DUI Lawyer Orange County
Richard Wagner, Former Los Angeles Prosecutor, Fighting for Your Rights and Freedom
27+ Years of DUI Defense Experience • All Four Orange County Courthouses • Free Consultation
Orange County DUI Lawyer
DUI Attorney Dedicated to Defending Clients for 27+ Years
Richard Wagner is the Orange County Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer defendants call when facing misdemeanor or felony DUI charges.
With more than 27 years of DUI defense experience, Richard Wagner understands how prosecutors build cases and how they can be challenged. He represents clients throughout Orange County facing misdemeanor and felony DUI charges.
Arrested for DUI? You Have Just 10 Days to Request a DMV Hearing.
Top Rated Trial Attorney • DMV Hearings • All Orange County Courthouses • Free Consultations
A DUI arrest in California can result in both criminal charges and a separate DMV license suspension proceeding. Richard Wagner personally handles every case in all four Orange County courthouses, fighting to keep your license and your record intact.
Defense Built on Prosecutor Experience
A DUI arrest in Orange County immediately creates two separate legal matters: your criminal case and your DMV driver’s license hearing. Former Los Angeles DUI prosecutor Richard Wagner understands both. Before spending more than 27 years defending DUI cases throughout Orange County, he prosecuted the very types of cases he now challenges on behalf of his clients.
Richard Wagner has handled thousands of DUI cases in all four Orange County Superior Court locations and understands how prosecutors evaluate evidence, decide whether to file charges, negotiate cases, and prepare for trial. That experience helps identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and build a strong defense strategy.
Working with an experienced Orange County DUI attorney gives you someone who understands how local prosecutors build these cases and where they tend to break down. Learn what to look for when choosing the best DUI lawyers in Orange County.
- Former Los Angeles DUI Prosecutor: Understands how DUI cases are built and where they can be challenged.
- 27+ Years of Experience: Defending clients in Orange County Superior Court.
- Personal Representation: Richard Wagner handles your case from consultation through resolution.
- Criminal & DMV Defense: Representation for both your court case and DMV hearing from day one.
Facing a DUI charge in Orange County? Don’t wait. You have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing after your arrest. Contact Richard Wagner today to start building your defense.
Understanding DUI Charges in Orange County
A DUI arrest creates two separate legal proceedings: a criminal case in Orange County Superior Court and a DMV administrative hearing that can suspend your driver’s license. Former Los Angeles DUI prosecutor Richard Wagner understands both. With more than 27 years defending DUI cases throughout Orange County, he knows how prosecutors evaluate evidence and where weaknesses may exist, and he uses that insight to build a defense aimed at keeping your license and your record clean.
What To Do After a DUI Arrest in Orange County
- Request a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest.
- Avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your attorney.
- Write down everything you remember about the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, chemical testing, and arrest.
- Preserve any photographs, videos, receipts, messages, or witness information that may relate to your case.
- Contact Richard Wagner’s office as soon as possible to discuss your defense options.
Taking action early gives your defense more time to review the evidence and identify weaknesses before your DMV hearing date arrives. Learn more about DUI charges in California.
DUI Arrest? Free Consultation with a Former Prosecutor Richard Wagner
Why Choose Richard Wagner as Your Orange County DUI Lawyer?
- Former Los Angeles DUI Prosecutor: knows how cases are built and where they break down
- 27+ years: defending DUI cases across all four Orange County courthouses
- All charge levels: first-time, repeat, and felony DUI defense
- Local court knowledge: Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Fullerton, and Westminster
- DMV hearings: license defense handled alongside the criminal case
- 5-star Google reviews and top ratings across multiple legal platforms
Most DUI cases turn on the details: did officers have legal grounds for the stop, and did they administer the breath or blood test correctly? Wagner knows what to look for because he spent years on the other side of those arguments. With only 10 days to request a DMV hearing after an arrest, calling his office quickly is the most important step you can take.
OC DUI Defense Services
- First Offense DUI Defense
- Second Offense DUI Defense
- Third Offense DUI Defense
- DUID Defense
- DUI Marijuana Defense
- Felony DUI with Injury Defense
- DMV Hearing Representation
Richard Wagner defends all DUI charge levels: first-time offenses, repeat DUIs, felony cases, and DMV license suspension hearings.
