Being arrested for DUI can be a traumatic event and dealing with the aftermath can be worse.  The repercussions are substantial and touch various facets of your life, including an increase in auto insurance. 

DUI checkpoints, also known as sobriety checkpoints or DUI sobriety checkpoints, are locations where law enforcement officers are stationed to check drivers for signs of intoxication or impairment.  DUI saturation patrols involve officers on patrol in their vehicles looking for driving behavior that may suggest a person is driving impaired, such as speeding, weaving, following other vehicles too closely, and other vehicle code violations.   

Every year, millions of people receive traffic tickets from law enforcement officers, but only a small percentage of them decide to challenge these tickets in a court of law. There are various reasons for this, such as indifference, limited access to resources, or the belief that the citation was...

Yes.  Even if a driver is only holding the phone and not typing, he or she can still be cited for violating Vehicle Code Section 23123.5.  This section prohibits drivers from holding a cell phone or other electronic wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.  Even if the drive...

There are two classifications of criminal offenses: felonies and misdemeanors.  The punishment for a misdemeanor cannot exceed one year in county jail.  Punishment for a felony can exceed one year, including life in prison and the death penalty.  Under most circumstances, Driving Under the Influe...

There are over 20 courthouses in Los Angeles County where criminal and DUI cases are held.  Which court branch your case takes place in depends on the location of your arrest.  For example, if you were arrested for DUI in downtown Los Angeles or Hollywood a criminal complaint will be filed agains...

A traffic ticket lawyer can potentially help you fight a traffic ticket in court and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.  However, it is important to note that there are no guarantees, as the final decision ultimately rests with the traffic court judge or commissioner. Here are a few w...

If you receive a traffic ticket you may be eligible to attend traffic school.  Only infractions that count as one point on your driving record are eligible for traffic school.  DUI and other criminal vehicle offenses are not.  Correctable violations are not eligible since they are not considered ...

Law enforcement officers will begin a DUI investigation if they suspect that a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  But how do officers come into contact with the driver in the first place?  The most common way is that officers initiated a traffic stop and signaled the driver to pu...

Yes, it is possible to go to jail for driving under the influence (DUI).  The severity of the punishment for a DUI offense can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred.  Repeat offenders or those involved in accidents resulting in...

The short answer is YES.  The definition of "under the influence" is not limited to just alcohol, but also includes any substance that impairs a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely, including illegal drugs, prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications. Law enforcement offi...

If you are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and refuse to take a chemical test, such as a breath or blood test, your driver's license will be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a period of time.  This is known as the "implied consent" law, which means that by dr...

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group whose stated "primary purpose" is to help alcoholics "stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety."  AA members follow the principles outlined in "The Big Book, which suggests a twelve-step program in which members admit that they are powerle...

DUI tests, also known as field sobriety tests (or FST's), can be accurate in certain circumstances but are not always reliable indicators of impairment.  FST's typically involve a series of physical and cognitive tests that police officers use to evaluate whether a driver is under the influence of...

Red light camera tickets are issued based on photographic evidence, which can make it difficult to dispute the ticket.  However, you may still be able to challenge the ticket if you have a valid defense. Here are some possible defenses that a good Los Angeles traffic ticket attorney will look at...

If you are arrested for DUI involving alcohol and the officers have confirmed that you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher (remember in some situations you can be arrested for DUI even if your BAC is under .08), or they suspect that you will be a .08 or higher (waiting on return o...

A couple of new traffic laws will take effect on January 1, 2023.  The laws will change penalties for driving without a license (Vehicle Code Section 12500) and failing to appear in court. Driving Without a License Vehicle Code Section 12500 prohibits operating a motor vehicle without a valid d...

Following a persons arrest for DUI, he or she may be released on their own recognizance (OR) by the law enforcement agency.  This means the person is released from custody after promising to appear in court.  The person is usually asked to sign a written promise to appear which provide the cou...

Many DUI cases are filed at the Van Nuys Courthouse, located at 14400 Erwin Street in Van Nuys (Van Nuys is a community within the city of Los Angeles). This is due to the large jurisdictional area of the Van Nuys Court, which covers a large geographical area of San Fernando Valley. 

Successful completion of an approved California traffic violator school effectively results in the traffic violation being dismissed.  There will still be a conviction on your record but it will be "confidential."  This means that there will not be a point assessed to your California DMV driving ...

If you are arrested for DUI and there was a child in your vehicle with you at the time, you are subject to additional criminal penalties.  Vehicle Code Section 23572 allows prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties if the child was under the age of 14.  Prosecutors may charge you under this section ...

If you want to fight your ticket, the first step is to schedule an arraignment date.  When you appear on this date in traffic court you will enter a "not guilty" plea.  The traffic court judge will then schedule a trial.  You will be ordered to appear on this date.  If you fail to appear, there a...

The city of Beverly Hills runs a very active red light camera program.  These photographic devices are also known as "automated enforcement systems" and are allowed under California law.  These devices are usually located on traffic signals at intersections.  They consist of a camera which is tri...

California law prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from texting or using a wireless device, e.g. a cell phone, in any manner while driving.  Vehicle Code Section 23123.5 only allows such use if "the wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and c...