Studio City DUI Attorney – Aggressive Defense When You Need It Most
If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Studio City, you’re likely overwhelmed and scared—confused about what comes next and worried about what this means for your future. A DUI conviction can lead to major legal, financial, and personal consequences: jail time, license suspensions (yes, multiple license suspensions), skyrocketing insurance rates, and lasting damage to your reputation and ability to find work. But with the right DUI lawyer in Studio City by your side, you can take immediate steps to protect your rights and work towards getting the best possible outcome.
Attorney Hart J. Levin, a former Deputy District Attorney, now leads one of the most trusted DUI defense teams in Southern California. Our firm has helped thousands of clients throughout the Valley and knows exactly how to navigate DUI cases in the local courts, including the Van Nuys Courthouse, which handles cases from Studio City and surrounding areas.
Arrested for DUI in Studio City? Here’s What Happens Next
The process begins fast—and harshly. After a DUI arrest in Studio City, you may be held in custody for up to 48 hours, even if you’re a first-time offender. This is often done under the guise of protecting public safety or ensuring your sobriety, but in truth, most people sober up well before that window of time ends. It’s closer to punishment than protection.
Once you’re released from the Van Nuys jail, you’ll receive a court date for your arraignment. This hearing takes place at the Van Nuys Courthouse on Erwin St and will be your first appearance in front of a judge. It’s critical to have an experienced DUI attorney handle this appearance. Without legal representation, you risk being remanded to custody or facing excessive bail.
Time is everything in DUI cases. The earlier you involve a qualified DUI defense attorney, the better your chances of minimizing the damage to your record and freedom.
Nearby Courthouses
Van Nuys Courthouse West
14400 Erwin Street Mall
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Los Angeles Superior Court
Van Nuys Courthouse East
6230 Sylmar Ave
Van Nuys, CA 91401
These courthouses serve DUI cases out of Studio City and surrounding neighborhoods. Our team appears at these courthouses regularly and is familiar with the judges, procedures, and prosecution strategies used. Criminal cases are heard at the 14400 Erwin Street location.
The DMV Clock Is Ticking – You Have 10 Days
After your DUI arrest, the California DMV begins a separate process that is completely independent of the criminal court case against you. Unless you request a DMV hearing within 10 calendar days of your arrest, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended 30 days later.
This administrative license suspension can often be challenged—but only if you act quickly. Our office handles these hearings regularly and knows how to challenge each part of the case including:
- The legality of the traffic stop
- Whether the officer followed proper testing procedures
- Whether your rights were violated at any point during the arrest
Without experienced representation, most people lose their DMV hearings by default. Let us step in early and start fighting for your ability to drive. Our winning percentage is among the highest in all of California.
Fighting a DUI Charge in Studio City
A DUI arrest does not equal a DUI conviction on your record. There are countless factors that can be challenged—and no two cases are the same. At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we don’t take shortcuts. We dig deep into the evidence, looking for every opportunity to get charges reduced or dismissed.
Some of the areas we’ll investigate include:
- Was there probable cause for the initial traffic stop?
- Were field sobriety tests properly administered?
- Are the officer’s claims supported by dashcam or bodycam footage?
- Was your breath test equipment properly calibrated and certified?
- Did the officer observe the required 15-minute waiting period before breath testing?
- Were environmental factors (lighting, weather, road conditions) taken into account?
These small details can make or break your case. That’s why we leave no element unexamined when preparing your defense.
DUI Penalties in California: What You Need to Know in Studio City
The consequences for a DUI conviction in California can be serious, even for a first-time offense. Studio City residents charged with DUI can face criminal penalties, DMV action, and long-term effects on employment and personal life.
First DUI Offense
If this is your first DUI offense, you could face up to six months in county jail, thousands of dollars in court fines and penalties, and a license suspension that could last up to a year. However, many first-time offenders are eligible to keep driving with the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) or a restricted license (work-related driving). You’ll also be required to complete a DUI education course lasting between three and nine months.
