Multiple DUI Attorney in Los Angeles

Facing a second or multiple DUI charge in Los Angeles can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate this challenge alone. At Shevin Law Group, our team has represented clients in complex DUI cases since 1992, combining experience with a client-centered approach to defend your rights and protect your future. 

With deep roots in the Los Angeles legal community, we understand what’s at stake and focus on securing outcomes that let you move forward with clarity and confidence. If you need a multiple DUI lawyer in Los Angeles who understands both the legal system and your concerns, our firm is here to support you.

Call a trusted multiple DUI attorney in Los Angeles immediately. We offer affordable services, 24/7 availability, and free consultations. Contact Shevin Law Group at (818) 918-5838 or reach out online today.

Understanding the Charges With a Multiple DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles

A charge for a multiple DUI in California—meaning a second, third, or subsequent offense within a ten-year look-back period—is one of the most perilous situations a driver can face. 

By the time a person reaches a fourth DUI (Vehicle Code § 23550), the charge is considered a wobbler, giving the Los Angeles County District Attorney the power to prosecute it as a felony, punishable by up to three years in state prison. 

The penalties are mandatory, escalating, and include years of license revocation and the permanent status of being a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO).

The Escalation of Multiple DUI Penalties in California

Under California Vehicle Code (VC) §§ 23540 and 23550, penalties increase sharply for each DUI conviction within a ten-year period.

Second DUI (VC § 23540)

• Minimum of 96 hours in county jail
• 2-year driver’s license suspension
• 18-month DUI education program required

Third DUI (VC § 23550)

• Minimum of 120 days in county jail
• 3-year driver’s license suspension
• 30-month DUI education program required

Fourth DUI (VC § 23550)

A fourth or subsequent DUI conviction within ten years is charged as a wobbler (misdemeanor or felony). The penalties for a felony conviction are:

• State Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
• License Revocation: Mandatory four-year license revocation.
• HTO Status: Designation as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) for three years, leading to additional fines and jail time if caught driving.

Long-Term and Collateral Consequences

A felony multiple DUI conviction leads to severe, lasting consequences far beyond the jail or prison sentence:

• Permanent Criminal Record: A felony conviction cannot be expunged and will follow you for life, severely limiting employment and housing opportunities.
• Loss of Firearm Rights: A felony conviction results in a lifelong ban on owning or possessing firearms.
• Insurance and Financial Burden: You will face extremely high insurance costs (SR-22 insurance required) and thousands of dollars in fines, court fees, and mandatory alcohol education programs (up to 30 months).
• Immigration Status: A felony DUI can be grounds for deportation or denial of immigration benefits for non-citizens.

The Immediate Crisis: DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) Hearing

Regardless of the criminal court case, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) automatically suspends your license following an arrest. You have only 10 days from the date of arrest to request an Administrative Per Se (APS) Hearing to challenge this suspension.

 If you miss this deadline, your license will be automatically suspended. We immediately request this hearing to defend your driving privileges.

Our Strategy: Challenging Priors and Avoiding Felony Exposure

The defense for a multiple DUI focuses on creating reasonable doubt in the current case while strategically challenging the validity of the prior convictions.

• Challenging the Current DUI: We attack the evidence in the current case by:
  • Motion to Suppress: Challenging the legality of the traffic stop or the validity of the FSTs (Field Sobriety Tests).
  • BAC Accuracy: Scrutinizing the chain of custody for blood samples or the calibration logs for the breathalyzer device.
• Challenging the "Priorability": We meticulously review the court records of your previous DUI convictions to ensure they legally qualify to enhance the current charge under the ten-year look-back rule. If a prior conviction is flawed or outside the statutory period, we can argue that the current charge must be reduced to a lower offense (e.g., a 4th DUI reduced to a 3rd).
• Fighting Felony Designation: When facing a fourth DUI (the "wobbler"), we aggressively advocate to the prosecutor that the case should remain a misdemeanor, presenting strong mitigating evidence (e.g., voluntary enrollment in advanced treatment, family support, employment stability) to avoid state prison time.

Fight the state prison exposure and save your license. Call (818) 918-5838 or reach out online for a free consultation. Shevin Law Group is your dedicated multiple DUI attorney in Los Angeles.