Hermosa Beach DUI Attorney

Getting arrested for a DUI in Hermosa Beach can turn your life upside down in an instant. You will likely be frightened, confused, and unsure what to do and what will happen to you. Will you lose your drivers license? Will you have to go to jail? How will this affect your job or your future job opportunities? The truth is, even a first-time DUI in California can lead to serious consequences—license suspension(s), hefty court fines and fees, mandatory classes, and a criminal record that follows you for years. And that’s just the beginning…

But being arrested for a DUI does not mean you’re guilty of DUI. With an experienced Hermosa Beach DUI lawyer by your side, you can fight the charges and protect your record, reputation, and your freedom.

Attorney Hart J. Levin, a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, has handled thousands of DUI cases across Los Angeles County. His insider knowledge of how prosecutors operate internally gives you a powerful advantage in fighting back against an aggressive prosecutor.

Arrested for DUI in Hermosa Beach? Here’s Is What You Should Expect

After a DUI arrest in Hermosa Beach, you will likely be booked in jail and held in custody for up to 48 hours—even for a first time DUI offense. While police and law enforcement describe this as a “safety measure,” it amounts to a punishment before you are found guilty. The presumption of innocence doesn’t really apply at this stage of the process.

Once you are released from jail, you’ll receive a notice with your first court date (the arraignment), which will likely take place at the Torrance Courthouse. This first appearance in front of a judge and prosecutor sets the tone for your entire case. Without an expert DUI lawyer, you risk things going sideways – high bail, very strict requirements to stay out of jail while the case is pending (like daily AA meetings or a SCRAM ankle alcohol monitor), or even getting put back into jail, are all possibilities at the arraignment.

Hiring an experienced DUI attorney immediately after your release from jail is the most effective way to protect your license and your record. Choosing the right attorney is literally one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Choose wrongly and you may end up in jail. Choose wisely and you may walk away from the case with a clean record.

Local Courthouse for Hermosa Beach

Torrance Courthouse
825 Maple Avenue
Torrance, CA 90503

My firm handles DUIs in Torrance court almost daily. We know the judges and the prosecutors very well (one of the prosecutors is a former employee of my firm!). We know what to expect in each courtroom, who to negotiate with and who to avoid, and most importantly, how to secure the best possible outcome, whether it is a dismissal, a reduction in charges, or a huge reduction in penalties.

Don’t Miss the DMV Deadline – You Have Only 10 Days Before It’s Too Late

A DUI arrest will trigger two separate cases: a criminal case in court and a DMV case where the DMV will attempt to immediately suspend your driver’s license. If you don’t request a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest, your license will be automatically suspended 30 days later. That suspension can last anywhere from four months to two years. When you hire our firm, we handle this for you – securing your position with the DMV so that we can aggressively fight the case. We have a stunning winning percentage against the DMV, even though they suspend in over 99 percent of cases. Our firm is among the top three firms in CA in terms of our win rate against the DMV.

Our firm challenges suspensions by investigating:

  • Whether the officer had proper probable cause for the traffic stop (legal justification to pull you over or speak to you)
  • If the field sobriety tests and chemical tests were performed properly and whether the police were dishonest in their reporting of your test performance.
  • Whether your constitutional rights were violated in any way that can lead to a dismissal.

If you don’t act immediately following your arrest, the DMV will automatically suspend your license by default. Contact us right away to preserve your right to drive and aggressively fight the DMV for you.

Fighting Your DUI Charge in Hermosa Beach

Every DUI case is different—and every one has potential weaknesses. We analyze every detail to find opportunities for dismissal or reduction.

We’ll look closely at:

  • Probable cause for the initial stop (why were you pulled over)
  • Accuracy and maintenance of breath or blood testing equipment
  • Whether bodycam or dashcam footage supports the officer’s claims or shows that they were dishonest in the report
  • If the 15-minute observation period was properly observed before the breath test was administered
  • Environmental factors that could have influenced the results (Were the sobriety tests done on a sloped surface?)

Even small procedural errors can lead to major victories in court.

DUI Penalties in California – What Hermosa Beach Drivers Face

Even a first-time DUI can carry harsh penalties under California law:

  • First DUI: Up to 6 months in jail, thousands in fines, 6–12 month license suspension, and a 3–9 month DUI class (IID or restricted license may be available).
  • Second DUI: Mandatory jail (96 hours to 1 year), large fines, 18–30 month DUI school, and up to 2-year suspension.
  • Third DUI: Minimum 120 days in jail (max of one year in jail), up to 3-year revocation, long-term DUI classes, and IID requirement.
  • Misdemeanor DUI with Injury: 5 days to 1 year in county jail, restitution, higher fines, and a license suspension of at least 1 year (hard suspension – no restricted license allowed).
  • Felony DUI: State prison (16 months to 10+ years), major fines, and long-term license revocation. A fourth DUI in 10 years is automatically a felony. A DUI resulting in an injury to someone else is typically a felony as well.

Our goal is to minimize these penalties—or eliminate them altogether through early intervention and aggressive defense strategies.

The Hidden Costs of a DUI in Hermosa Beach

Beyond the huge fines and jail, a DUI conviction can impact nearly every part of your life:

  • Major increases in auto insurance premiums, or they can drop you altogether
  • Job loss or disqualification from certain professions, ineligible for promotions
  • Problems with housing and background checks (you must disclose your criminal record on applications)
  • Public embarrassment and damage to your reputation (the DUI is usually searchable on Google)

We fight to protect not just your record—but your livelihood and peace of mind.

California BAC Limits

  • 0.08% for drivers 21 and older
  • 0.04% for commercial drivers (i.e. truck drivers)
  • 0.01% for drivers under 21 or on DUI probation (if you already had a DUI within the past 3-5 years)

You can still be charged below these levels if an officer believes you were impaired. Refusing a chemical test will also bring automatic penalties (jail and huge license suspension).

Will I Lose My License?

In most DUI cases, some form of suspension is possible. However, you may still qualify for restricted driving privileges such as:

  • A restricted license for work and school
  • An ignition interlock device (IID) allowing you to continue driving (no restrictions, full driving privileges)
  • We can avoid the suspension altogether if we win the DMV hearing or dismiss the court case

With an expert Hermosa Beach DUI attorney on your side, you may be able to avoid losing your license entirely. We will hold your hand and show you what you need to do to reinstate your license and drive again.

Clearing Your Record – DUI Expungement

Once probation and sentencing are complete, many drivers qualify to have their DUI expunged. This removes the conviction from your public record, helping with job applications, licensing, and travel opportunities. It changes a conviction from “guilty” to “dismissed” and removes it from public view.

Why Early Action Is So Critical

The strongest defenses are built right after your arrest. We immediately begin filing motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, challenge police procedures, and negotiate with prosecutors before charges escalate.

Early preparation allows our Hermosa Beach DUI attorneys to protect your rights, build a powerful defense, and fight for a result that keeps your record clean.

Talk to a Hermosa Beach DUI Lawyer Today

At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we’ve successfully handled thousands of DUI cases throughout Los Angeles and the South Bay—with a spectacular track record of dismissals, reduced charges, and preserved driving privileges.

Whether you’re facing your first offense or a felony DUI, we’re ready to defend your rights and your future. Call 310-935-3100 now for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and start building your defense.

Don’t face a DUI in Hermosa Beach alone—let Hart J. Levin and his expert team fight to protect your license, your freedom, and your future.

Trust the Best DUI Lawyer on the West Coast.

Contact the Law Office of Hart J. Levin.

Scroll to Top