Second DUI Offense
A second DUI within ten years brings harsher consequences. Jail is generally mandatory. You could be sentenced to 96 hours all the way up to one year in jail, face increased fines, and lose your license for up to two years. With the help of a DUI lawyer, you may qualify to drive with an IID for one year. DUI school terms also increase to 18 or 30 months.
Third DUI Offense
If this is your third DUI offense, the minimum jail time jumps to 120 days, and your license could be revoked for up to three years (sometimes longer). The court may also mandate an IID for two years and require a long-term DUI class of up to 30 months.
DUI Resulting in Injury
In cases involving a DUI-related accident resulting in injury, even as a misdemeanor, you could be looking at five days to one year in jail, in addition to restitution payments, higher fines, and license suspension (minimum of one year). DUI education requirements vary depending on the level of harm caused.
Felony DUI
For more serious cases—like a felony DUI with injury—you will be facing a state prison sentence of 16 months to 10 years or more. These cases often come with significant restitution amounts, years of license suspension or license revocation, and mandatory long-term DUI classes and alcohol treatment.
A fourth DUI within 10 years is automatically charged as a felony. You may receive probation and county jail time (up to one year in county jail) or a lengthy state prison sentence of many years. Your driver’s license could be suspended for up to a decade.
The Hidden Costs of a DUI in Studio City
Aside from legal penalties, a DUI conviction in Studio City can create ripple effects in nearly every corner of your life. Your insurance premiums may skyrocket, and your ability to drive to work or maintain employment could be put at risk. Certain employers may terminate or refuse to hire anyone with a criminal conviction—especially in roles that involve driving. You won’t be able to clear background checks and will have to disclose that you are a convicted criminal.
There’s also the social impact and embarrassment. Friends, family, and even your community may treat you differently once a DUI is on your record. It can affect your ability to work, to rent an apartment, apply for loans, or gain professional licenses.
That’s why our goal is not just to minimize the criminal consequences—but to protect your future, your reputation, and your peace of mind.
What’s the Legal BAC Limit in California?
California’s legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limits vary based on age and driver type:
0.08% or higher for drivers 21 and over
0.04% for commercial drivers or those transporting paying passengers
0.01% for anyone under 21 or on DUI probation
You can also be charged with DUI even if your BAC is below these levels—if the officer believes your mental or physical abilities were impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs. Refusing to take a breath or blood test can also result in automatic penalties and is viewed as an indication of guilt.
Will You Lose Your License?
In many DUI cases, license suspension is part of the outcome—but that doesn’t always mean you’ll be unable to drive. There are restricted license options and IID installations that can help you maintain your ability to get around.
Factors that affect your suspension include:
- Your BAC at the time of arrest
- Prior DUI convictions
- Whether you refused chemical testing
- Whether injuries were involved
An experienced Studio City DUI lawyer can help you apply for restricted driving privileges and potentially shorten the suspension period, or avoid the suspension altogether.
Can You Expunge a DUI in California?
Yes, it is possible to expunge a DUI conviction from your record under most circumstances. You’ll need to complete all terms of your sentence, including probation, and not have served time in state prison. For eligible cases, expungement can remove the conviction from your public criminal record—helping with job searches, housing, travel to foreign countries and professional licensing.
Proactive Defense Before Trial
The best defense starts early. Before your case even reaches trial, our team begins identifying weaknesses in the prosecutor’s evidence, filing legal motions to challenge unlawfully obtained evidence, and aggressively pushing for reductions or dismissals wherever possible.
The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin has had tremendous success in getting many cases dismissed or reduced before trial, and in many cases, we’re able to negotiate lesser offenses that carry fewer long-term consequences. Every case is different—but aggressive and experienced preparation is everything.
Speak With a Studio City DUI Attorney Today
With over 6,000 DUI cases handled and a reputation for strategic, client-first representation, Attorney Hart J. Levin and his team of expert attorneys offer Studio City residents an unmatched level of experience and results. From first-time arrests to complex felony DUI cases, we’re here to fight for you—day or night.
Call now for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call, answer your questions, and start building your defense immediately. Don’t face a DUI charge alone—let us help you take control of the situation and protect what matters most.