West Hollywood DUI Attorney – Aggressive Defense When You Need It Most
Being arrested for DUI in West Hollywood is a frightening and stressful experience to go through. Suddenly you’re facing risks to your future—Will I lose my license? Will I go to jail? How will this affect my job, my finances, my record and my reputation? A DUI conviction can bring significantly harsh consequences, including multiple license suspensions, huge fines, jail time, and skyrocketing insurance rates. But getting arrested is not the same thing as being found “guilty” or convicted of a DUI. With a highly experienced West Hollywood DUI lawyer on your side, you have a real chance to fight your case and protect your future.
Attorney Hart J. Levin, a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, leads what is considered to be the highest rated, most respected DUI defense team in all of Southern California. He and his expert team have defended thousands of cases across Los Angeles, including in West Hollywood. Their insider knowledge of the local courts, judges and prosecutors gives you a critical advantage in court. In court, who you know matters as much as “what you know.”
Arrested for DUI in West Hollywood? Here’s What Happens Next
The legal process moves quickly. After a DUI arrest in West Hollywood, you will likely be booked at the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) or taken directly to LAPD’s Hollywood Division before being held in custody for up to 48 hours—even if it’s only your first offense. While this is often described as a “safety measure” to protect the public, most people are plenty sober long before they are actually released, making it feel more like punishment.
Once released, you’ll be given a notice to appear with a future court date. You will also be given a pink temporary license known as the DS 367 – APS Hearing temporary drivers license. Thee are two seperate cases against you. One is a DMV case, the other is a criminal case in the superior court. The first court date is known as an arraignment. This arraignment is your first appearance before a judge and can shape the rest of your case. Without expert representation, you risk being taken back into jail, having a high bail amount imposed, receiving harsh release conditions (like an ankle monitor, alcohol monitor or daily AA meetings), and more. It’s a high risk process from start to finish. Hiring the best, most experienced DUI attorney immediately after your release is the best way to fight the case and protect yourself.
Nearby Courthouses for West Hollywood
Airport Courthouse
11701 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Metropolitan Courthouse
1945 S. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
These courts are known for being strict on DUIs and training grounds for new DAs and prosecutors who are looking to earn their stripes. Judges there deal with a huge volume of cases and are often impatient – they often impose strict conditions on you to stay out of jail while the case is pending – unless you have the proper representation. We regularly appear in both courts and know many of the judges personally, know most of the prosecutors by their first name, and know their specific protocols inside and out. This local insight allows us to anticipate how your case will be handled, who you will be up against, what works and doesn’t work when going against them, and how to develop the most effective defense strategy.
The DMV Deadline: Act Within 10 Days
As mentioned above, a DUI arrest in West Hollywood sets off two separate cases: one in criminal court and another with the DMV. Unless you request a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended 30 days later.
Our expert DUI defense team challenges license suspensions by targeting and challenging:
- Whether the traffic stop was lawful (was there adequate probable cause or was the officer just hassling you for no reason?)
- If breath or blood testing procedures were properly followed (were they done on time? Was there a 15 minute observation period as required by law?)
- Whether your constitutional rights were violated at any stage, and if so, demonstrating that the case should be dismissed.
Missing this initial deadline almost always results in losing your license by default. Having our team intervene right away gives you the best chance of keeping your driving privileges. And if the DMV takes away your license, in many cases you’ll have options to continue driving with a breathalyzer or a restricted license. We’ll let you know your options and help you each step of the way.
Fighting a DUI Charge in West Hollywood
Every DUI case has weaknesses, and our job is to find them. No police report is perfect. We thoroughly review every detail of your arrest, what happened once the officers arrived, and the evidence the prosecution will use to try to convict you.
Some of the key issues we investigate include:
- Was there valid probable cause for the initial stop?
- Were field sobriety tests conducted correctly?
- Does dashcam or bodycam footage support—or contradict—the officer’s statements in his/her report?
- Was the breath-testing machine properly calibrated and certified?
- Did the officer actually observe the 15-minute waiting period before breath testing? Was the blood obtained within the proper time frame? Was an alcohol swab used first?
- Could lighting, weather, or road conditions have affected test performance? Doing the FSTs in the rain or freezing cold is nearly impossible for even perfectly sober people.
These small details often make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, losing vs winning.
DUI Penalties in California – What West Hollywood Drivers Will Face in Court
Even a first offense DUI can have major penalties. California law imposes tougher consequences with each additional DUI or if aggravating factors exist, like an accident.
