An arrest for driving under the influence is a very traumatic experience for many.  The most important thing to do after this happens is to keep calm.  You are not alone.  The first thing you should do is reach out to a Los Angeles DUI lawyer and explain what happened.  Berglund Law Office, P.C. ...

Many DUI cases are filed at the Metropolitan Courthouse, commonly referred to as the "Metro" court, is located at 1945 South Hill Street in the city of Los Angeles.  The Metro Court is known for having a very high volume of DUI cases in Los Angeles.  This is due, in part, to the large jurisdictio...

When a driver is arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, and there is a blood alcohol content test with a .08 percent or greater, or the driver refused to take a breath or blood test after being arrested, there are two separate actions that will be taken.  First, cr...

A good Los Angeles DUI attorney may recommend hiring an "expert witness" to assist with your DUI case.  An expert witness is an individual with extensive expertise in a specific field, acquired through knowledge, education, training, and professional experience.

The 49ers are playing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl this upcoming Sunday, February 11. The Super Bowl is the most watched sporting event of the year. Fans all over the country get together in bars and homes to watch the game together. Alcohol is frequently consumed at Super Bowl parties. As a result, drunk driving and alcohol related crashes increase drastically during and after the game. A 10-year analysis by AAA in 2013 found that there were 75 percent more fatal and injury crashes on Super Bowl Sundays in California than on any other winter Sundays.

Driving under the influence is a criminal offense and, therefore, can result in jail time if convicted.  Whether or not jail time is part of the sentence depends on a number of factors, including the seriousness of the offense (misdemeanor or felony), whether there was an accident which resulted ...

The answer to this question depends on a couple of different factors.  If you are a repeat offender, meaning that you have a prior DUI or wet reckless conviction within the last 10 years, you will be required to install the ignition interlock device, also referred to as the "IID," in your vehicle...

Marijuana, a frequently encountered substance in driving under the influence (DUI) arrests, has raised unique challenges with its legalization for medicinal and recreational use in California.  While some may underestimate the seriousness of driving under its influence, the state maintains a stri...

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...

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...

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...