Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles

Advanced defense strategies for BAC challenges, field sobriety errors, and DMV hearing representation.

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Arrested for DUI in Los Angeles?

A DUI arrest can put your license, record, and finances at risk. At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we defend clients facing first-time DUI, multiple DUI, felony DUI, refusal allegations, and DMV license suspension issues in Los Angeles. We move quickly to review the stop, chemical testing, officer observations, and arrest procedures to identify weaknesses in the case and protect your position early.

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Van Nuys criminal lawyer Arash Hashemi providing defense for felony and misdemeanor charges.

What Is Considered a DUI in California?

California DUI law covers more than drinking and driving. A person can face DUI charges for driving with an unlawful blood alcohol concentration or for driving while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, or a combination of substances that affects the ability to drive safely. For most drivers age 21 and older, the legal BAC limit is 0.08 percent. California sets lower limits for commercial drivers and drivers under 21.

A DUI case is not always as clear as the arrest report makes it seem. The traffic stop, officer observations, field sobriety tests, breath or blood testing, and the handling of the evidence can all affect the strength of the case. Problems with testing procedures or police protocol may create defenses that should be reviewed early by counsel. California DMV guidance also makes clear that drug-related DUI cases can involve blood or urine testing when an officer suspects alcohol or drugs affected the driver.

Because the facts matter in every case, early review by a Los Angeles DUI attorney can be critical. The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi examines the stop, the testing, and the evidence to identify weaknesses and protect the client’s position from the start.

In Los Angeles, DUI charges most commonly arise from:

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher (standard drivers)
  • A BAC of 0.04% or higher (commercial vehicle drivers)
  • Any measurable BAC for drivers under 21 years old (California’s Zero Tolerance Law)
  • Driving under the influence of marijuana, prescription drugs, or illegal substances
  • Refusing to submit to chemical testing after a lawful DUI arrest
  • DUI causing injury to another person (felony DUI)

Los Angeles law enforcement agencies — including the LAPD, California Highway Patrol, and county sheriff’s deputies — aggressively patrol for DUI throughout the city and surrounding areas. A single traffic stop can change your life. Attorney Hashemi is here to make sure it doesn’t.

DUI Penalties in Los Angeles

California DUI penalties escalate significantly with each prior offense and with aggravating factors. Understanding the full scope of potential consequences is essential when deciding how to respond to a DUI charge. A felony DUI conviction carries potential state prison time, a strike under California’s Three Strikes law, and lasting consequences that affect nearly every area of your life. Attorney Hashemi’s 20 years of experience with Los Angeles DUI cases means he knows how to fight these charges at every level.

First DUI Offense (Misdemeanor):

  • 3 to 5 years of informal probation
  • Up to 6 months in Los Angeles County Jail
  • Fines and assessments exceeding $2,000
  • DUI school (3 to 9 months)
  • 6-month driver’s license suspension by the DMV
  • Possible ignition interlock device (IID) requirement

Second DUI Offense (Misdemeanor):

  • Up to 1 year in county jail (mandatory minimum 96 hours)
  • Fines and assessments exceeding $2,800
  • 18 to 30 months of DUI school
  • 2-year license suspension
  • Mandatory ignition interlock device installation

Third DUI Offense (Misdemeanor or Felony):

  • Up to 1 year in county jail or 16 months to 3 years in state prison (if charged as a felony)
  • Fines exceeding $3,000
  • 30-month DUI school
  • 3-year license revocation
  • Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) designation

Felony DUI — Enhanced Charges Apply When:

  • You have three or more prior DUI convictions within 10 years
  • The DUI resulted in bodily injury or death to another person
  • You have a prior felony DUI conviction on your record

The DMV Hearing: You Have Only 10 Days to Act

Most people charged with DUI in Los Angeles focus entirely on the criminal case — and in doing so, they unknowingly allow the DMV to suspend their driver’s license by default. When you are arrested for DUI in California, the arresting officer typically confiscates your physical license and issues a pink temporary license. You then have just 10 days from the date of arrest to request a formal DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing.

If you miss this 10-day deadline, the DMV will automatically suspend your license — regardless of what happens in criminal court. The two proceedings are completely separate. Our Los Angeles DUI Attorney handles DMV hearing requests as part of your DUI defense, working to protect your driving privileges from day one.

At the DMV hearing, we challenge issues such as:

  • Whether the arresting officer had lawful grounds to stop your vehicle
  • Whether you were properly advised of your rights before chemical testing
  • Whether breathalyzer or blood test results were accurate and properly handled
  • Whether the proper procedures were followed throughout your arrest

How Los Angeles DUI Cases Are Built — And How We Challenge Them

Understanding how law enforcement builds a DUI case is the first step toward building an effective defense. Attorney Hashemi has spent two decades analyzing LAPD and CHP DUI investigations — and he knows where the errors, inconsistencies, and constitutional violations tend to occur.

Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)

Field sobriety tests — such as the Walk-and-Turn, One-Leg Stand, and Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus — are notoriously unreliable. Poor lighting, uneven pavement, nervousness, medical conditions, footwear, and even fatigue can cause a sober person to perform poorly. We scrutinize dashcam and bodycam footage to expose flawed FST administration.

Breathalyzer Evidence

Breathalyzer devices must be properly calibrated, maintained, and operated by trained personnel. Results can be skewed by residual mouth alcohol, medical conditions such as acid reflux or GERD, ketogenic diets, or improper administration. We obtain calibration and maintenance records and challenge test reliability wherever grounds exist.

