DUI Defense

Over 20 Years Fighting Injustice

Long Beach DUI Lawyer

Defending Clients Who Are Facing DUI Charges in Los Angeles County

The State of California ranks high on the number of arrests for drinking and driving each year, with nearly 200,000 cases of it reported annually. Law enforcement has been on the lookout for any signs of intoxication while driving and will pull cars over if they suspect any form of illegal activity.

Our lead Long Beach DUI lawyer, Anthony Falangetti, has been included in the list of California Super Lawyers® for 2012-2014, denoting his hard work and achievement in the field of criminal defense. It is the goal of our firm that each and every client is treated with respect and dignity throughout the DUI legal process. Dealing with charges for driving under the influence can cause significant fear and stress. Get in touch with our competent and aggressive Long Beach DUI lawyers to better understand how we can assist you during this difficult time.

DUI Cases We Handle

Our DUI attorneys in Long Beach can help you fight the charges for:

Are you facing DUI charges in Los Angeles County? Call West Coast Defense today at (800) 922-6989 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Long Beach DUI attorney.

California DUI Laws

Driving after consuming a few alcoholic beverages may not seem dangerous, but studies have shown even trace amounts of alcohol can impair a driver. Men who weigh about an average of 160 pounds only need two drinks before they start feeling the effects and experience impairment. For women who are generally much smaller, it only takes typically one, maybe two drinks before putting themselves at risk on the road.

The higher up the BAC spectrum you go, you become less aware of the speed you may be traveling at in your vehicle, and your concentration is debilitated. People may not be aware that all of these changes are occurring within their nervous system when setting out on the road and that while they feel fine, they may actually be intoxicated.

Legally, the blood alcohol content (BAC) level limit is 0.08 percent for the State of California. While this may be the level at which you can be arrested for a DUI, lower levels of BAC can still affect your driving.

At 0.01% to 0.02%:

  • Reaction time is lowered
  • Attention span is shortened
  • Steering may become sloppy.

At 0.03% to 0.05%:

  • Standing becomes more difficult
  • Response time to emergency situations is dampened
  • Coordination is challenging
  • The time it takes to process basic information is significantly altered.

Any percentage above 0.08 is considered illegal and can result in a DUI charge. Contact our DUI lawyer in Long Beach at West Coast Defense if you are facing charges. 


 

California Implied Consent Law

Under California's implied consent law, any driver who has been lawfully arrested, meaning the arresting officer had probable cause, is required to submit to a chemical test of their blood or breath to determine their BAC. If the driver refuses to submit to testing, they could face having their license suspended for a year, as well as stricter penalties if they are later convicted of driving under the influence.

These laws not only affect California residents, but any motorist in the state of California is subject to the law and could be held responsible if they refuse to submit to testing. It is important to note that you do not have the right to speak with an attorney before deciding whether to take the blood or breath test. It is, therefore, vital to your defense to contact a Long Beach DUI attorney as soon as possible if you refused to submit to testing.

DUI Penalties in California

Even a first-time charge for drunk driving can result in serious ramifications. When there are multiple offenses for DUI on a driver's record, the consequences can increase exponentially. In the event that anyone was hurt or killed by a DUI accident, felony charges may apply that could land the driver in prison for years.

The following is a list of the basic penalties for a conviction of driving while intoxicated:

First Time DUI in CA

  • Jail time from 4 days to 6 months
  • Fines from $1400-$2,600
  • License suspension for 30 days to 10 months
  • Possibility of Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle

Second DUI in CA

  • Jail time from 10 days to 1 year
  • Fines from $1,800-$2,800
  • License suspension for 2 years, with a possibility of reducing the time to 1 year
  • Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle

Third DUI in CA

  • Jail time from 120 days to 1 year
  • Fines from $1,800-$18,000
  • License suspension for 3 years
  • Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle

Possible Defense Strategies For a DUI

Questioning Proper Protocol

There is a certain protocol that law officers must follow when pulling over and arresting someone with a charge of driving drunk. They must have reasonable evidence to prove why they stopped the driver in the first place.

If at any point this protocol is not properly followed, the subsequent evidence against you could become inadmissible in court.