The Mission Is To Work With Each Client’s Unique Situation
Richard Wagner is easy to reach and returns calls and emails promptly. He uses a secure, double-encrypted online case management system so clients can check their case status and access files 24/7.
The Law Office of Richard Wagner, APC, represents people who feel excluded or that they have nowhere else to turn.
Super Lawyers and AVVO have recognized his work, and he has spent decades defending DUI cases throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, and surrounding communities. From the traffic stop to chemical testing to court, Wagner evaluates every stage of the case personally and builds a defense strategy around the specific facts of what happened to you.
Beyond 5 Stars
Richard Wagner is a drunk driving defense lawyer who fights to uphold the rights guaranteed by the United States and California Constitutions.
The Law Office of Richard Wagner, A Professional Corporation, represents people who feel like the system is stacked against them, using the courtroom experience of a former prosecutor to level the playing field in Orange County DUI cases.
Orange County DUI Attorney
California DUI Lawyers Association
American Bar Association
Independent Defense Counsel Office
Orange County Bar Association
National College for DUI Defense
Recognized by Super Lawyers one of the Best DUI Lawyers in Orange County
Orange County DUI Courts We Handle
Wagner represents clients at all four Orange County Superior Court locations:
- Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
- Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach
- North Justice Center, Fullerton
- West Justice Center, Westminster
Each courthouse has its own judges, prosecutors, and procedural tendencies. Wagner has appeared in all four and knows how local factors affect case strategy.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in California?
A California DUI arrest starts two separate proceedings simultaneously:
- Criminal case: filed in Orange County Superior Court, covering jail time, fines, probation, and DUI programs
- DMV hearing: determines whether your license is suspended, independent of the court outcome
- 10-day deadline: miss it and the right to a DMV hearing is gone automatically
Learn about the California DUI 10-Day Rule or see our complete step-by-step guide: What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Orange County?
OC DUI Defense Lawyer Richard Wagner, DUI Victories
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood …”
CLIENT: A.A.
COURTHOUSE: CENTRAL JUSTICE CENTER – SANTA ANA
CHARGES: DUI (.09 BLOOD) ACCIDENT
FINAL RESULT: DUI DISMISSED. REDUCED TO WET RECKLESS (DMV SUSPENSION OVERTURNED).
CLIENT: A.E.
COURTHOUSE: HARBOR JUSTICE CENTER – NEWPORT BEACH
CHARGES: DUI (.17/.16 PAS / .17/.16 BREATH) HIT AND RUN
FINAL RESULT: PROSECUTOR REJECT – CASE NOT FILED. DMV SUSPENSION OVERTURNED. ARREST RECORDS SEALED.
CLIENT: A.M.
COURTHOUSE: NORTH JUSTICE CENTER – FULLERTON
CHARGES: FELONY DUI (.16 BREATH) GREAT BODILY INJURY
FINAL RESULT: NO STATE PRISON OR JAIL TIME – ELECTRONIC CONFINEMENT.
CLIENT: L.B.
COURTHOUSE: WEST JUSTICE CENTER – WESTMINSTER
CHARGES: 2ND DUI (.23 BLOOD) SUSPENDED LICENSE
FINAL RESULT: NO JAIL TIME – ELECTRONIC CONFINEMENT.
Google Client Reviews
As a former Los Angeles prosecutor, Richard Wagner understands how police investigate DUI cases and how prosecutors present evidence to build their case. For more than 27 years, he has used that insider knowledge to successfully defend clients facing DUI charges throughout Orange County.
Facing a misdemeanor or felony DUI charge in Orange County? Don’t make any decisions before speaking with an experienced Orange County DUI Lawyer. Richard Wagner provides personalized legal representation built around the specific facts of your case, not a one-size-fits-all defense. Call (714) 721-4423 today for a confidential consultation.
DUI Defense Lawyer Richard Wagner – FAQ’s
Drivers arrested for DUI often have urgent questions about their driver’s license, court case, and potential penalties. Below are answers to some of the most important questions people ask when searching for a DUI lawyer in Orange County.
