Since 1987, Los Angeles DUI attorney Stephen Sitkoff has defended clients charged with both misdemeanor and felony drunk driving offenses in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. As a former prosecutor and a recognized Super Lawyer and National Top 100 Trial Lawyer, Mr. Sitkoff personally handles every DUI case, ensuring that each client receives the experienced and aggressive defense of a top-rated California DUI lawyer.
If you were arrested for DUI in Los Angeles, the attorney you hire will have a direct impact on the outcome of your case. Experience matters, and with more than three decades in Los Angeles criminal courts, Mr. Sitkoff offers the unique advantage of having prosecuted and defended DUI cases. This insight allows him to build strong defense strategies that anticipate the arguments prosecutors will use against you.
When you hire our law firm you are choosing a Los Angeles DUI lawyer with the knowledge, reputation, and trial experience needed to protect your license, your freedom, and your future. If you are concerned about whether you will lose your driver’s license after a DUI in Los Angeles, we guide you through both the DMV process and the criminal court system to protect your ability to drive.
Every DUI case in Los Angeles has two separate parts:
These cases are independent of one another. Winning in criminal court does not guarantee that the DMV will set aside your suspension and vice versa. For example, you could have your DUI reduced to a wet reckless in court but still face a license suspension if you lose at the DMV hearing.
First-time DUI offenders in California are often surprised by how complicated the process becomes. That is why working with an experienced DUI lawyer in Los Angeles is critical from the very beginning. If you are under 21, it is also important to know that DUI penalties for minors in California under Vehicle Code 23140 carry strict consequences that can affect your license and your future.
We do not rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we tailor your defense based on the facts of your case while applying proven strategies we have used to win DUI cases in Los Angeles courts. Our defense tactics often include:
This detailed investigation helps us identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. These weaknesses can be leveraged to negotiate reduced charges, win dismissals, or prevail at trial. In many situations, a skilled Los Angeles DUI lawyer can fight to get your DUI charges reduced or dismissed in California, protecting both your record and your future.
After a DUI arrest in Los Angeles, your driver’s license is taken and replaced with a temporary “pink license,” officially known as the DS-367 form. This serves as both a temporary license for 30 days and a notice that you must request a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest.
Failing to request this hearing will result in an automatic suspension once the temporary license expires. By requesting a DMV hearing, your DUI lawyer not only contests the suspension but also delays it until the hearing outcome. This step is essential if you want to keep driving legally in California.
At the DMV hearing, your DUI lawyer can challenge both the evidence and the procedures followed by law enforcement. Common issues we raise include:
If you win your APS hearing the DMV will set aside your suspension much like an acquittal in court. For many clients, this is the most critical part of the case because losing the DMV hearing could mean losing your license even if you win in criminal court.
In addition to the DMV process, your case will proceed in the Los Angeles criminal courts. The court where your case is heard depends on the location of your arrest such as the Airport Courthouse, Van Nuys, Torrance, or downtown Los Angeles.
If your case is filed as a misdemeanor then your Los Angeles DUI lawyer can often appear in court on your behalf and save you from having to attend every hearing. At your arraignment, your attorney will obtain police reports and evidence then continue to challenge the case through motions, negotiations, and trial if necessary.
The outcome in criminal court determines your sentence, fines and any potential jail time. Multiple court appearances are common and cases that proceed to trial may take several months.
If you or someone you love has been arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, do not face this process alone. Our law firm has been defending DUI cases in Los Angeles County for more than 35 years, and we know how to fight both in criminal court and before the DMV. We also understand that many people worry about the cost of hiring a DUI attorney in Los Angeles which is why we offer a free consultation to discuss your case, explain potential expenses and show you the value of having a former prosecutor on your side.
