I have many people contacting me who are pretty much thrown into a tizzy and don't know what to do because they've been arrested for a DUI under California Vehicle Code 23152.

The police have given them a ticket, and they have a court date coming up, so they are still trying to figure out what to do.

Often, they're talking about the fact that they have no record.  Their driving record is good.  They have no points.  They have a good job and a good family, and they're hoping that the prosecutors will not file a criminal case against them.

Sometimes, they don't even realize that a DUI is a crime. If you get convicted for it, you'll have a criminal record of either a misdemeanor or felony DUI under California Vehicle Code 23153.  The dividing line on that is:

• (1) if somebody was seriously injured, it's going to be a felony; and
• (2) if you have four DUIs, you can get convicted of a felony if you're picked up for another DUI.

But most of the people that I see, believe it or not, it's their first DUI. Their first brush with the law, and they don't know what's going to happen.

Early intervention is key in a DUI case. By entrusting your case to an experienced attorney like me, you can navigate this challenging process with confidence. With 26 years of experience, I can guide you and provide the reassurance you need to secure the best possible outcome.

I worked for the District Attorney's office and a Superior Court Judge, and I've been the guiding force behind the Hedding Law Firm since 1994. So, I've got a lot of experience, and I can walk you through the process.

DUI Court Process in Los Angeles

When you appear in court, your attorney will receive all the paperwork related to your case, including investigative reports and any available videos. Your attorney's role is to thoroughly review this information and develop a strategic defense plan.

Pretty much whatever the police did to investigate the case will be turned over to your attorney. Sometimes, videos are available on the police bodycam or the car's dash, and the defense has to request them.

They're only sometimes given over.  Also, bail will be addressed at the first court appearance, called the arraignment.  You'll also enter your plea — either a:

• not guilty plea,
• guilty plea, or
• a no-contest plea.

Typically, when you have an attorney, you enter a not-guilty plea so you can review everything and decide what your best move is going forward with the case.

A new court date will be set, and you and your attorney will be able to go over the paperwork and see what evidence they have.

Also, what they're charging you with, whether you might have any defenses or whether any motions can be filed on your behalf to assist you.  These are all things evaluated by your attorney.

Developing a DUI Defense Strategy When I handle these cases, I don't just evaluate the paperwork. I want to hear your side of the story because sometimes, the paperwork doesn't tell the whole truth. This thorough approach ensures your defense is as strong as possible, giving you a sense of security in the process.

When I do these cases, I'm not only evaluating what's in the paperwork; I want to hear what my client has to say about it. Because I often get some things in the paperwork, I need to talk to my client to find out if they're true. This process ensures that your perspective is heard and considered, making you feel understood.

Once the client reviews everything, they will often have more information to pass along.

So, between the arraignment and the next court date, we'll have the chance to review everything and develop our game plan for handling the case.

We will decide whether to file any motions, try to set the case up for a trial, or plea bargain with the prosecutor's prosecutors to get the best possible resolution.

Moving forward after that first arraignment is kind of up in the air at this point because you and your attorney haven't talked about everything.

If you've been charged with a DUI in Los Angeles County, I encourage you to call and ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding. We'll start the process of getting this behind you.

Our goal is to clear your record, either immediately or in the future.  We want to give you hope for a clean slate. My goal is not to burden you with criminal defense and a criminal record for the rest of your life. So, pick up the phone.  Make the call now.  I stand at the ready to help you with your DUI matter in Los Angeles County.