Indexed from official State Bar of California records · Identity verification · Updated regularly

The RegistryPractice Area · Statewide

Find DUI Attorneys in California

Counsel for the ten days that matter most, DMV hearings and DUI court defense. This is the statewide record for DUI defense in California: every attorney on the State Bar of California's official roll whose published practice reaches this area, shown in neutral directory order.

Californians search this field under many names · dui lawyer, dui attorney, dui defense attorney, dui defense lawyer, dmv hearing lawyer · and the registry answers all of them from the same source. Below: the governing deadline with its citation, what to weigh as you read the record, the questions Californians ask with the code sections that answer them, and DUI defense coverage county by county, from Del Norte to San Diego.

The clock & the craft

Statute of limitations

Ten days from arrest to request the DMV administrative hearing.

Cal. Veh. Code § 13353.2

The DMV's administrative per se suspension is separate from the criminal case, missing the 10-day window forfeits the hearing. Most misdemeanor DUI charges must be filed within one year (Cal. Penal Code § 802).

Reading the roster

The first deadline is the case: ten days to request the DMV hearing, so contact counsel immediately after arrest. Look for attorneys who defend DUIs in the specific courthouse where the case will be heard, ask about their approach to the stop, the field tests, and the chemical-test evidence (calibration, rising-BAC, blood-draw procedure), and whether they staff the DMV hearing themselves. Flat fees by case stage are the norm in this practice.

DUI Defense · statewide roster

52 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list dui defense among their practice areas, with an address of record in 12 of California's 58 counties.

51 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.

The largest county rosters are Los Angeles (14), Alameda (8), San Diego (8), Orange (7) and Riverside (4).

1 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation, a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.

For 14, the registry records a language other than English, almost always from a firm website published in that language; that describes the website, not an attorney's own ability.

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In the last 30 days attorneys have read 11 filed matters on the registry.

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Legal information, not legal advice

DUI Defense matters in California

The matters this field covers, as Californians search for them. Each attorney's own profile states which of these they take.

  • first-offense DUI
  • repeat DUI charges
  • DMV license suspension hearings
  • felony DUI and DUI with injury
  • drug DUI
  • underage and commercial driver DUI
  • refusal to test
  • DUI with a child passenger
  • wet reckless reductions
  • ignition interlock requirements

DUI Defense questions, cited

What happens to my license after a DUI arrest in California?

Two tracks run at once. The DMV's administrative per se process moves to suspend the license for driving at 0.08% BAC or higher (Cal. Veh. Code § 13353.2), you have ten days from arrest to request a hearing, or the suspension takes effect automatically. The criminal case in superior court proceeds separately, and its outcome triggers its own license consequences (Veh. Code § 13352).

What are the penalties for a first DUI in California?

A first misdemeanor conviction typically carries three to five years of informal probation, fines and penalty assessments, a three-month (or longer) DUI program (Cal. Veh. Code § 23538), a license suspension with restricted-license options, and possible jail up to six months (Veh. Code § 23536). Most first offenders can drive with an ignition interlock device or restrictions under Veh. Code § 13352.4.

Can a DUI become a felony in California?

Yes: when it causes injury to another (Cal. Veh. Code § 23153, chargeable as a felony), when it is a fourth DUI within ten years (Veh. Code § 23550), or when the driver has a prior felony DUI (§ 23550.5). DUI causing death can be charged as gross vehicular manslaughter (Cal. Penal Code § 191.5) or, with prior DUI advisements, second-degree murder under People v. Watson (1981) 30 Cal.3d 290.

Do prior DUIs count against me, and for how long?

California uses a ten-year lookback: prior DUI and "wet reckless" convictions within ten years elevate the penalties for a new offense (Cal. Veh. Code § 23540, § 23546). A wet reckless plea under Veh. Code § 23103.5 reduces immediate penalties but still counts as a prior. Convictions also remain on the criminal record unless later dismissed under Penal Code § 1203.4.

Can I refuse a breath or blood test in California?

After a lawful DUI arrest, refusing chemical testing triggers a mandatory one-year license suspension for a first refusal under the implied consent law (Cal. Veh. Code § 23612, § 13353), on top of any DUI penalties, and the refusal is admissible. Pre-arrest handheld screening tests are generally optional for drivers 21 and over who are not on DUI probation.

Legal information, not legal advice.

From the registry's blog

DUI Attorney in California: The Law and the RollSee what California DUI law actually says, how the process works, and where the public State Bar roll shows who is licensed to handle a case.DUI Lawyer in California: What the Law SaysWhat California DUI law actually requires, what a defense attorney handles, and how to confirm through the public roll who is licensed to practice.DUI Defense in California: What the Law SaysHow California DUI law works, from the two-charge structure to license consequences, and where the public roll shows who is licensed to handle it.