Questioning Testing Results

When performing any breath and blood tests, the arresting officer must wait at least 15 minutes and observe the driver before administering the test. During this time, the individual is not supposed to eat, drink, vomit, smoke, or burp because these can significantly affect the results of a breathalyzer test. These different actions all bring the alcohol up to the driver's mouth and breath, altering the BAC percentage rate.

The outcome can also be altered by certain health factors and illnesses, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Being on certain diets
  • Epilepsy
  • Asthma
  • Reflux diseases

Different chemical compounds within the human body, as a result of these different issues, can play a part in making it look as if the driver's BAC level is higher than it actually is.


Contact West Coast Defense today to speak with our DUI attorney in Long Beach, who is knowledgeable on various prosecutor tactics and common ways to defend against these types of accusations.


What is a Restricted License?

If you are charged with a DUI, you may face driver’s license suspension. However, you may be able to receive a restricted license. A restricted license will allow for limited driving to places such as work or school during part of your license suspension. If you have a restricted license, you will also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID).

Possible ignition interlock requirements:

  • First offense – 6-month IID requirement following license reinstatement or a 12-month restricted license
  • Second offense – 12-month IID requirement
  • Third offense – 24-month IID requirement

The requirements for IIDs can be following your license being reinstated, or they can be part of the restricted driver’s license.

How Long Does a DUI Stay On Your Record in California?

In the state of California, a DUI conviction generally will stay on your record for 10 years. This period is known as the "lookback period" and is used to decide the penalties for subsequent DUI offenses. During this time, the DUI conviction can be considered a prior offense if you are charged with another DUI. It's important to mention that even after the 10-year period, the conviction could still be taken into account by the court for sentencing purposes if you have subsequent DUI charges. 

What Can a DUI Get Reduced To?

Under some circumstances, it is possible to plea bargain for a lesser charge called “wet reckless” if you are charged with DUI in California. A wet reckless charge reduces a DUI to a reckless driving charge.

The possible penalties for a “wet reckless” charge include:

  • $145 to $1,000 in fines
  • 90 days in jail
  • Alcohol and drug awareness program

Protect Your Future with an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney

Being charged with a DUI in California can have serious consequences that can impact your future. It is crucial to have an experienced DUI defense attorney by your side to protect your rights and navigate the complex legal process.

At West Coast Defense, our team of skilled Long Beach DUI lawyers has extensive experience defending clients facing DUI charges in Los Angeles County. We are dedicated to providing aggressive and strategic defense strategies tailored to your specific case.

Why choose our DUI defense services:

  • Extensive knowledge of California DUI laws and regulations
  • Proven track record of success in handling DUI cases
  • Strong negotiation skills to potentially reduce penalties
  • Thorough understanding of proper protocol and testing procedures
  • Ability to challenge testing results and question their accuracy
  • Expertise in possible defense strategies to fight DUI charges

Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, whether it's getting charges reduced, securing a plea deal, or fighting for an acquittal. Don't wait, schedule a free consultation with our experienced DUI defense attorney in Long Beach today to protect your future.

Contact Our DUI Attorney in Long Beach Today

As a former prosecutor, our team is well-acquainted with handling cases of drunk driving from the other side. This has enabled them to learn invaluable information on what the judge is looking for and how to defend against faulty sobriety tests.

Contact West Coast Defense today to get started on your defense with our Long Beach DUI lawyer.

The Winning Defense Team

At West Coast Defense, we know and have what it takes to win a defense case. That explains why we have such a solid history of success in the courtroom. Through the level of diligence, hard work, and personalized attention put towards every case, we have won many victories on behalf of our past clients.

  • Charges Dismissed Assault with a firearm
  • Case Dismissed Assault and battery
  • Case Dismissed Assault and battery
  • ALL ALLEGATIONS WERE DROPPED Arrested for Violation of Probation
  • All felony charges DISMISSED Arrested for Felony Arson
  • CASE DISMISSED Arrested for Domestic Violence
  • Case was dropped Arrested for Domestic Violence
  • DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED Arrested for a Felony possession
  • Case Dismissed Accused of sexual assault
  • CASE DISMISSED Accused of Child Molestation