Lakewood DUI Lawyer

Get a DUI Attorney Near Me

If you stand accused of a DUI charge in Lakewood you face tough odds. The penalties for DUI include incarceration, steep fines and a suspended driver’s license. In many cases, a DUI can even affect your career. That’s why we believe every DUI defendant deserves the best possible defense. One mistake should not derail your life.

The best way to protect yourself is to get a Lakewood DUI lawyer. They have the knowledge and experience necessary to defend your case and improve your chances of winning. Our DUI lawyer in Los Angeles may be able to help you avoid jail time and keep your license. They also routinely save their clients thousands of dollars in fines.

The Cost of a DUI

over 100 DUI arrests a year. These cases are prosecuted with vigor, as they represent a major source of revenue for the courts. Fines and fees for DUI have spiraled out of control and it has become one of the most expensive misdemeanors on the books.

The penalties for DUI are set forth by the California Vehicle Code. They’re stiff even for a first offense and only get worse for repeat offenders. The penalties for a first time DUI include:

• Jail time. If you’re convicted you will be sentenced to at least 48 hours in the county jail, and you could face up to 6 months.
• Fines and fees. You’ll end up at least $1,800 worse off—including the minimum fine of $390 and a staggering variety of court fees.
• Loss of your license. You will lose your right to drive for a minimum of four months, and easily a year or more.
• Mandatory DUI school. This will take months to complete and cost at least $500.

If you have any previous DUI conviction the penalties could become much harsher. You might face jail time of up to a year, or more than a year in state prison. Financial penalties can rise up to $18,000. Depending on the circumstances, your case could even be tried as a felony—affecting your job prospects for life.

What Happens When You Get a DUI?

Lakewood doesn’t have its own police department. Instead, you were most likely arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, or the local branch of the California State Police. Most DUI cases are then booked at the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station. After you’ve been processed you’ll be released and the next phase of your legal battle will begin. There are several hurdles before you, each with a deadline:

• The DMV Hearing. In California your license will be automatically suspended even before you’re convicted of DUI. This suspension takes effect 30 days after the date of your arrest. You have only one chance to fight this suspension, and it requires acting fast—you might request a hearing with the DMV within 10 days of your arrest. It is strongly recommended that you have a DUI lawyer represent you at this hearing. They can also file the request for you and help make sure you don’t miss the deadline.
• The Arraignment. This is a preliminary hearing that will happen a few weeks after your arrest. During the hearing you will enter your plea and get a date for your court trial. It’s important to hire your DUI lawyer before the arraignment if possible. They will advise you on what plea to enter and work to pressure the prosecution, hopefully securing you a better outcome.
• Trial Preparation. There is a gap of several months or more between the arraignment and the trial. Do not waste this time. This is time your lawyer can spend communicating the prosecution, reviewing their evidence, subpoenaing evidence of their own, and preparing your case. It is during this time that a DUI lawyer is most likely to force the prosecution to offer you a better deal or drop the case.
• The Trial. Your trial will most likely be held at the Bellflower Courthouse. In many cases you will not actually go to trial, as your lawyer will help you resolve your case favorably before the court date. If you do go to court, however, your lawyer will work tirelessly to get you acquitted. DUI defendants win their cases all the time, going home a free person.

Do You Need a DUI Lawyer?

If you were arrested for DUI you may feel like your case is hopeless, but it isn’t. DUI lawyers regularly turn around even the toughest cases, often despite very strong evidence. They use a variety of strategies to do this:

• Challenging the validity of the arrest. Sometimes the police make mistakes when they arrest a driver. They may have broken procedures designed to protect your rights. If that’s the case, your lawyer may be able to get the whole case thrown out.
• Finding holes in the evidence. Breath and blood test data is not always right. These tests can be performed incorrectly, both in the lab and on the roadside. Your lawyer will know what to look for to question the accuracy of the evidence against you, possibly getting it suppressed in court.
• Research. How do the arresting officer’s statements today match up with what they said the night of the arrest? Are there any inaccuracies in their report? What about video evidence—does it support what they say, or contradict it? An experienced DUI lawyer will look for any weakness in the case against you and exploit it.
• Negotiation. Many DUI cases end without ever going to court. If your lawyer can weaken the prosecution’s case enough, they may drop the charges against you or downgrade them to something less serious.

These tactics can transform your case. Although no lawyer can guarantee a win, they can navigate the legal system for you and give you the best chance of success. Even in the toughest case, it’s possible that you will get a generous deal or be found Not Guilty.

How to Find the Best DUI Lawyer

The public defender appointed by the court is likely short on time and resources, and they don’t focus exclusively on DUI cases. You need a DUI lawyer to maximize your chances of success—and the more knowledgeable they are, the better. Here’s what to look for to find a lawyer you can trust:

• They focus on DUI. You want a lawyer that works on nothing but DUI cases and related charges. They will have far more experience than lawyers who only dabble in DUI.
• They’ve won cases just like yours. A strong track record speaks for itself, and a good DUI lawyer should be able to explain how they’ve represented clients in similar cases and won.
• They have the credentials to back it up. In law, extra training or certification really does make a difference. A DUI lawyer who is truly devoted to their practice will regularly attend seminars and classes and have other credentials showing that they’ve honed their skills.
• They offer you a free consultation. You should have a chance to meet with a lawyer, learn how they would handle your case, and get to know their approach—without getting a bill. A free consultation is a must.

Take Charge of Your Case

This site exists to connect you with the right DUI lawyer for your case. We do not charge for this, and we work only with qualified, Lakewood area DUI lawyers. You just provide us with a few basic details and we’ll pair you with a top lawyer who offers a FREE consultation.

The sooner you have a lawyer, the more they can help your case. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Fill out the form to the right call us at (310) 896-2724 and get your free consultation today.

Serving Drivers Across Lakewood and the Surrounding Area

We defend drivers arrested across Lakewood and the surrounding Gateway Cities, including Lakewood Village, the Mayfair area, Carson Park, and the neighborhoods around the Lakewood Center mall, as well as neighboring Bellflower, Long Beach, and Cerritos. Whether you were stopped on the 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway), the 91, or the 405, pulled over along Lakewood Boulevard or Del Amo Boulevard, or arrested near the Lakewood Center mall, we handle DUI cases throughout the 90712, 90713, and 90715 ZIP codes and the rest of the Gateway Cities.

A Lakewood DUI moves on two tracks at once. Lakewood DUI cases are heard at the Bellflower Courthouse, which serves the Southeast District. At the same time, the DMV opens a separate Administrative Per Se (APS) action through the Los Angeles-area 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 Lakewood 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.

Lakewood 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 →

Lakewood DUI FAQs

What is the best defense for a Lakewood DUI?

There is no single best defense—the right strategy depends on the facts of your stop and arrest. In Lakewood 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.

Do you really need a lawyer for a DUI in Lakewood?

You are not legally required to hire one, but a DUI triggers two separate cases at once: the criminal case, prosecuted at the Bellflower Courthouse, 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.

What happens at the DMV hearing after a Lakewood DUI?

After a Lakewood DUI arrest you have only 10 days to request a DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing, or your license is automatically suspended. The hearing is short and can be held in person or by phone, and it focuses on three questions: whether the officer had reasonable cause to believe you were driving under the influence, whether you were lawfully arrested, and whether your BAC was 0.08% or higher. A lawyer can subpoena the arresting officer and use the hearing to gather evidence for your criminal case.

Is it worth it to fight a Lakewood 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.