Choosing the best DUI lawyer in Orange County depends on experience, knowledge of local courts, and the ability to challenge DUI evidence effectively. Richard Wagner is a former Los Angeles DUI prosecutor with over 27 years of experience defending DUI cases throughout Orange County. He understands how prosecutors build DUI cases and uses that insider knowledge to challenge the evidence against his clients. Learn more about what to look for in the best DUI lawyers in Orange County and how the right defense strategy can protect your rights at every stage.
If you were arrested for DUI in Orange County, speaking with an experienced DUI lawyer in Orange County should be your first step. It is critical to act immediately. Write down everything you remember about the traffic stop and arrest, keep all paperwork, and avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your attorney. In most California DUI cases, you have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing to challenge the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. Learn more about the California DUI 10-day rule and DMV hearings in DUI cases.
You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a DMV administrative hearing. If you miss this deadline, your license will be automatically suspended with no extensions available. This DMV process is entirely separate from your criminal court case and must be handled independently. Acting quickly allows a DUI lawyer to stay the suspension, preserve your driving privileges, and begin building your defense from the earliest possible stage.
A DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing is a separate proceeding from your criminal court case. At the hearing, a DMV hearing officer reviews the evidence surrounding your arrest, including whether the officer had reasonable cause to stop you, whether the arrest was lawful, and whether your BAC was at or above the legal limit. You have the right to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and challenge the suspension. Winning a DMV hearing can prevent your license from being suspended entirely. Learn more about how DMV hearings work in DUI cases and how Richard Wagner fights to protect driving privileges from the moment of arrest.
After a DUI arrest in California, the arresting officer typically confiscates your physical license and issues a temporary pink slip that allows you to drive for 30 days. However, if you do not request a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest, your license will be automatically suspended at the end of those 30 days. Requesting a hearing stays the suspension while the hearing is pending. An experienced DUI lawyer can request the hearing on your behalf immediately and fight to preserve your driving privileges throughout the process.
DUI penalties in California increase significantly with each conviction. A first DUI can result in up to 6 months in jail, fines up to $10,000, a 4-month license suspension, probation, and 3 to 9 months of DUI school. A second DUI carries a minimum of 96 hours in jail, fines up to $20,000, a 2-year license suspension, and 18 to 30 months of DUI school. A third DUI can result in a minimum of 120 days in jail, a 3-year license suspension, and 30 months of DUI school. Aggravating factors such as a high BAC, refusal to test, injury to another person, or a child in the vehicle can significantly increase these penalties.
A second DUI in California is treated far more seriously than a first offense. While a first DUI may result in probation and a short license suspension, a second DUI within 10 years carries mandatory minimum jail time of at least 96 hours, a 2-year license suspension, a longer DUI school program, and the possibility of an ignition interlock device requirement. Prosecutors in Orange County typically take a harder stance on repeat offenders, making experienced legal representation even more critical for second-offense cases. Learn more about second DUI defense in Orange County.
Yes. Many DUI cases involve weaknesses in the evidence that a skilled defense attorney can identify and challenge. Issues such as an unlawful traffic stop, unreliable breath testing equipment, improper police procedures, or errors in blood sample handling may allow a case to be reduced to a wet reckless or dismissed entirely. A thorough legal review of the arrest circumstances, chemical testing records, and officer conduct can uncover these issues and create meaningful leverage in negotiations or at
Orange County DUI Lawyer Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner works with expert witnesses, forensic consultants, and private investigators to build defenses that hold up. Over 27 years he has handled thousands of DUI and criminal cases throughout Orange County, with results including not-guilty verdicts, dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges.
Whether you are facing a first-time DUI or a felony charge, Richard Wagner offers a free consultation to walk through your options and explain what the evidence actually means for your case.
Richard Wagner Will Fight For You
Priority #1: Zealous Advocacy, Protection Of Your Constitutional Rights
The Law Office of Richard Wagner, A Professional Corporation, focuses primarily on DUI defense. Wagner spent years as a Los Angeles DUI prosecutor before spending the last 27+ years defending the same types of cases in Orange County courts and at DMV hearings.
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, call his office: (714) 721-4423.
Including your Constitutional Right:
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