From the answer files

Why do I only have 10 days after a DUI arrest in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 13353.2How much does a DUI lawyer cost in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148How long does a DUI case take in California?Cal. Penal Code § 1382Can I get a restricted license after a DUI in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 13352.4Can DUI charges be reduced or dismissed in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 23103.5Are DUI checkpoints legal in California?Ingersoll v. Palmer (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1321Can I get a DUI for marijuana or prescription drugs in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 23152(f)What happens if I get a DUI under 21 in California?Cal. Veh. Code § 23136How do I choose a DUI attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125

DUI Defense in all 58 counties

DUI Defense in Los Angeles CountySeat: Los AngelesDUI Defense in San Diego CountySeat: San DiegoDUI Defense in San Francisco CountySeat: San FranciscoDUI Defense in Alameda CountySeat: OaklandDUI Defense in Santa Clara CountySeat: San JoseDUI Defense in Sonoma CountySeat: Santa RosaDUI Defense in Humboldt CountySeat: EurekaDUI Defense in Shasta CountySeat: ReddingDUI Defense in Sacramento CountySeat: SacramentoDUI Defense in Yolo CountySeat: WoodlandDUI Defense in Monterey CountySeat: SalinasDUI Defense in Santa Barbara CountySeat: Santa BarbaraDUI Defense in Fresno CountySeat: FresnoDUI Defense in Kern CountySeat: BakersfieldDUI Defense in El Dorado CountySeat: PlacervilleDUI Defense in Riverside CountySeat: RiversideDUI Defense in San Bernardino CountySeat: San BernardinoDUI Defense in Orange CountySeat: Santa AnaDUI Defense in San Joaquin CountySeat: StocktonDUI Defense in Stanislaus CountySeat: ModestoDUI Defense in Ventura CountySeat: VenturaDUI Defense in Tulare CountySeat: VisaliaDUI Defense in San Luis Obispo CountySeat: San Luis ObispoDUI Defense in Alpine CountySeat: MarkleevilleDUI Defense in Amador CountySeat: JacksonDUI Defense in Butte CountySeat: OrovilleDUI Defense in Calaveras CountySeat: San AndreasDUI Defense in Colusa CountySeat: ColusaDUI Defense in Contra Costa CountySeat: MartinezDUI Defense in Del Norte CountySeat: Crescent CityDUI Defense in Glenn CountySeat: WillowsDUI Defense in Imperial CountySeat: El CentroDUI Defense in Inyo CountySeat: IndependenceDUI Defense in Kings CountySeat: HanfordDUI Defense in Lake CountySeat: LakeportDUI Defense in Lassen CountySeat: SusanvilleDUI Defense in Madera CountySeat: MaderaDUI Defense in Marin CountySeat: San RafaelDUI Defense in Mariposa CountySeat: MariposaDUI Defense in Mendocino CountySeat: UkiahDUI Defense in Merced CountySeat: MercedDUI Defense in Modoc CountySeat: AlturasDUI Defense in Mono CountySeat: BridgeportDUI Defense in Napa CountySeat: NapaDUI Defense in Nevada CountySeat: Nevada CityDUI Defense in Placer CountySeat: AuburnDUI Defense in Plumas CountySeat: QuincyDUI Defense in San Benito CountySeat: HollisterDUI Defense in San Mateo CountySeat: Redwood CityDUI Defense in Santa Cruz CountySeat: Santa CruzDUI Defense in Sierra CountySeat: DownievilleDUI Defense in Siskiyou CountySeat: YrekaDUI Defense in Solano CountySeat: FairfieldDUI Defense in Sutter CountySeat: Yuba CityDUI Defense in Tehama CountySeat: Red BluffDUI Defense in Trinity CountySeat: WeavervilleDUI Defense in Tuolumne CountySeat: SonoraDUI Defense in Yuba CountySeat: Marysville

DUI Defense by city

DUI Defense in Los AngelesLos Angeles County · Los AngelesDUI Defense in Long BeachLos Angeles County · Los AngelesDUI Defense in PasadenaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesDUI Defense in Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesDUI Defense in San DiegoSan Diego County · San DiegoDUI Defense in Chula VistaSan Diego County · San DiegoDUI Defense in San FranciscoSan Francisco County · Bay AreaDUI Defense in OaklandAlameda County · Bay AreaDUI Defense in San JoseSanta Clara County · Bay AreaDUI Defense in Santa RosaSonoma County · North CoastDUI Defense in EurekaHumboldt County · North CoastDUI Defense in ReddingShasta County · Shasta CascadeDUI Defense in SacramentoSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyDUI Defense in DavisYolo County · Sacramento ValleyDUI Defense in FolsomSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyDUI Defense in SalinasMonterey County · Central CoastDUI Defense in Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County · Central CoastDUI Defense in FresnoFresno County · San Joaquin ValleyDUI Defense in BakersfieldKern County · San Joaquin ValleyDUI Defense in South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County · SierraDUI Defense in RiversideRiverside County · Inland EmpireDUI Defense in San BernardinoSan Bernardino County · Inland EmpireDUI Defense in IrvineOrange County · Orange CountyDUI Defense in AnaheimOrange County · Orange CountyDUI Defense in Santa AnaOrange County · Orange CountyDUI Defense in Palm SpringsRiverside County · DesertDUI Defense in StocktonSan Joaquin County · San Joaquin ValleyDUI Defense in ModestoStanislaus County · San Joaquin ValleyDUI Defense in OxnardVentura County · Central CoastDUI Defense in FremontAlameda County · Bay AreaDUI Defense in VisaliaTulare County · San Joaquin ValleyDUI Defense in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

Adjacent shelves of the law

Criminal DefenseCal. Penal Code §§ 799–802

If cost is the concern

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279,000+ attorney records · 58 counties · Official State Bar records