DUI Lawyer Serving Los Angeles
and Southern California
A DUI arrest can affect your driver’s license, employment, insurance, and freedom. Leonard Manalo represents individuals facing DUI charges throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California and provides direct, personalized representation from the beginning of the case through resolution.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in California?
A DUI arrest can trigger two separate proceedings: a criminal case in court and an administrative process involving your driving privilege. These proceedings have different rules, deadlines, and potential consequences.
The criminal case may involve allegations related to blood alcohol concentration, driving behavior, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, and the legality of the traffic stop or arrest. Depending on the circumstances, defenses may involve challenging the stop, the reliability of testing, the collection or handling of evidence, or whether the prosecution can prove each required element of the offense.
A DUI arrest can also affect your driver’s license. Acting quickly is important because certain DMV-related deadlines may apply shortly after an arrest.
Leonard Manalo reviews both the criminal and driving-related aspects of a DUI case and works with clients to identify available defenses and the best strategy for their individual circumstances.
California DUI Penalties
The consequences of a DUI conviction depend on factors such as prior DUI history, blood alcohol concentration, whether there was an accident or injury, and the specific facts of the case.
Possible consequences can include fines and assessments, probation, DUI education programs, license restrictions or suspension, ignition interlock requirements, community service, and in some cases jail time.
A DUI can also create consequences beyond the courtroom, including increased insurance costs and potential employment or professional licensing concerns.
Because penalties vary significantly from case to case, it is important to evaluate both the charges and the evidence before deciding how to proceed.
Common DUI Defenses
Every DUI case depends on its own facts, but common defense issues may include:
Whether the traffic stop was lawful
Whether the officer had sufficient evidence to make an arrest
Whether field sobriety tests were properly administered
Whether breath or blood testing was accurate and reliable
Whether testing equipment was properly maintained and calibrated
Whether the required observation period was followed before a breath test
Whether blood samples were properly collected, stored, and tested
Whether rising blood alcohol levels may affect the interpretation of a test result
Whether statements were obtained in violation of constitutional protections
Whether the prosecution can prove the required elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt
A careful review of the police reports, video, testing records, witness statements, and other evidence can identify issues that may affect the strength of the prosecution’s case.
DMV License Suspension After a DUI Arrest
A DUI arrest can create a separate driver’s license issue through the California Department of Motor Vehicles in addition to the criminal court case.
Depending on the circumstances, the DMV may seek to suspend a driver’s license based on the arrest, a chemical test result, or an alleged refusal to complete a required chemical test. The DMV process is separate from the criminal case and follows its own procedures and deadlines.
Because the time to request a DMV hearing can be limited, it is important to address the license issue promptly after an arrest.
At a DMV hearing, potential issues may include whether the officer had lawful cause to stop or arrest the driver, whether the required procedures were followed, whether chemical testing was reliable, and whether the evidence supports the proposed suspension.
Leonard Manalo represents clients in both the criminal DUI case and related DMV proceedings, allowing the defense strategy to account for both sides of the case.
First-Time DUI in California
A first DUI charge can still carry significant consequences, even when a person has no prior criminal history.
Depending on the facts of the case, potential consequences may include probation, fines and assessments, a DUI education program, license restrictions or suspension, ignition interlock requirements, and other court-ordered conditions.
The available defenses and possible outcomes depend heavily on the evidence. Important issues may include the reason for the traffic stop, driving pattern, field sobriety testing, breath or blood test results, body-worn camera footage, and whether law enforcement followed required procedures.
For many first-time defendants, the goal is not simply to minimize penalties, but to determine whether the evidence can be challenged and whether a more favorable resolution is available.
Why Hire Leonard Manalo for a DUI Case?
DUI cases can involve both criminal court proceedings and separate DMV consequences. Leonard Manalo provides direct, personalized representation and works with clients to evaluate the evidence, identify legal issues, and develop a defense strategy based on the specific facts of the case.
Clients work directly with Leonard throughout the case rather than being handed off to a large intake team. His practice is focused on criminal defense, including DUI and related driving offenses throughout Southern California.
If you have been arrested for DUI or have an upcoming court or DMV matter, early review of the case can help identify important deadlines and potential defenses.