DUI Defense Attorney in Hollywood, CA Offering Results-Driven DUI Defense in Westside, Los Angeles County, and Across Southern California
A DUI arrest in Hollywood is more than a minor traffic violation—it’s a serious criminal offense that can upend your life. From the moment those flashing lights appear in your rearview mirror, the potential consequences begin to mount: license suspension, steep fines, mandatory DUI education, higher insurance rates, and even possible jail time. If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence, you need an experienced Hollywood DUI lawyer on your side immediately.
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we understand what’s at stake. Our firm is committed to aggressively defending individuals accused of a DUI in Hollywood, CA. We fight tirelessly to protect your driving privileges, your criminal record, and your reputation. With deep experience handling DUI cases in Los Angeles County courts, we know how to navigate the system and develop smart, effective legal strategies tailored to your situation.
Contact a dedicated DUI defense attorney in Hollywood, CA, at our firm today for a free, confidential consultation about your case. The sooner you reach out, the stronger your defense can be. Let us help you take control of your future.
Understanding DUI Charges in Hollywood, CA
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Hollywood, it’s essential to understand what the law considers a DUI and how those definitions apply to your case. DUI, or Driving Under the Influence, is defined under California Vehicle Code §23152, and it refers to operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. The law outlines several different legal standards for what constitutes a DUI, and knowing these can help you make sense of the charges against you.
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818-330-5198What Constitutes a DUI in California?
California recognizes several types of DUI offenses, and each carries its own legal standards and consequences. Here are the most common:
1. Per Se DUI based on BAC (Blood Alcohol Content)
A “per se” DUI means that you are considered legally impaired based solely on your blood alcohol content (BAC), regardless of whether or not you showed signs of impairment. The legal BAC thresholds in California are:
- 0.08% or higher for most adult drivers
- 0.04% for commercial drivers (CDL holders)
- 0.01% for drivers under 21 (zero-tolerance policy)
If you test above these limits, you can be charged with a DUI without any additional proof of impairment.
2. DUI based on impairment (even with low BAC)
You can still be charged with a DUI in Hollywood even if your BAC is below the legal limit. If a police officer observes signs of impairment—such as erratic driving, poor coordination, or confusion—they may arrest you based on subjective observations. This type of charge falls under Vehicle Code §23152(a), which prohibits driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, regardless of BAC level.
3. DUI involving drugs (DUID)
DUI laws in California also apply to drug impairment. This includes:
- Illegal drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin
- Prescription medications such as benzodiazepines, opioids, or sleep aids
- Over-the-counter substances that may impair alertness or coordination
- Marijuana, even if legally obtained
Unlike alcohol DUIs, there is no definitive legal threshold for drugs. Officers rely on field evaluations and Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) to determine impairment, leaving significant room for error, which our skilled Hollywood DUI lawyer can challenge.
Types of DUI Cases We Handle in Hollywood, CA
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we offer aggressive, tailored defense for every type of DUI charge in Hollywood, California. With deep experience in handling DUI cases across Los Angeles County, we understand the local court systems, the tactics used by prosecutors, and the science behind DUI evidence. Whether you’re facing a first-time misdemeanor or a felony-level DUI with injury, our team has the legal insight and courtroom experience to defend your rights and pursue the best possible outcome.
Here are the specific types of DUI cases our Hollywood criminal defense lawyers regularly handle:
- First-time DUI in Hollywood: We help first-time offenders minimize penalties and often avoid a criminal conviction through negotiation, alternative sentencing, or successful challenges to the arrest.
- Repeat DUI offenses in Hollywood: For clients with prior DUI convictions, we work to suppress past offenses, mitigate enhanced penalties, and explore every opportunity to reduce charges.
- Felony DUI in Hollywood: Felony DUI cases—typically involving multiple prior convictions, serious injury, or death—require a strong, strategic defense to avoid long-term prison time and a permanent criminal record.
- Underage DUI in Hollywood: We defend minors charged under California’s strict zero-tolerance policy, protecting their driving privileges, academic future, and juvenile or adult records.
- DUI with injury in Hollywood: When DUI charges involve bodily harm to others, we challenge causation and evidence to reduce felony charges or seek dismissal of enhancements.
