The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin is a highly-regarded and trusted choice for DUI defense in Huntington Beach. With several decades of experience representing clients across Orange County, our firm is known for providing aggressive, strategic, and compassionate legal representation to those facing DUI charges in HB.
We know how overwhelming getting arrested for DUI can feel, especially when your license, reputation, and freedom are at serious risk. That’s why our firm specializes in expert DUI defense—challenging evidence, successfully negotiating with prosecutors, and fighting for the best possible outcome in every case. Our mission is simple: deliver exceptional legal defense and unwavering support from start to finish for each of our clients.
Navigating the DUI Process in Huntington Beach
If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Huntington Beach, the process can feel intimidating from the start (which typically results in an arrest). Even for first-time offenders, the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) takes DUI cases very seriously. You can be held in jail for up to 48 hours before you can see a judge—supposedly for safety and sobriety—but in many cases, people are detained far longer than necessary. People who contact us quickly after an arrest can usually be released without being held in jail.
After release, you’ll receive a court summons for your arraignment. This is called a notice to appear (NTA). It’s critical to have an expert DUI attorney by your side for this hearing. Judges can impose bail (meaning you have to pay a lot of money to stay out of jail while the case is pending) or even order you back into custody (this is especially common in injury cases). Taking early action is the key to protecting your rights, minimizing penalties, and preventing major damage to your criminal record, searchable background, and your reputation.
We strongly suggest that you act quickly after your arrest. The sooner you contact an experienced Huntington Beach DUI lawyer to defend you, the better your chances are in reducing or dismissing your charges.
DMV Hearing After a DUI Arrest in Huntington Beach
After a DUI arrest, one of the first steps is scheduling your DMV hearing. This is called an APS hearing (Admin Per Se). You only have 10 calendar days to request this hearing before you will lose your ability to contest the DUI and the DMV will then proceed to automatically suspend your license 30 days after your arrest.
Our expert legal team handles this entire process for you from start to finish:
- Immediately submitting a DMV hearing demand to protect your right to continue driving
- Ordering and reviewing all evidence used by the DMV (police reports, accident reports, body cam videos, dash cam videos, 911 calls, etc.)
- Identifying procedural errors or inaccuracies in police reports (comparing the video/audio evidence to what the HBPD wrote in their report)
- Presenting an aggressive defense at the DMV hearing to attempt to dismiss the DMV’s case against you so that there is no license suspension
At the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin, we have many decades of experience in successfully defending our clients in DMV hearings. We are known as an industry leader among DUI defense firms due to our history of DMV wins. We know how to identify weaknesses in the state’s (or in this case the Huntington Beach Police’s) case and help clients keep their licenses whenever possible.
DUI Penalties in Huntington Beach
Like the rest of California, Huntington Beach enforces very strict DUI penalties that will impact just about every part of your life.
First Offense DUI
A first-time DUI is typically charged as a misdemeanor and carries:
- Up to six months in county jail (max 180 days)
- Fines that can reach approximately $20,000 (including penalties and fees)
- License suspension for four to twelve months
- Forced labor on the freeway (Caltrans)
- Community Service
- AA meetings
DUI school (typically 3-9 months on a first offense) - Probation of three years (sometimes five).
If the court convicts you of a DUI, you will face a secondary DMV license suspension. You may be eligible to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for six months instead of losing your license completely. The other option is generally a restricted (to work/school and back) license for 12 months from the date you are convicted in court). This is why it is critical to defend the charges to get them dropped or reduced – in order to prevent this secondary license suspension. Our firm has helped prevent jail time for over 99% of our first-time DUI clients and we get many charges reduced or dropped.
Second Offense DUI
A second DUI conviction brings harsher penalties, including:
- 96 hours to one year in jail
- Fines up to $20,000
- A multi-year license suspension
- CalTrans
- Community Service
- Abstain from all bars, places that sell alcohol as the chief item of sale
- Probation
- AA meetings (sometimes daily)
You may regain limited driving privileges with an IID for one year, but this option is unavailable if you refused a chemical test. The DMV rules are misleading because they generally require a 1 year term of IID, but they don’t always give you credit for the time you’ve had the device installed prior to any court conviction (this is why we vigorously fight this). You’ll also need to attend an 18- or 30-month DUI program which involves once or twice weekly meetings.
Misdemeanor DUI with Injury
If you caused minor injuries while driving under the influence, you face:
- 5 days to 1 year in jail (jail is technically mandatory on an injury case but we have ways to work around this in many cases)
- Fines up to $20,000
- 1 to 3 years of license suspension without restricted privileges (a hard suspension with no restricted license or IID option to drive)
- Mandatory DUI classes (3 to 30 months)
- Restitution to the injured party
- Freeway work/Cal Trans, etc.
If the injury is serious, the charge will quickly escalate to a felony DUI with injury, where the punishment goes up to many years (sometimes decades) in prison. This is an extremely serious charge where the consequences are dire.
Felony DUI (Fourth Offense Within Ten Years)
If you get for DUI arrests within a ten year period, the 4th DUI will be charged as a felony DUI. When this happens in Huntington Beach, the DA will typically seek:
- Up to 10 years or more in state prison
- Fines up to $20,000
- License suspension for up to 10 years
- Mandatory 18- or 30-month DUI school
Felony DUI convictions carry life-changing consequences. Having the right defense attorney can mean the difference between years behind bars and getting a second chance. Choosing the best attorney is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make.
The True Cost of a DUI in Huntington Beach
Many people charged with DUI are shocked by how expensive the process can become. Between court fines, classes, insurance increases, and potential loss of income, costs can quickly add up.
At our firm, we work to keep these expenses under control and to a minimum. Drawing from our vast experience and strong relationships the prosecutors and courts in Huntington Beach, we are able to successfully:
- Negotiate to reduce or eliminate fines when possible
- Arrange manageable payment plans with the court
- Challenge and seek to eliminate the need for lengthy DUI programs, which can save thousands in class fees
- Connect clients with insurance providers who offer reduced rates for DUI-related cases and the required insurance that goes along with a DUI (known as an SR-22).
Instead of paying the maximum fine and total out of pocket of $20,000 or more, most of our clients pay a fraction of that—typically around $2,000, depending on the case. Our goal is not just to defend you legally, but also to help you save money and not get buried in court costs.
Protect Your Future with a Top Huntington Beach DUI Lawyer
A DUI arrest in Huntington Beach and a DUI conviction can follow you for years, affecting your ability to get a good job, travel out of the country (or out of the state), or maintain a clean record. The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin provides the top-notch experience, strategy, and personalized attention you need to protect your future.
We have earned our reputation as the gold standard of DUI defense firms in Orange County by consistently delivering excellent results and restoring our clients’ peace of mind.
Contact the Law Offices of Hart J. Levin today to schedule a confidential consultation and start building your winning defense. Don’t wait—your freedom, driver’s license, and future are too important to risk. We are here for you 24/7 and just a call or click away.