Cerritos DUI Lawyer

Experienced DUI Attorney in Cerritos

DUIs can be serious criminal offenses in California. Even unresolved arrests or poorly managed first offenses can result in steep fines, license suspension, and lasting consequences for your future. If you have recently been accused of impaired driving, a Cerritos DUI lawyer can help. They can advise you at every stage and advocate for you throughout the proceedings. 

About Local Law Firm, Gibbons & Gibbons

Gibbons & Gibbons has spent years representing the people of Cerritos, Downey, Bellflower, and communities across Los Angeles in their DUI cases. Our team has 60 years of combined legal experience handling matters ranging from simple traffic violations to felony DUIs. Co-founder Marc Gibbons is experienced in impaired driving legal matters. He is a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association and was named a Top 10 DUI Lawyer in 2016.

Overview of DUI Cases in Cerritos, California

Drunk driving remains a pressing public safety concern. In 2023, 1,355 people in California and 12,492 total nationwide died from alcohol-impaired accidents. Los Angeles County had the most alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 589 serious injuries and 265 fatalities. Urban areas saw the vast majority of incidents, accounting for 74% of all fatalities. Drunk driving accidents can occur anywhere, whether you’re driving on the 605, Bloomfield Avenue, or a neighborhood street.

A DUI charge is made when a driver is arrested for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a drug. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) for driving is 0.08% for regular licensed drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.01% for underage drivers.

Cerritos does not have a dedicated courthouse for DUIs that occur within its city limits. There are two Superior Court locations where DUIs issued in Cerritos are handled. One is the Bellflower Courthouse at 10025 East Flower Street in Bellflower. The second is the Norwalk Courthouse at 12720 Norwalk Boulevard in Norwalk, which handles DUI arrest cases initiated by the California Highway Patrol on the 91 or 605 freeways.

DUI Penalties

The penalties for a DUI in California change based on many factors. One key component is prior offenses. The lookback period for a DUI to be considered a repeat offense is 10 years. Another factor is any aggravating factors, such as a high BAC, excessive speeding, whether someone was injured, and having a child passenger. Common components across all cases are listed below:

• Fines. The fines for a DUI in California without aggravating factors are between $390-$1,000, regardless of priors.
• License suspension. Loss of driving privileges is automatic following a DUI arrest unless the accused requests a hearing within 10 days of being served. License suspensions can last months, years, or be permanent.
• Probation. Probation is often used in place of imprisonment for DUIs, and lasts three to five years. It is only available to those who agree to chemical tests and may still require the minimum time of confinement.
• DUI education program. DUI schools are either mandatory or used as a mitigating factor to lighten sentencing. The program lasts three months for cases involving a BAC under 0.20 percent, or nine months for a BAC above 0.20%.
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID). An IID can be used instead of a suspension for first-time convictions. Installation is required for repeat offenders.
• Imprisonment. Jail or prison time for a DUI ranges from at least 48 hours for a first offense to a minimum of 180 days for a fourth-time offense.

Refusing Chemical Tests

In California, everyone who drives a motor vehicle gives implied consent to agree to blood or breath chemical tests. Refusing a test can increase DUI penalties and result in a license suspension of one to three years. A second refusal can lead to a lifetime ban on obtaining a commercial license.

Defense Strategies for California DUI Cases

The strongest defense against a DUI varies on a case-by-case basis and depends on the details of the case. Common strategies used include:

• Legal BAC. The defendant may have driven after drinking, but had a BAC below the legal limit.
• Emergency conditions. Someone may have only driven with a high BAC due to a medical emergency.
• Delayed breathalyzer. BAC results are only considered valid if taken within three hours of driving. Delayed chemical tests may be invalid as evidence.
• Unlawful traffic stop. Police must have probable cause for an initial traffic stop. Failing to provide a valid reason for the initial stop can reduce or dismiss charges.
• Faulty field sobriety tests. A field sobriety test, such as the walk-and-turn or standing on one leg, can be compromised by factors, such as confusing directions and uneven terrain.
• Unintentional intoxication. In some cases, drivers may be impaired by drugs or alcohol against their will.
• Rising BAC. Alcohol takes time to process in the body. A chemical test taken after driving may result in a higher BAC than when the defendant was driving.
• Medical conditions. Some pre-existing medical conditions can affect the results of breath and field sobriety tests.

Hire a DUI Lawyer with Experience in Cerritos

DUIs can be difficult to manage on your own. While you may represent yourself in all legal matters, it is recommended that you hire a DUI Lawyer to help with your case. Your Cerritos DUI attorney can bring years of experience and legal skills to improve your case outcome. Several key services that Gibbons & Gibbons provide are listed below:

• • Advise on what defense strategy fits your case
  • Assist with gathering supporting evidence, such as witnesses, medical records, and recordings taken from bodycams or surveillance cameras
  • Identify procedural errors or weak evidence to challenge

• Offer representation in all court hearings, meetings, and trials
• Participate in negotiations with the state to reduce fines, shorten probation and jail sentences, and lower the severity of the offense

Speak With a Cerritos DUI Attorney Who Gets Results

At Gibbons & Gibbons, we know how overwhelming impaired driving cases can be. Contact us to schedule your free consultation. In this initial meeting, we can learn your story, explain the penalties you may face, and explore strategies to mitigate the impact on your life. You may also visit our Cerritos office, located on Studebaker Road, just south of the I-605 and the Artesia Freeway junction and north of 183^rd Street.