California DUI defense

You have 10 days to challenge your license suspension.

California DMV automatically suspends your license 30 days after a DUI arrest — unless you request an Administrative Per Se hearing within 10 days. Get a free, written case analysis built around California Vehicle Code and DMV procedure. Delivered to your inbox in minutes.

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Free case analysis

Tell us about your arrest

Step 1 of 10
When did your arrest occur?
What type of license do you hold?
What was the stated reason for the stop?
What chemical test did you take?
What was your blood alcohol concentration?
Prior California DUI convictions in the last 10 years?
Were any of these factors present? (check all that apply)
A couple more things —

Do you have a pre-existing medical condition that could affect field sobriety performance? (diabetes, neurological, back injury, GERD/acid reflux, etc.)

Do you currently have a private attorney for this charge?

Where in California did the arrest occur?
Where should we send your analysis?

The 10-day APS clock starts at arrest, not arraignment

Under California Vehicle Code §13558, you have only ten calendar days from the date of arrest to request a DMV Administrative Per Se hearing. Miss that window and your license is automatically suspended thirty days after the arrest — separately from anything that happens in criminal court.

What you receive

A written analysis covering the seven things that matter

01

License suspension risk

An honest assessment of whether your license is likely to be suspended through the DMV process, calibrated to your specific BAC level, refusal status, and prior history.

02

DMV APS hearing strategy

Whether you should request a hearing, what to expect, and the timing considerations specific to your county and arrest date.

03

Potential defenses

The constitutional and procedural issues most relevant to your case — stop validity, test administration, observation period compliance, and chain of custody.

04

Plea reduction outlook

Realistic odds of a wet reckless under VC §23103.5 or a dry reckless, based on the facts of your stop and the county's typical practice.

05

Estimated fines and class requirements

What it's likely to cost — court fines, DMV reissuance, SR-22, ignition interlock under VC §23575.3, and the alcohol program required for your offense level.

06

Sentence enhancement exposure

How any aggravating factors — child passenger, accident, excessive speed, refusal — affect your minimum mandatory exposure.

07

30-day timeline of next steps

A concrete, deadline-aware checklist of what to do this week, this month, and before your first court appearance.

How it works

Three steps. About three minutes.

01

Answer ten quick questions

Tell us about the stop, the test, your priors, and the circumstances. No documents required — just what you remember.

02

The system drafts your analysis

Our software generates a written report keyed to California Vehicle Code, DMV procedure, and the typical practice of the county where you were arrested.

03

You receive it by email

The full written analysis arrives in your inbox within minutes. If you want to discuss representation, call us — that consultation is also free.

Common questions

What people ask before submitting

Why does the 10-day deadline matter so much?

California is a strict-liability state for license suspension following a DUI arrest. Under VC §13558, the suspension begins automatically thirty days after your arrest unless you request an Administrative Per Se hearing within ten calendar days. That hearing is your only opportunity to challenge the license suspension before it takes effect — and it's a completely separate process from the criminal court case. Most people don't realize the deadline exists until it's already passed.

What exactly is in the written analysis?

You receive a written report with seven sections: an executive summary, license suspension risk assessment, DMV hearing recommendation, the most relevant defenses based on the facts of your stop and test, the realistic outlook for a plea reduction to wet reckless or dry reckless, an estimate of likely fines and class requirements, and a thirty-day timeline of next steps. It is calibrated to California law and the practice of the county where you were arrested.

Is the analysis legal advice?

No. The analysis is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal advice — meaning advice specific to your circumstances, given by a licensed attorney who has reviewed the full record — comes only after a consultation. The consultation is also free and creates no obligation to retain us.

What does this cost?

Nothing. The analysis is free. If you decide you want to talk to our defense team, that conversation is also free. If you decide you want representation, we'll discuss fees at that point — but you're under no obligation to retain at any stage.

What if my arrest wasn't in California?

This service is built only for California arrests. DUI law and DMV procedure vary substantially between states, and we won't generate an analysis for an out-of-state arrest because the conclusions wouldn't apply. The form will flag this if you select an out-of-state license, and we'd suggest seeking counsel licensed in the state where the arrest occurred.

What if I already have an attorney?

If you're currently represented by private counsel, we can't take a lead or contact you about your active case — doing so could interfere with your existing attorney-client relationship. If you're represented only by a public defender, you're welcome to submit, though you should know that switching from a public defender to private representation requires a formal substitution.

How is my information handled?

The information you submit is stored on our servers and reviewed only by our team. It is never sold to third parties or shared outside the firm. We use it for two purposes: generating your analysis, and following up with you about your case if you wish. You may request deletion of your information at any time.

Get your free analysis now

If you were arrested in California for DUI within the last few weeks, your DMV clock is already running.

Start the questionnaire →
— or call —
(949) 409-4071