DUI Defense Attorneys in California
Why Choose Radford & Rome, LLP for Your DUI Defense?
If you’ve been arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in California, you’re facing some of the toughest penalties in the country—possible jail time, loss of your driver’s license, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record. The attorneys at Radford & Rome, LLP are here to protect your rights, your license, and your future.
Don’t let one charge ruin your life.
Driving Under the Influence charges are serious and time-sensitive. You only have 10 days from your arrest to act before the DMV begins the process of automatically suspending your license. The sooner you contact a qualified DUI defense attorney, the better your chances of keeping your license and protecting your record.
Former Prosecutors. Proven Results.
Not all DUI defense firms are created equal. Some churn through hundreds of cases with little personal attention or strategy. We don’t.
At Radford & Rome, LLP, every attorney on your case is a former prosecutor who has handled countless DUI trials from both sides of the courtroom. We know exactly how law enforcement builds DUI cases—and how to tear them apart.
Our approach can mean:
- Getting your charges reduced to a lesser offense.
- Avoiding jail time through alternative sentencing.
- Saving thousands of dollars in fines, insurance, and lost wages.
- Or in some cases, getting the charges dropped entirely.
Every case is unique, but our record of results speaks for itself. When your freedom and license are on the line, you need a team that knows how prosecutors think and judges decide.
What Type of DUI Are You Charged With?
California recognizes several different DUI charges depending on the facts of your arrest. Common examples include:
- Vehicle Code §23103.5(a) – “Wet Reckless” Driving
- Vehicle Code §23152(a) – DUI (alcohol or drugs)
- Vehicle Code §23152(b) – DUI with BAC of 0.08% or higher
- Vehicle Code §23152(f) – DUI (drugs only)
- Vehicle Code §23153(a) – DUI causing injury
- Vehicle Code §23153(b) – DUI with injury and 0.08%+ BAC
Understanding which code section you’re charged under—and what the prosecution must prove—is critical to building your defense.
What to Do if You’re Charged With DUI in California
If you’ve been charged under Vehicle Code §23152(a) and/or §23152(b), it’s vital to act immediately.
You and your attorney should:
- Request a DMV hearing within 10 days to fight your automatic suspension.
- Review the arrest report for errors, inconsistencies, or lack of probable cause.
- Challenge the chemical test results for accuracy or procedural violations.
- Develop a customized defense strategy based on your specific facts and circumstances.
Our attorneys take a proactive approach. In some cases, we intervene before charges are even filed, providing mitigating evidence that convinces prosecutors not to pursue the case at all.
What Happens When You’re Arrested for DUI?
If an officer had probable cause to believe you were driving under the influence, you will be arrested.
At that point:
- You’ll be asked to take a chemical test (breath or blood).
- The Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) and Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) are optional before arrest—but once arrested, a chemical test is required.
- Refusing a chemical test can result in a one-year automatic license suspension and make you ineligible for a restricted license.
Even without a test result, prosecutors can charge you under Vehicle Code §23152(a) for “driving under the influence.” Refusal allegations also act as sentencing enhancements, increasing mandatory jail time and license suspension periods.
After the Arrest: How DUI Charges Are Filed
After your arrest, the police report goes to the City Attorney or District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors decide whether to file formal charges and which sections to use.
Having a strong attorney involved early—before charges are filed—can make all the difference. We can present evidence, such as proof of clean bloodwork, faulty testing equipment, or medical conditions that mimic intoxication, to convince prosecutors to decline or reduce the case.
If charges are filed, you’ll receive a notice to appear or an arraignment date on your citation. That’s when your court process begins.
DMV Administrative Hearings (APS)
Every California DUI arrest triggers a separate DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing to determine whether your license should be suspended.
This hearing is not held in a courtroom—it’s handled by a DMV hearing officer who acts as both prosecutor and judge. They decide whether the DMV will uphold or set aside your suspension.
Our attorneys regularly handle APS hearings and can appear on your behalf to challenge the evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and raise legal objections.
Winning at this stage can prevent the suspension entirely or secure a restricted license that allows you to keep driving to work or school.
You can read more about this process on our DUI License Suspension
What Happens in Court for a DUI Case?
Most DUI defendants are charged under Vehicle Code §§23152(a) and (b).
If your case involves injury, an accident, or a high BAC, the charges can include enhancements or be filed as a felony under §23153.
A conviction can result in:
- Jail time (even on a first offense)
- License suspension (up to one year)
- Thousands of dollars in fines and fees
- Mandatory DUI classes
- Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
- Three to five years of probation
For repeat offenses, the penalties increase dramatically.
An experienced attorney can often challenge the stop, arrest, testing process, and evidence collection to reduce or eliminate the charges altogether.
Why Experience Matters in DUI Defense
Because DUIs are so common in California, many law firms handle them in bulk—cutting corners and offering cookie-cutter defenses. That’s not how we practice. At Radford & Rome, LLP, every case is treated as serious and personal. We dig into the details—dash-cam footage, police body-cam, calibration records, and lab results—to uncover weaknesses that can make or break your case.
We are relentless advocates. As former prosecutors, we know the system from the inside and use that knowledge to your advantage at every stage—from DMV hearings to trial.
Contact Radford & Rome, LLP Today
If you’ve been arrested for DUI anywhere in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, or Ventura Counties, don’t wait. Your clock is ticking. Call Radford & Rome, LLP today for a free consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney. We’ll explain your rights, your options, and exactly how we can help protect your license and your future.