- Prescription drug DUI in Hollywood: Legal medication can still lead to DUI charges; we scrutinize medical records and officer evaluations to contest assumptions of impairment.
- Marijuana DUI in Hollywood: We challenge flawed drug recognition techniques and ambiguous THC test results in marijuana DUI cases, especially when impairment is not clearly proven.
- CDL driver DUI in Hollywood: Commercial drivers face heightened standards and career-ending consequences—our firm defends your license, livelihood, and professional future.
- DUI refusal cases in Hollywood: We challenge the legality of the arrest and whether proper advisements were given when clients are penalized for refusing breath or blood tests.
- Out-of-CA driver DUI in Hollywood: If you live outside California and were arrested for a DUI while visiting Hollywood, we coordinate defense efforts across jurisdictions to protect your home-state license and minimize your need to appear in court.
What to Expect From Your DUI Hearing in Hollywood
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Hollywood, CA, the legal process that follows can feel overwhelming and intimidating. But with the right knowledge—and the right legal team—you can face the proceedings with confidence. At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we prepare our clients thoroughly for every stage of the DUI process, ensuring they understand what to expect, how to respond, and how we’ll build their defense from day one.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what happens after a DUI arrest in Hollywood and how we can help you through it.
Immediate Aftermath: Temporary License & DMV Hearing
After your DUI arrest, the police will typically take your California driver’s license and issue you a pink temporary license, which is valid for only 30 days. What many drivers don’t realize is that you have just 10 days from your arrest to request a hearing with the California DMV to contest the suspension of your license.
This Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing is completely separate from the criminal court process. It focuses on:
- Whether the arresting officer had reasonable cause
- Whether you were lawfully arrested
- Whether your BAC was 0.08% or higher, or you refused chemical testing
Failing to request this hearing means an automatic license suspension, regardless of the outcome of your court case. As your DUI lawyer, we handle this request on your behalf, represent you at the DMV hearing, and work to preserve your driving privileges.
The Arraignment: Your First Court Appearance
Your first appearance in criminal court is called the arraignment, and it typically takes place at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, which handles DUI cases from Hollywood. During this proceeding:
- You will be formally advised of the charges against you
- You’ll enter a plea: guilty, not guilty, or no contest
- The judge may impose conditions such as bail or release terms
Most importantly, this is the beginning of the negotiation and litigation process. With an experienced DUI defense attorney at your side, we may be able to challenge the charges before the case even progresses further—especially if there are issues with probable cause, testing procedures, or constitutional rights violations.
Pre-Trial Preparation: Building Your Defense
After arraignment, your case moves into the pre-trial phase. This is where having a knowledgeable and aggressive defense lawyer becomes critical. During this time, our team:
- Reviews all police reports, bodycam/dashcam footage, and lab results
- Identifies constitutional violations or procedural errors
- Files motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges
- Negotiates with the prosecution for reduced charges or alternative sentencing
If your case proceeds to trial, we prepare thoroughly by consulting forensic toxicologists, medical experts, and field sobriety test analysts to challenge the state’s evidence.
Your Legal Rights in DUI Defense Cases in Hollywood
Being arrested for a DUI in Hollywood is a serious matter, but it doesn’t mean you’ve lost your rights. In fact, you have powerful legal protections under both state and federal law. At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we make it our mission to ensure that those rights are honored at every stage of the legal process. Knowing your rights—and exercising them early—can significantly improve the outcome of your DUI case.
Presumption of innocence and due process:
You are presumed innocent until the state proves beyond a reasonable doubt that you were unlawfully impaired while driving, regardless of chemical tests or officer assertions. You also have a right to due process, including proper notice of charges and a fair trial, and if any arrest or prosecutorial step was improper, your DUI lawyer can move to exclude evidence or even dismiss the case.
Protection from illegal searches and seizures:
Under the Fourth Amendment, you are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means:
- Police must have probable cause to stop your vehicle.
- Field sobriety and chemical tests must be administered lawfully.
- Your car and person cannot be searched without proper legal justification, such as consent, a warrant, or probable cause.
If law enforcement violated any of these rights during your DUI stop or arrest, the evidence they collected may be deemed inadmissible in court. Our firm reviews bodycam footage, dashcam recordings, and arrest reports to identify constitutional violations and fight to have unlawfully obtained evidence suppressed.
