Costa Mesa DUI Attorney

Former DUI Prosecutor with 27+ Years of Experience Defending DUI Cases Across Orange County

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Costa Mesa, what you do next can directly impact your case, your license, and your future. Understanding your rights and acting quickly is critical.

Working with an experienced DUI Lawyer Orange County early in the process can make a significant difference. From challenging the legality of the stop to reviewing chemical test evidence and representing you at DMV hearings, the right defense strategy starts immediately.

You can rely on Irvine DUI Attorney Richard Wagner’s decades of experience to fight your DUI charges. Read Richard Wagner’s profile

“Rich, it went really well today. Thanks for all your support and preparation. We appreciate your professional advice!” – M.C., Costa Mesa Read what others have to say

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can put everyone on the road at risk. A DUI conviction in Costa Mesa can carry serious legal and personal consequences, including:

Hefty fines
Jail time
Loss of your driver’s license
Damage to your reputation
Impact on a professional or business license

Many drivers do not realize how serious a DUI arrest can become until they are already facing court dates, DMV deadlines, and possible license suspension. Acting quickly and working with a skilled DUI Lawyer Orange County can help protect your rights and your future.

Highly Rated and Reviewed DUI Defense Attorney

Top 100 Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers
Top One Percent Attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
5-Star Reviews and a Superb 10.0/10.0 Rating on AVVO
5-Star Reviews on Google
5-Star Reviews on Yelp

Having an experienced attorney for your DUI in Costa Mesa can make a critical difference when facing DUI or other criminal charges.

Call Richard Wagner (714) 721-4423 today to confidentially discuss your situation and begin building your defense.

Criminal Charges for a DUI in Costa Mesa

Some DUI arrests happen after traffic stops. Others happen after accidents, welfare checks, or when police find someone asleep in a parked car. In California, you can be charged with DUI for driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit.

You are not allowed to drive with a BAC at or above:

0.08% for drivers 21 and over in a non-commercial vehicle
0.04% for drivers 21 and over while driving a commercial vehicle or passenger-for-hire vehicle
0.01% for drivers under 21 and drivers on DUI probation

California prosecutors can also file DUI charges even if your BAC does not exceed the legal limit, using Vehicle Code sections 23152(a) and 23153(a) based on observed impairment.

It is also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs.

For a free legal consultation with a DUI lawyer serving Costa Mesa, call (714) 721-4423.

Richard Wagner Handles All Stages of Your Costa Mesa DUI

Arraignment
Bail hearings
DMV license suspension hearing
Expungement and sealing arrest records
Jury trials
Pretrial conferences
Probation violation hearings
Mandatory settlement conferences
Restitution hearings
Trial readiness conferences
Warrant recall hearings

DUI Attorney Richard Wagner does not take your money and hand your case off to another attorney with less experience. He handles your case from start to finish.

DUIs in Costa Mesa and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

A DUI arrest triggers two separate battles:

Your criminal court case
Your DMV license suspension hearing

The DMV gives you only 10 days after a DUI arrest or violation to request a hearing. If you do not act on time and correctly, your license can be automatically suspended.

The DMV has the power to suspend or revoke your license even if your DUI charges are later reduced or dismissed. Read more about DMV Hearings

A professional DUI Lawyer Orange County can help you understand how the criminal case and DMV hearing work together and build the right defense strategy from the beginning.

You only have 10 days to act. Call (714) 721-4423 now to protect your license and your rights.

Punishment for a DUI Conviction in Costa Mesa

You can face severe criminal penalties if you are convicted of DUI in Orange County courts. The penalties for a DUI become harsher as you accumulate more DUI convictions.

DUI charges can also become more serious when aggravating facts are involved, such as:

Minors in the vehicle
Injuries to others
Excessive speed and reckless driving
High BAC
Refusing a blood or breath test
Hit-and-run or accident

The CHP patrols State Route 73, State Route 55, and Interstate 405 looking for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. Costa Mesa Police officers also patrol streets such as Bristol, 17th Street, and Harbor Boulevard looking for impaired drivers.

The Costa Mesa Police Department is located at 99 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California.

DUI arrests may occur near the many popular spots in Costa Mesa, including restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment areas. Given the seriousness of a DUI charge, it is important to speak with Costa Mesa DUI attorney Richard Wagner without delay.

How a DUI Lawyer Can Help

After reviewing the evidence in your case, your lawyer may be able to seek dismissal by filing a motion to suppress under California Penal Code 1538.5.

This may involve showing that the officer violated your 4th Amendment rights through an unlawful stop or arrest. Read more about unreasonable searches and seizures

DUI defense also includes reviewing whether the police conducted field sobriety tests according to NHTSA standards or whether a DUI checkpoint was operated according to constitutional guidelines.

Early legal intervention from an experienced DUI Lawyer Orange County can lead to reduced charges or dismissal in the right case.

Costa Mesa DUI Evidence

A skilled Costa Mesa DUI attorney can serve subpoenas on Costa Mesa PD for evidence that may help your defense, including video footage, audio recordings, and police dispatch tapes related to your DUI investigation.

To build your defense, a complete investigation includes reviewing whether police violated any constitutional or statutory rights.

Your DUI defense attorney should thoroughly review the Driving Under the Influence Report and the DMV DS367 officer’s statement.

Your attorney can also request all relevant evidence obtained during the investigation under California discovery laws, including evidence that may support your innocence under Brady v. Maryland.

If you gave a blood sample, subpoenas can be served on the CMPD or Orange County crime lab for blood testing procedures and lab protocols. Read more about DUI Blood Tests in California

In breath test cases, the review may include checklists, calibration records, maintenance logs, accuracy checks, and officer training and certification records. Read more about Breath Tests in California DUI cases

It is highly recommended that you rely on a professional DUI Lawyer Orange County to assess your legal options and build a strong defense while helping you handle both your court case and DMV hearing.

Costa Mesa DUI Court / DMV Information

If you were arrested in Costa Mesa for DUI, your case will generally be heard in the West Justice Center, in Westminster, California.

West Justice Center – Westminster

8141 13th Street
Westminster, CA 92683

The DMV for your Administrative Per Se hearing is the Driver Safety Branch, located at 790 The City Drive, Suite 420, Orange, California, (714) 703-2511. Read about DMV Hearings

Costa Mesa Driving Under the Influence Program

Gold Coast Counseling
2950 Airway, Suite B-3
(714) 641-0532