Hollywood DUI Crackdown
Berglund Law Office, P.C. is a law firm that specializes in defending persons arrested for driving under the influence, commonly known as "DUI." DUI Attorney Robert D. Berglund vigorously represents his clients to ensure that they are treated fairly under the law and receive the best possible outcome in their cases. Call our office today at (877) 667-1205 or submit our online CONTACT form if you were arrested for DUI in Hollywood. Mr. Berglund will personally return your phone call or respond to your message to discuss your Hollywood DUI arrest.
10 Days to Request DMV Hearing
DUI is a criminal offense, not to be mistaken with a traffic violation such as speeding or running a red light. If you were arrested on suspicion of DUI involving alcohol, the LAPD or other law enforcement officers likely confiscated your driver's license and issued a pink "temporary" license that is good for 30 days. However, you only have 10 days from the arrest date to request a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing from the DMV Driver Safety Office.
Automatic License Suspension
If you fail to request an APS hearing, your driver's license will automatically be suspended upon expiration of the temporary license. How long the license remains suspended will depend on whether or not you have prior DUI offenses and how many. If the hearing is requested within 10 days you can receive a "stay" of the suspension which means your license will remain valid pending the outcome of the APS hearing. An experienced Hollywood DUI Lawyer should be contacted as soon as possible following a DUI arrest to ensure that your driving privilege is protected.
DUI Criminal Charges Filed
If you are arrested for DUI in Hollywood, a criminal complaint will be filed against you unless the prosecutor declines to file the case due to insufficient evidence. A DUI conviction can have a devastating impact on a person's life, adversely affecting employment, reputation, finances, child custody agreements, and freedom. Do not go to Court alone and represent yourself. Do not assume that you must plea guilty to DUI and have no other options. Hiring a good DUI lawyer will be the best decision to make under these circumstances.
Metropolitan Courthouse
Misdemeanor Hollywood DUI cases will be filed at the Metropolitan Courthouse. Misdemeanor DUI arrest reports from Hollywood are forwarded to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution. The Los Angeles City Attorney prosecutes all of the Vehicle Code criminal matters from central Los Angeles at the Metro Courthouse, the majority of which are DUI cases. The Deputy City Attorneys handle a high volume of cases and, therefore, are very knowledgeable when it comes to DUI prosecution. It is best to have an experienced DUI defense lawyer at your side to negotiate with the prosecutors and/or to defend you at trial.
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
Felony Hollywood DUI cases will be filed at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (formerly known as the Criminal Courts Building) in Downtown Los Angeles. Felony DUI arrest reports are forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. DUI cases can be a felony if someone is injured or killed, if it is the person's 4th DUI offense within a 10 year period, or if they have a prior felony DUI conviction within a 10 year period. CONTACT our office today if you have been arrested in Hollywood and charged with felony DUI.
Types of DUI Cases
You can be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana, and prescription drugs. If law enforcement officers believe that your ability to drive has been impaired, they will request or order you to participate in a DUI investigation and perform field sobriety tests. If you were observed driving recklessly, got into an accident, fail to perform well on the field sobriety tests, or show other signs of impairment, you will be placed under arrest and face criminal DUI charges.
Winning Your DUI Case
The possible defenses to the charges vary depending on the type of case and the specific circumstances. Did the officers have legal reason to pull you over? Was the breath testing equipment working properly? There are many pieces of evidence that a good DUI lawyer will take a careful look at. CONTACT our office today for a free and confidential DUI case consultation.
Case Strategy
Every DUI arrest is unique in its own way. In addition to listening to your recollection of the events of the incident, a good Hollywood DUI lawyer will thoroughly review the police report, review any and all available audio or video of the investigation and arrest, and consult with an expert to review breath and/or blood analysis records. A customized "game plan" to defend you will then be developed to either obtain a dismissal, negotiate the best plea bargain agreement possible, and/or prepare for trial.
DUI Enforcement in Hollywood
DUI laws in Hollywood are actively enforced by law enforcement agencies. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department are vigilant as patrons exit the numerous bars and nightclubs in the area, searching for moving violations that warrant a legal basis to initiate a traffic stop. If these officers witness observable signs of impairment like bloodshot or watery eyes, the scent of alcohol, or speech difficulties, they will initiate a DUI investigation. In cases where a driver registers a preliminary alcohol screening test result of .08 or higher blood alcohol content, or demonstrates unsatisfactory performance during field sobriety tests, it is likely that they will face an arrest for DUI.
DUI Checkpoints
DUI checkpoints are frequently held at locations throughout Hollywood. Checkpoints are routinely announced in advance as a deterrent to people who might drink or smoke marijuana and then get behind the wheel. In addition to looking for drunk drivers, police are increasingly checking drivers for the effects of marijuana and other drugs, including prescription drugs with significant side effects. If you were stopped at a DUI checkpoint and arrested, CONTACT our office today.
Dedicated Hollywood DUI Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested for DUI, CONTACT an experienced Hollywood DUI Lawyer today. DUI Attorney Robert D. Berglund will personally speak with you about what happened. He will ask you to tell him your story and explain exactly what happened, understanding that each and every DUI case is unique in its own way. This information will allow him to evaluate your case carefully and look for any problems of proof that the prosecution may have in proving its DUI case against you. Do not delay if you are facing Hollywood DUI charges, CONTACT our office today for a free and confidential consultation.