Blood Test Evidence

Blood draws must follow strict collection, storage, and chain-of-custody protocols. Contamination, fermentation of the sample, and improper handling can produce falsely elevated BAC readings. Our firm works with independent forensic toxicologists to scrutinize the integrity of every blood test result.

Officer Observations and Police Reports

Police reports describing red eyes, slurred speech, or the odor of alcohol are subjective. Attorney Hashemi cross-examines officers rigorously, comparing their written accounts to available video evidence and challenging inconsistencies that undermine credibility.

Strategic DUI Defenses That Get Results

Every DUI case is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach to defense is a recipe for poor outcomes. Our Dui Attorney conducts an individualized analysis of every case and identifies the defense strategies most likely to succeed given the specific facts at hand.

Unlawful Traffic Stop

Police must have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity before pulling you over. If the stop was pre-textual or lacked legal justification, all evidence gathered afterward including your BAC results — may be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment.

Rising BAC Defense

Alcohol continues to be absorbed into the bloodstream for 30 to 90 minutes after your last drink. If you were tested some time after you stopped driving, your BAC at the time of testing may have been higher than your BAC while you were actually operating the vehicle. This “rising BAC” argument can be a powerful tool in the right case.

Medical or Physiological Conditions

Conditions such as diabetes, GERD, hypoglycemia, and neurological disorders can mimic signs of intoxication or interfere with breath test results. We work with medical experts to present this evidence persuasively.

Improper Police Procedures

From the initial stop to the administration of chemical tests, California law requires officers to follow precise protocols. Deviations — including failure to observe you for the required 15-minute pre-test period, improper Miranda warnings, or flawed blood draw procedures  can invalidate key evidence.

Necessity or Emergency

In rare circumstances, a driver may have had no reasonable alternative but to operate a vehicle despite having consumed alcohol. Medical emergencies involving a passenger, for example, may support a necessity defense.

A DUI Conviction Follows You: The Long-Term Consequences

Many clients are surprised to learn that the consequences of a DUI conviction extend well beyond fines and license suspension. Attorney Hashemi fights aggressively to protect your record because he understands what is truly at stake.

  • Employment: Many employers conduct background checks. A DUI conviction on your record can cost you job offers, promotions, or your current position — particularly in industries involving driving, healthcare, education, or security clearances.
  • Professional Licenses: Nurses, teachers, attorneys, physicians, and others holding California professional licenses must report DUI convictions and risk disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation.
  • Immigration Consequences: Non-citizens face severe risks. Depending on the circumstances, a DUI conviction — particularly one involving drugs or injury — can result in deportation, inadmissibility, or denial of naturalization.
  • Auto Insurance: A DUI conviction triggers a mandatory SR-22 filing requirement and dramatically increases your insurance premiums for years — often by thousands of dollars annually.
  • Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL): Commercial drivers face a one-year CDL disqualification for a first DUI offense, and a lifetime ban for a second. This can end a career in trucking, delivery, or transportation.
  • Travel Restrictions: Canada and several other countries deny entry to individuals with DUI convictions. A conviction can complicate international travel for years.
  • Child Custody: Family law courts consider DUI convictions in custody and visitation proceedings, particularly when children were in the vehicle at the time of the arrest.

Why Clients Trust Arash Hashemi for DUI Defense in Los Angeles

When you are facing DUI charges, the lawyer you choose matters. At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, clients receive direct representation from an attorney with more than 20 years of criminal defense experience handling cases throughout Los Angeles County. Our firm understands what is at stake in a DUI case and approaches every matter with careful preparation, close attention to the facts, and a clear strategy from the start.

Clients also value the fact that they work directly with Attorney Hashemi. Your case is not handed off to a case manager or passed from person to person. You get personal attention, honest guidance, and a defense built around the specific facts of your case. That level of direct attorney access can make a real difference when important decisions need to be made quickly.

DUI cases are often won or improved before trial through strong pretrial work. Our firm carefully examines the traffic stop, testing procedures, officer observations, and the evidence for legal and factual weaknesses. When there is an opportunity to challenge the case, seek a reduction, or pursue a better result, we act on it. When trial is necessary, Attorney Hashemi is prepared to stand up in court and fight for the best possible outcome.

Contact a Los Angeles DUI Defense Attorney Today

A DUI conviction can impact every aspect of your life—from your ability to drive to your employment opportunities, your freedom, and your future. The penalties for a DUI in California are serious, with consequences that include heavy fines, license suspension, and even jail time. Navigating these challenges without the right legal support can be overwhelming.

At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we understand how critical this moment is for you. With over 20 years of experience in defending DUI cases, we know the ins and outs of California’s DUI laws and are dedicated to protecting your rights. Whether this is your first offense or you’re facing more serious felony DUI charges, we will work tirelessly to explore every possible defense, from challenging the breathalyzer results to scrutinizing the arrest procedure. Our goal is to reduce the impact on your life and secure the best possible outcome.

If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, don’t face it alone. Contact us immediately at (310) 448-1529 or schedule a consultation with Attorney Hashemi using our secure online system. We will review the details of your case, explain your options, and guide you through every step of the legal process.

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We’re conveniently located in the Westside Towers, serving clients across Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Westwood. Let us fight for your rights and help you move forward with confidence. Contact us today.