Right to independent chemical testing:
Many drivers don’t realize that they have the right to seek an independent blood test after a DUI arrest. If you submitted to a breath test at the station or roadside, you can request a blood sample to be analyzed by a private lab of your choosing. A skilled Hollywood criminal defense attorney will ensure this right is preserved and may use independent test results to challenge the prosecution’s case.
Right to legal representation:
Perhaps the most important right you have after a DUI arrest is the right to legal counsel. From the moment of your detention, you have the right to remain silent and request an attorney. You are not obligated to answer police questions without a lawyer present—and in most cases, you shouldn’t. Once retained, your DUI lawyer will take over communications, protect your interests, and guide you through the complex criminal and DMV processes.
The Importance of Early Legal Action
Many of these rights are time-sensitive. For example:
- You only have 10 days to request a DMV hearing to stop an automatic license suspension.
- Evidence such as surveillance footage or police bodycam recordings may be lost if not requested early.
- Witness memories fade, and chemical test results become more difficult to contest the longer you wait.
That’s why taking early legal action is critical. The sooner you consult with an experienced DUI attorney, the more options you have to preserve your rights and protect your future.
Why Choose an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney in Hollywood, CA at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney?
A DUI conviction can upend your freedom, finances, reputation, and future. We deliver strategic, compassionate defense tailored to your unique circumstances. Whether it’s a first-time DUI, a felony offense, or related civil matters, our experience gives you confidence.
- Comprehensive legal representation across criminal and civil matters: One firm that handles DUI, DUI with injury, hit-and-run, and civil liability. We protect your rights in criminal court and pursue compensation if you’re the injured party.
- Free, confidential consultations and personalized strategy sessions: No-cost, no-obligation case reviews explain your rights and options. Every defense plan is custom-built to your background, case details, and long-term goals.
- Mastery of California law and proven results in complex cases: Experience and skill in comparative-fault disputes, law-enforcement misconduct, and insurance tactics. Also skilled handling of aggravated/felony DUIs and multi-defendant situations.
- Trusted guidance through a difficult legal process: Supportive counsel for court appearances, DMV hearings, and administrative matters. We also offer clear, timely updates and plain-language explanations at every stage.
- Smart legal strategy that delivers results: Rigorous preparation, aggressive motions, and persuasive courtroom advocacy. We use creative defenses grounded in evidence and legal precedent to focus on dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, charge reductions, and alternatives to jail.
DUI Enforcement in Hollywood: What You Need to Know
Hollywood is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, attracting both locals and tourists to its numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues. However, this lively atmosphere also leads to increased DUI enforcement efforts by local law enforcement agencies. Understanding these enforcement patterns can help you stay informed and prepared.
High-Risk Areas and Checkpoints
Law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), frequently set up DUI checkpoints in areas with a history of alcohol-related incidents. In Hollywood, notable locations for these checkpoints include:
- Santa Monica Boulevard & Bronson Avenue: Situated near major nightlife spots and entertainment venues, this intersection is a common site for DUI checkpoints.
- Sunset Boulevard & Vermont Avenue: Located near Los Angeles City College and various residential neighborhoods, this area sees frequent DUI enforcement.
These checkpoints typically occur during evening hours, between 8 PM and 2 AM, aiming to deter impaired driving and enhance road safety.
Facing a DUI charge in Hollywood can be daunting, but it's important to remember that many individuals find themselves in similar situations. Having experienced legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we understand the complexities of DUI cases in Hollywood and are committed to providing strong defense strategies tailored to your unique circumstances. Our team is here to guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and work towards the best possible outcome.
If you've been arrested for a DUI in Hollywood, don't wait. Contact our experienced DUI defense attorney in Hollywood, CA, today for a free, confidential consultation.
Contact an Experienced Hollywood DUI Lawyer at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney for a Free Consultation About Your Case
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we are ready to step in, protect your rights, and fight for the best possible outcome. Our firm brings deep experience, courtroom skill, and a client-focused approach to every DUI case we handle in Hollywood and throughout Los Angeles County. We’ll work with you to understand your situation, challenge the evidence, and build a strong defense from the very beginning.
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Hollywood, don’t wait. Contact our experienced DUI defense attorney today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us help you take control of your case, your record, and your future—starting now.
