What to Do After a DUI Arrest in California: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting arrested for DUI is overwhelming. Here is exactly what you need to do in the first 10 days to protect your license, your record, and your future.
You Just Got Arrested for DUI. Now What?
A DUI arrest in California triggers two separate legal processes that run on different timelines. Most people only think about the criminal case, but the DMV administrative action is actually more urgent.
Here is what you need to know, step by step.
Step 1: Request a DMV Hearing Within 10 Days
This is the most critical deadline. When you were arrested, the officer confiscated your license and gave you a pink temporary license. That temporary license expires in 30 days.
But here is the catch: you must request an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing within 10 calendar days of your arrest. If you miss this deadline, your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Jack Ter-Saakyan contacts the DMV on behalf of his clients, often the same day they call. This hearing request also extends your temporary driving privileges until the hearing takes place.
Step 2: Do Not Talk to Anyone About Your Case
Anything you say to friends, family, or on social media can be used against you. The only person you should discuss the details of your arrest with is your attorney.
This includes:
- Do not post about the arrest on social media
- Do not text friends about what happened
- Do not call the arresting agency to "explain"
- Do not speak with insurance adjusters without legal counsel
Step 3: Write Down Everything You Remember
Memories fade fast. Within 24 hours of your release, write down everything you can remember about the stop, the field sobriety tests, the breath or blood test, and the arrest itself.
Key details to document:
- What time were you pulled over?
- What reason did the officer give for the stop?
- Were you read your Miranda rights?
- How were the field sobriety tests administered?
- Did you take a breath test, blood test, or both?
- Were there any witnesses?
These details can reveal procedural errors that Jack can use to challenge the charges.
Step 4: Hire an Experienced DUI Attorney
A DUI conviction in California carries serious consequences: license suspension, fines up to $10,000, mandatory DUI school, probation, and potentially jail time. For felony DUI, you could face state prison.
You need an attorney who knows the local courts, the local prosecutors, and the specific judges who will handle your case. Jack Ter-Saakyan has practiced in Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and Downtown LA courthouses for 20 years.
Step 5: Understand the Two Tracks
Track 1: DMV Administrative ActionThe DMV will try to suspend your license based solely on the arrest report and chemical test results. This is a civil proceeding, not criminal. Jack represents you at the DMV hearing to fight the suspension.
Track 2: Criminal Court CaseThe District Attorney files criminal charges, and your case proceeds through arraignment, pretrial hearings, and potentially trial. Jack handles every court appearance and fights for the best possible outcome: dismissal, reduced charges, or acquittal.
The Bottom Line
The first 10 days after a DUI arrest are the most important. Every hour you wait, your options shrink. Call Jack Ter-Saakyan for a free, confidential consultation. He personally reviews every case and will tell you exactly where you stand.