Answers When You Need Them Most

Call a DUI defense attorney immediately, ideally within hours, not days. You have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing to save your license. Do not discuss your case with anyone except your attorney, do not post on social media, and write down everything you remember about the arrest while it is fresh. Jack is available 24/7. Call now for a free case review.

For a first-offense misdemeanor DUI, jail time is often avoidable with proper legal representation. Many first-time cases result in probation, fines, and DUI school, not jail. For repeat offenses or felony DUI, the risk increases, but alternatives like house arrest or treatment programs may be available. The key is getting an experienced attorney involved early. Call Jack to discuss your specific situation.

Not if you act fast. You have exactly 10 calendar days from your arrest to request a DMV hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended, no exceptions. Jack handles the DMV hearing process and fights to keep you driving. The pink slip you received at arrest serves as a temporary license for 30 days, and requesting the hearing extends it further.

A first-offense DUI can result in 3-5 years of probation, $1,500-$2,600 in fines and assessments, a 3 or 9-month DUI education program, 6-month license suspension, and up to 6 months in county jail. Your insurance rates will also spike significantly. However, with an aggressive defense, many of these penalties can be reduced or eliminated entirely. Jack has gotten first-time DUI charges dismissed, reduced to wet reckless, or reduced to non-DUI infractions.

Beyond legal fees, a DUI conviction can cost $10,000-$15,000+ when you factor in fines, DUI school, increased insurance premiums (which last for years), license reinstatement fees, and potential lost income. That is why investing in a strong defense upfront often saves money in the long run. Jack offers a free consultation to evaluate your case and discuss options.

A DUI conviction stays on your criminal record permanently unless expunged, and it counts as a prior offense for 10 years. It can affect professional licenses, security clearances, commercial driving privileges, and certain job applications. Jack works to minimize these consequences and can petition for expungement once probation is completed.

They are two completely separate proceedings. The DMV hearing is administrative and determines whether your license gets suspended. The court case is criminal and determines guilt and penalties like fines, probation, or jail. You need to fight both, and they have different rules and timelines. Jack handles both simultaneously to build the strongest overall defense.

Most misdemeanor DUI cases take 2-6 months from arrest to resolution. Felony cases can take longer. The timeline depends on the complexity of the case, the court's calendar, and whether the case goes to trial. For most misdemeanor cases, Jack can appear on your behalf so you do not have to miss work or face the stress of going to court yourself.

Yes, and it happens more often than people think. DUI cases can be dismissed for illegal traffic stops, improperly administered field sobriety tests, faulty or uncalibrated breathalyzer equipment, violations of your constitutional rights, improper blood draw procedures, and other procedural errors. Jack knows exactly where to look for these weaknesses because he has spent 20 years in criminal defense. He understands how cases are built, and he knows how they fall apart.

A wet reckless (VC 23103/23103.5) is a reduced charge that carries lighter penalties than a DUI: lower fines, shorter probation, shorter DUI school, and less impact on your record and insurance. It is often the result of successful plea negotiations when the evidence has weaknesses. Jack evaluates every case for wet reckless potential as part of his defense strategy.

No. Never plead guilty without having an experienced DUI attorney review your case first. There may be defenses you are not aware of: problems with the stop, the testing, or the procedures that could result in reduced charges or dismissal. A DUI conviction follows you for 10 years. Jack offers a free consultation specifically to identify these opportunities before you make any decisions.

Jack Ter-Saakyan brings 20 years of criminal defense experience to DUI cases. Not just DUI experience, but serious criminal defense work that gives him a deeper understanding of courtroom strategy, evidence challenges, and prosecutor tactics. He handles every case personally (you will never be passed to a junior associate), he has extensive experience at every courthouse in the Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and Downtown LA area, and he is available 24/7. Call for a free consultation and see the difference.

DUI attorney fees vary widely, from a few thousand dollars for a straightforward first offense to significantly more for complex felony cases. Jack's pricing reflects his philosophy: serious defense at reasonable fees. His 20 years of experience allow him to quickly identify what matters in a case, avoid wasted time, and focus resources where they have the most impact. That efficiency means clients get high-level defense without inflated billing. Jack offers a free consultation where he will evaluate your case and provide transparent pricing with no surprises.

Not necessarily. What matters is experience, strategy, and how well your attorney knows the local courts. Some firms charge premium fees for the same work a more efficient attorney can do better. Jack's 20 years of criminal defense experience, combined with deep local courthouse knowledge, means he can often achieve strong results more efficiently than larger, more expensive firms. The consultation is free. Call and judge for yourself.