A DUI lawyer in Los Angeles is really fighting two cases at once, and the first deadline arrives long before your court date. The criminal case moves through the courthouse. The second case is with the California DMV, and you have only 10 days from receiving the suspension order to request a hearing. Miss that window, and your license suspension can begin automatically, no matter how the criminal case turns out.
More Californians are facing that choice. The DMV opened 131,286 administrative license suspension cases in 2025, up 10.2% from the year before. Some DUI cases are routine, and many are not. Breath machines get miscalibrated, blood samples are mishandled, and field sobriety tests are given on uneven ground. The five lawyers below were chosen because they know how to find those problems, with backgrounds that include prosecution, police-level DUI training, and decades of focused DUI work.
California DUI Law: What to Know
These rules apply to most DUI arrests in Los Angeles:
- Legal limits: 0.08% blood alcohol for most adult drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.01% for drivers under 21.
- The 10-day rule: You must request a DMV hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension order to challenge the license suspension.
- First-offense suspension: A first DUI with a BAC of 0.08% or higher usually leads to a four-month administrative suspension.
- Refusing a test: Refusing a chemical test after arrest brings a one-year suspension for a first refusal, and longer revocations for repeat refusals within 10 years.
- Ignition interlocks: Under AB 366, California extended its ignition interlock program through January 1, 2033. Many drivers convicted of alcohol-related DUIs must install a device that checks their breath before the car will start.
- Who prosecutes: Inside the City of Los Angeles, the City Attorney usually handles misdemeanor DUIs. Felony DUIs, such as those involving injury, go to the District Attorney.
Five Los Angeles DUI Attorneys Worth a Call
1. Jon Artz, Artz & Sturm Law Group
Jon Artz has focused on DUI defense for more than 48 years, longer than many of today’s DUI prosecutors have been alive. He earned his law degree at UCLA in 1971 and has served as a judge pro tem in the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Malibu, West Los Angeles, and Van Nuys. He has also taught at Pepperdine Law.
In 2015, the California DUI Lawyers Association gave him its Edward Kuwatch Memorial Award, which honors the lawyer with the greatest impact on DUI defense. He lectures other defense lawyers and handles DMV hearings to help clients keep their licenses.
- Best fit: complicated DUIs, repeat offenses, and cases headed to trial
- Office: 1010 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1415, Los Angeles, CA 90017
2. Michael Kraut, Kraut Law Group
Michael Kraut knows how DUI cases are built because he spent more than 14 years as a Los Angeles deputy district attorney. Before that, he worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and a city attorney’s office, the kind of office that prosecutes most misdemeanor DUIs.
He reports more than 80 felony trials and is credited with helping expose corrupt officers during the LAPD Rampart scandal. That background is useful when a case depends on whether an officer’s report holds up. He offers a sliding fee scale and has appeared as a legal commentator on CNN and Fox News.
- Best fit: DUIs with injuries, prior offenses, or questionable police conduct
- Office: 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, CA 90028
3. Matthew Ruff: South Bay and Long Beach DUI Defense
Field sobriety tests feel simple at the roadside, but they follow strict federal protocols. Matthew Ruff is trained in those protocols at the instructor level under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s standardized field sobriety testing program. He is also trained as a Drug Recognition Expert and in advanced roadside impaired-driving enforcement, the same courses police take.
That training matters more as drug-impaired driving cases grow, since there’s no simple breath test for cannabis or prescription drugs. Ruff has practiced for about 30 years and is a long-time member of the National College for DUI Defense. His main office is in Torrance, with additional offices in Long Beach, San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica.
- Best fit: drug DUIs and cases built on field sobriety tests
- Office: 18411 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90504
4. Louis Shapiro, Law Offices of Louis J. Shapiro
Louis Shapiro is a former Los Angeles County deputy public defender, so he learned criminal defense in the county’s own courtrooms. He now runs a private criminal defense practice in Century City and appears in The Best Lawyers in America starting with the 2027 edition.
In 2024, he taught a Beverly Hills Bar Association course for lawyers on DUI law, covering what had changed and how to defend these cases. He is also a member of the National College for DUI Defense. His practice can be a good fit for professionals worried about how a DUI could affect a career, professional license, or immigration status.
Best fit: first-time offenders and professionals with careers or licenses at stake
Office: 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90067
5. Robert Berglund, Berglund Law Office
Robert Berglund has run his own DUI-focused practice since 2012. He handles DUI and DWI defense, other vehicle-related criminal cases, and traffic citations. In 2015, the California DUI Lawyers Association gave him its President’s Award for his commitment to helping fellow lawyers.
He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense. For drivers who need a lawyer who handles DUIs every day without big-firm overhead, a focused solo practice like his can be a practical choice.
Best fit: first-offense DUIs and DMV hearings on a reasonable budget
Office: Two addresses appear in directories: 145 South Fairfax Avenue, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90036, and 8335 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 357, West Hollywood, CA 90069. Confirm before visiting.
Winning in Court Doesn’t Always Save Your License
The criminal case and the DMV case are separate, with different rules and decision-makers. A judge might dismiss the criminal charge while the DMV still suspends your license, because the DMV uses a lower standard of proof and its own hearing officers.
That’s why the first 10 days matter so much. A DUI lawyer can request the DMV hearing, demand the evidence, and question the arresting officer before the criminal case is resolved. Testimony from that hearing can then help in court.
Before your first consultation, gather these items:
- The pink temporary license and suspension paperwork the officer gave you
- Your citation and any release documents
- Notes on where you were, what you drank, and when
- Names of anyone who was with you before the stop
This content is general information, not legal advice. DUI deadlines are short, so speak with a licensed California attorney as soon as possible after an arrest.
DUI Questions Angelenos Ask
Q1. How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Los Angeles?
A: Fees vary widely by experience and case complexity. A first-offense DUI often costs a few thousand dollars, while trials, injury cases, or repeat offenses cost considerably more.
Q2. Can I drive after a DUI arrest in California?
A: Usually, for a short time. The temporary license from the officer is generally valid for 30 days, and requesting a DMV hearing within 10 days can delay suspension.
Q3. Will I go to jail for a first DUI in Los Angeles?
A: Jail time is uncommon for a basic first offense, though it’s possible. Penalties usually include fines, probation, DUI classes, and license restrictions or an ignition interlock.
Q4. Should I refuse a breathalyzer in California?
A: Refusing a post-arrest chemical test brings a one-year suspension for a first refusal and can be used against you in court. A roadside preliminary test is different.
Q5. How long does a DUI stay on my record in California?
A: A DUI counts as a prior offense for 10 years for sentencing purposes. It also generally stays on your DMV driving record for 10 years.
