurance rates

Second Offense DUI Penalties

Driver’s license suspension for up to two years
Up to one year in jail
Fines and fees up to $4,000
Between 18 months and 30 months of DUI school
3-5 years probation|
Mandatory installation of IID device on your car

Third Offense DUI Penalties

Driver’s license suspension for up to three years
Up to one year of jail time or up to 16 months of state prison time
Fines and fees up to $18,000
30 months of DUI school
3-5 years probation
Mandatory installation of IID device on your motor vehicle

Fourth Offense DUI Penalties

Driver’s license suspension for up to four years with a possible permanent suspension
Up to 16 months of state prison time
Fines and fees of up to $18,000
30 months of DUI school
3-5 years of probation
Mandatory installation of IID on your motor vehicle

After a fourth DUI offense, you’ll be considered a convicted felon. A felony is the most serious criminal charge for DUI.

Talk to a Buena Park DUI Lawyer Today

California cracks down on DUIs, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance to fight yours. A DUI lawyer knows how to look at the evidence against you and find weak spots, such as ways your rights were violated during your arrest process and more.

Contact us today for a FREE consultation with a Buena Park-area DUI lawyer about your criminal defense. Call us by phone or fill out the contact form to the right for your free consultation.

Serving Drivers Across Buena Park and the Surrounding Area

We defend drivers arrested across Buena Park and the surrounding North Orange County, including the Buena Park Downtown area, the Knott’s Berry Farm district, and the neighborhoods near The Source OC, as well as neighboring Fullerton, Anaheim, and Cypress. Whether you were stopped on the 5 (Santa Ana Freeway) or the 91 (Riverside Freeway), pulled over along Beach Boulevard or La Palma Avenue, or arrested near Knott’s Berry Farm or the Buena Park Downtown mall, we handle DUI cases throughout the 90620 and 90621 ZIP codes and the rest of North Orange County.

A Buena Park DUI moves on two tracks at once. Buena Park DUI cases are heard at the North Justice Center in Fullerton, which serves north Orange County. At the same time, the DMV opens a separate Administrative Per Se (APS) action through the Santa Ana DMV Driver Safety Office — and you have only 10 days from your arrest to request a hearing before your license is automatically suspended. We handle both the courtroom case and the DMV hearing from day one.

Most Buena Park DUI charges are filed under California Vehicle Code 23152(a) and 23152(b) — the standard 0.08% BAC offenses — with felony exposure under VC 23153 when someone is injured. We challenge the basis for the traffic stop, the calibration and 15-minute observation period behind the preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) breath device, the chain of custody on any blood draw, and the reliability of field sobriety tests. For repeat cases, we address prior convictions, ignition interlock device (IID) requirements, SR-22 insurance filings, and DUI-school terms — and on injury cases, the Watson advisement.

Buena Park DUI cases are handled by trial attorney Michael A. Simmrin (California State Bar No. 238092), a University of Miami School of Law graduate who has tried more than 100 jury trials. Consultations are free and available 24/7 — call (310) 906-4672 to speak with an attorney directly. Learn more about Michael Simmrin →

Buena Park DUI FAQs

What is the best defense for a Buena Park DUI?

There is no single best defense—the right strategy depends on the facts of your stop and arrest. In Buena Park DUI cases, common defenses include challenging the reason for the traffic stop, questioning the calibration and 15-minute observation period behind the breath (PAS) test, scrutinizing the blood-draw chain of custody, and disputing field sobriety test results. A defense attorney reviews the police report, body-camera footage, and chemical evidence to find the weakness that fits your case under California Vehicle Code 23152.

Will three beers put you over California’s 0.08% limit?

It can, but it depends on your weight, sex, how quickly you drank, and whether you ate. For many people, three standard drinks in a short period is enough to reach or exceed the 0.08% blood alcohol limit set by California Vehicle Code 23152(b). You can also be charged under VC 23152(a) for driving while impaired even if your BAC is below 0.08%, so there is no truly safe number of drinks before driving.

Do you really need a lawyer for a DUI in Buena Park?

You are not legally required to hire one, but a DUI triggers two separate cases at once: the criminal case, prosecuted at the North Justice Center in Fullerton, and a DMV Administrative Per Se action that can suspend your license within 10 days of arrest. A lawyer handles both, requests the DMV hearing on time, and can spot defenses most people would miss. For a charge that affects your record, your license, and your job, experienced representation usually makes a meaningful difference.

Is it worth it to fight a Buena Park DUI?

In most cases, yes—even when the evidence looks strong. Breath and blood results do not always hold up, and fighting the charge can lead to a dismissal, an acquittal, or a reduction to a lesser offense with lighter penalties. At minimum, a thorough review of your case gives you the information to make an informed decision instead of simply accepting the first offer. Consultations are free—call (310) 906-4672 to discuss your options 24/7.