First DUI Offense – Up to 6 months in county jail, many thousands in fines, license suspension up to 12 months (though IID or restricted licenses may be available), and mandatory DUI school (3–9 months). There are several other punishments that prosecutors try to impose including CalTrans freeway cleanup, community service, daily or weekly AA meetings, alcohol monitoring, having to visit the Hospital and Morgue (HAM program) etc.
Second DUI Offense – Much more serious than a first time DUI – jail time is required here. Minimum 96 hours in jail (maximum of one year in jail), longer license suspension (up to 2 years), fines, 18–30 month DUI school, and mandatory IID, etc.
Third DUI Offense – At least 120 days in jail, up to 3 years of license revocation, long-term DUI classes, and IID requirements. Possibility of the DA or judge requesting rehabilitation – either inpatient or intensive out patient (IOP)
DUI with Injury – Jail is mandatory here – 5 days to 1 year in county jail, fines, restitution, and at least a 1-year license suspension (no restricted license eligibility for 1 year)
Felony DUI – State prison (16 months to over 10 years), major fines, and lengthy license revocation. A fourth DUI within 10 years is automatically charged as a felony. A DUI will also become a felony even on a first offense if there is a moderate to severe injury to someone else, other than you. This is the most serious type of DUI. If you get a felony DUI, it can be used against you for the rest of your life.
The Hidden Costs of a DUI
The penalties don’t end with fines or jail. A DUI conviction in West Hollywood can ripple into every area of your life:
- Dramatic increases in auto insurance rates
- Difficulty leasing apartments or applying for home loans
- Employment risks, especially for jobs involving driving or professional licensing, loss of the ability to get promotions
- Travel restrictions – Some countries (like Canada) will not allow you to enter even if you have a first time DUI with no aggravating factors.
- Difficulties passing background checks for housing or work. Employers won’t want to take a risk on you.
- Social stigma and damage to your reputation. People will think you are irresponsible and have a drinking problem.
Our main goal is not only to defend you in court but also to protect your livelihood, your family, and your future.
California BAC Limits
- 0.08% – Standard for drivers 21 and over
- 0.04% – Commercial drivers (for example, a truck driver)
- 0.01% – Drivers under 21 or on DUI probation (zero tolerance here)
You can still be charged even if your alcohol level (BAC) is below these numbers if an officer believes alcohol or drugs impaired your ability to drive. Refusing chemical testing also leads to automatic license penalties. For example, if you had smoked weed the night before, the officer may believe it is still impairing your ability to drive properly and arrest you for a drug DUI.
Will You Lose Your License?
Most DUI arrests carry some form of license suspension. But that doesn’t always mean you’ll be stuck without transportation. Depending on your case, you may qualify for:
- A restricted license for work, school, or essential travel, and DUI classes
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) to keep driving (a significant hassle to deal with – must give breath samples while driving)
- If we beat the DMV at the DMV hearing, you will avoid the DMV suspension altogether. We’ve maintained an excellent track record for winning DMV cases that are typically a lost cause.
An expertly skilled, experienced DUI lawyer in West Hollywood can fight both in court and at the DMV to help protect your record, your livelihood and your ability to drive. As anyone in LA knows, getting around without a license (especially in West Hollywood) is very difficult.
Clearing Your Record – DUI Expungement
Many people who have former DUI convictions are eligible to expunge them once probation and sentencing are complete. Expungement removes the conviction from your public record, helping with job applications, housing opportunities, and travel. That means it technically cannot be used against you and the public should not be able to see it. It would change your conviction from guilty to dismissed.
Why Building Your Defense Early Makes All the Difference
The strongest DUI defenses start right away. We file motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, challenge police procedures, use investigators to secure video evidence and get witness statements, and build leverage to fight for a reduction in charges or an outright dismissal.
At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we’ve consistently over-delivered by achieving a remarkable number of case dismissals and charge reductions – as well as punishment reductions. We do this by acting quickly and strategically building a strong defense before trial. In many cases, we negotiate excellent alternatives to a guilty plea. Every DUI case is unique, but early, aggressive, strategic preparation often makes the difference between a conviction and becoming a convicted criminal.
Speak With a Top Rated West Hollywood DUI Attorney Today
With thousands of DUI cases successfully handled, Hart J. Levin and his team are ready to fight for you. Whether this is your first arrest or a serious felony DUI, we have the experience, courtroom skill, and relationships within the Los Angeles courts to consistently deliver superior outcomes for people in need.
Call us anytime at 310-935-3100 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions, explain your options, and start building your defense today.
Don’t face a DUI in West Hollywood alone—let us protect your license, your freedom, and your future. You’ll be able to rest easy knowing we’ve got your back.