Were you just arrested for a DUI in Van Nuys? You do not have to face this alone. A skilled Van Nuys DUI attorney can help you protect your rights. At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law, we defend drivers across the San Fernando Valley every day.
Contact our office today at (323) 655-5700 for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your choices, and start your defense today.
A DUI arrest moves quickly, and so should you. The DMV gives you only 10 days to save your license after an arrest.
Why Choose William S. Kroger for Your Van Nuys DUI Case?
When you hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, experience matters more than anything. Our firm has over 75 years of combined experience helping people just like you.
William Kroger and his team have defended clients against serious felony charges and won dismissals in cases others called hopeless.
Super Lawyers and the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys have recognized our work. We also serve Spanish-speaking clients with interpreters available when needed. From your first call, we explain each step so nothing catches you off guard.
Why You Need a Van Nuys DUI Lawyer
A DUI charge does not wait, and neither should you. The moment you are arrested, the state starts building its case against you. The DMV also starts the clock on your license suspension. A strong DUI lawyer in Van Nuys steps in right away to even the odds.
William Kroger and our team will review every detail of your arrest. We look for weak spots in the prosecution’s case, like a bad traffic stop or a faulty breath test. We also explain your rights in plain language so you know what is at stake.
The sooner you call, the more we can do. Call (323) 655-5700 today to get started.
What Is a DUI? (Under California Law)
DUI stands for driving under the influence. In California, it means operating a vehicle while alcohol or drugs affect your ability to drive safely. You can be charged in two main ways. The first is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The second is driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. You do not have to be falling down drunk to face charges. Even a small amount over the limit can lead to an arrest in Van Nuys.
California Vehicle Code 23152
California Vehicle Code 23152 is the main DUI law in our state. It breaks driving under the influence into several separate offenses. You can be charged under VC 23152 if you do any of the following:
- Drive under the influence of alcohol;
- Drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more;
- Drive a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04 percent or more;
- Drive a vehicle for hire, such as a taxi or rideshare, with a passenger and a BAC of 0.04 percent or more;
- Drive under the influence of any drug, legal or illegal; or
- Drive under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.
You do not need to cause a crash or hurt anyone to be charged. The arrest itself is enough if the officer believes you were impaired. Drivers under 21 face an even stricter rule. Any measurable alcohol can cost them their license. This is why an early defense matters so much in Van Nuys.
What Does “Under the Influence” Mean?
Many people think a DUI is only about a number on a breath test. That is not true. Under the influence means your abilities were impaired to the point where you could not drive like a sober person. An officer can claim you were impaired even with a low BAC reading.
They may point to your driving, your speech, or a field sobriety test. These tests are far from perfect. Nerves, medical conditions, and bad instructions can all make a sober person look impaired. This is one of the strongest areas to challenge in your case.
The 0.08 Percent Limit and Breath Tests
The 0.08 percent limit sounds simple, but the science behind it is not. Breath machines must be calibrated and maintained correctly. If they are not, the reading can be wrong. Your alcohol level can also rise after you stop driving. That means your BAC at the station may read higher than it was on the road.
Certain medical conditions, like acid reflux, can also throw off a breath result. A close look at how your test was taken can change everything.
Penalties for a DUI in California
A first DUI is almost always a misdemeanor. Even so, the penalties hit hard.
A first misdemeanor DUI can bring:
- 96 hours up to 6 months in county jail;
- Fines from $390 to $1,000, plus court fees that raise the total much higher;
- 3 to 5 years of informal probation;
- A 6-month license suspension; and
- DUI school for 3 to 9 months.
Penalties climb with each new offense. A second or third DUI can mean more jail time, a longer suspension, and a mandatory ignition interlock device.
A DUI becomes a felony in certain cases. These include a fourth DUI within 10 years, a DUI with a prior felony DUI, or a DUI that causes injury under Vehicle Code 23153.
A felony DUI can bring:
- 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison;
- Larger fines, and
- A longer license revocation.
If someone is seriously hurt, the court can add extra prison time. If someone dies and you had a prior DUI, you could even face a murder charge.
Collateral Consequences
A DUI conviction follows you long after the court case ends. The hidden costs can hurt as much as the criminal ones.
A conviction can lead to:
- Higher car insurance rates and an SR22 requirement;
- Loss of a commercial driver’s license, which can end a career;
- Trouble keeping or finding a job;
- Problems with a professional license, such as nursing, medicine, or law;
- Immigration consequences in some cases, especially a DUI involving drugs, and
- Trouble traveling to countries like Canada.
These costs are exactly why you should fight the charge rather than just accept the first plea offered. The right defense can mean the difference between a clean record and years of setbacks. Call our Van Nuys DUI attorney to protect what you have built.
Defenses Against DUI Charges
No two DUI cases are the same. We start by reviewing every piece of evidence, then build a defense around the facts of your stop and arrest. Common DUI defenses include:
- No probable cause: the officer had no legal reason to pull you over.
- Faulty breath test: the machine was not calibrated or used correctly.
- Rising blood alcohol: your BAC was legal while driving but rose before the test.
- Improper field sobriety tests: the officer gave bad instructions or scored you unfairly.
- Medical conditions: issues like acid reflux or diabetes can skew results.
- Mishandled blood sample: the lab broke the rules for storing or testing your blood.
- You were not driving: the state cannot prove you actually operated the car.
Small details often decide these cases. The right evidence and witnesses can get charges reduced or even dropped.
Speak With Our Van Nuys DUI Attorney Today
A DUI charge can feel like the end of the world. It is not. With the right defense, you can fight back and protect your future. William Kroger and our team have defended thousands of clients across California, and we are ready to stand with you. Do not wait while the DMV clock runs down.
Call our Van Nuys DUI attorney now at (323) 655-5700. Your first call is free, and your future is worth the fight.