DUI Defense

DUI Attorney in Pasadena

Trial-Ready Criminal Defense for Drunk Driving Charges in Pasadena & Los Angeles County

A DUI arrest in Pasadena sets two simultaneous processes in motion: a criminal case in court and a DMV administrative proceeding that can suspend your license. You have just 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a DMV hearing and contest that suspension. Acting before that deadline can affect both proceedings. At Escovar Law, APC, we handle both from day one.

Led by founding attorney Steve Escovar, our firm has been in private practice in Pasadena since 1998. We’ve handled hundreds of criminal defense cases since 1994, and Steve has taken more than 80 jury trials to verdict across his career. That depth of courtroom experience shapes how we approach every DUI case, from the first consultation through verdict or resolution. We offer free initial consultations, 24/7 availability, and bilingual representation in English and Spanish.

Don’t wait on the 10-day DMV deadline. Call Escovar Law, APC now at (626) 577-7700 for a free, confidential consultation, available any time of day or night.

Why Pasadena Residents Choose Escovar Law, APC for DUI Defense

Steve Escovar is recognized among the “Nation’s Top One Percent” of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and holds an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating. He has served as President of the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association and has been named one of Pasadena’s Top Attorneys by Pasadena Magazine. His commentary has appeared on CNN Español, Telemundo, and Univision. Steve is also licensed and admitted to the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Federal Southern, Central, and Eastern Districts.

Before entering private practice, Steve built his foundation as a Deputy Public Defender in San Diego and Los Angeles Counties. That experience on both sides of the courtroom informs how we identify procedural weaknesses and build a defense. We approach every case with the same preparation we’d bring to trial because we know prosecutors do the same. Flexible payment plans are available for DUI and other criminal defense matters, and each case is handled with confidentiality and urgency.

DUI Cases We Handle in Pasadena

We represent clients facing the full range of DUI charges in Pasadena and throughout Los Angeles County. Each charge type carries its own penalties, procedural considerations, and defense opportunities.

First-Offense DUI: Typically charged as a misdemeanor under California Vehicle Code 23152. Consequences can include fines, license suspension, DUI school, and possible jail time.
Felony DUI: Charged when a DUI causes injury or when a driver has four or more DUI convictions within 10 years. Penalties are significantly harsher and can include state prison time.
Drug & Marijuana DUI: California law prohibits driving while impaired by any substance, including legal cannabis and prescription medications. Impairment, not blood alcohol content (BAC), is the standard.
Underage DUI: California’s zero-tolerance law sets a 0.01% BAC limit for drivers under 21, far below the 0.08% threshold that applies to adults.
DUI With Injury: Can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony depending on injury severity and may include restitution to injured parties.
Commercial Driver DUI: Commercial drivers face a lower BAC limit of 0.04% and career-level consequences, including CDL suspension.
DMV Administrative Hearings: Separate from the criminal case, this proceeding addresses your driver’s license and must be requested within 10 days of arrest.

How DUI Cases Move Through the Pasadena Courthouse

DUI cases in Pasadena are prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and heard at the Pasadena Courthouse, Los Angeles Superior Court. The criminal process typically moves from arrest to arraignment, where a plea is entered, through pre-trial motions, plea negotiations, and trial if no resolution is reached. In many situations, we can appear at routine hearings on your behalf so you don’t have to miss work for every court date.

Pre-trial motions are where significant defense work happens. We can challenge whether the initial traffic stop was lawful, whether field sobriety tests were properly administered, and whether breathalyzer or blood test results hold up under scrutiny. The DMV hearing runs on a separate track and must be managed alongside the criminal case. Both require prompt attention from the moment of arrest.

Start with a Free Consultation Today

The days immediately after a DUI arrest matter. Our team is available around the clock, consultations are free, and we handle cases in English and Spanish. Flexible payment plans mean cost doesn’t have to stand between you and the representation you need.

Call Escovar Law, APC at (626) 577-7700 to speak with our team now. We’re available 24/7 and ready to get to work on your case today.

California DUI Penalties by Offense Level

California imposes escalating penalties for DUI convictions. Understanding what’s at stake makes clear why a strong defense matters at every stage.

First Misdemeanor DUI

Up to 6 months in county jail, fines of approximately $1,000 plus assessments, license suspension of 4 to 12 months, DUI school of 3 to 9 months, and a possible ignition interlock device (IID) requirement. An IID is installed in the vehicle and requires the driver to pass a breath test before the engine will start.

Second Misdemeanor DUI

96 hours to 1 year in county jail, license suspension up to 2 years, DUI school of 18 or 30 months, and an IID requirement of 1 year (except refusal cases).

Third Misdemeanor DUI

120 days to 1 year in county jail, license suspension up to 3 years, DUI school of 18 to 30 months, and an IID requirement of 2 years.

Felony DUI

A fourth offense within 10 years, or any DUI causing injury, can be charged as a felony. For a fourth-offense felony DUI, penalties include 16 months to 3 years in state prison, fines plus assessments, a 4-year license revocation, and DUI school up to 30 months. A DUI causing serious injury can carry longer prison exposure depending on the circumstances.

Beyond criminal penalties, a DUI conviction can significantly raise auto insurance premiums, affect employment prospects, and remain visible on a driving record for 10 years. Under California Vehicle Code 23152(a), a driver can also be charged with DUI without a BAC result if the prosecution can show their ability to operate a vehicle was impaired. BAC thresholds are 0.08% for drivers 21 and over, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.01% for drivers under 21 or those on DUI probation.

How We Build a DUI Defense

Steve’s background as a Deputy Public Defender means he understands how prosecutors construct DUI cases and where procedural weaknesses typically arise. With more than 80 jury trials to verdict, we prepare every DUI case as if it will go to trial because that preparation can shape the case at every stage, including negotiated resolutions before a jury is ever seated.

A DUI defense can take several directions depending on the facts of the case:

Lawfulness of the stop: An officer must have probable cause to pull a driver over. Evidence obtained from an unlawful stop may be suppressed.
Field sobriety test reliability: These tests are subjective. Road conditions, lighting, footwear, and medical conditions can all affect performance independently of intoxication.
Breathalyzer accuracy: Results can be challenged based on improper calibration, maintenance records, or failure to observe the required 15-minute pre-test period.
Blood test procedures: Chain-of-custody errors, improper storage, or lab procedure issues can undermine blood test results.
Charge reduction: In appropriate cases, a DUI charge may be reduced to a “wet reckless” (reckless driving involving alcohol under Vehicle Code 23103.5), which carries fewer long-term consequences than a DUI conviction.
DUI expungement: After completing a sentence that didn’t include state prison, a California DUI conviction may be eligible for expungement, allowing the conviction to be withdrawn from the public record.

We investigate each case thoroughly, including witness interviews, document collection, and expert consultations when the facts call for them. Each defense is built around the specific circumstances of your arrest and charge.

True Stories from Real Clients

What Our Clients Are Saying

Client satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do. These testimonials reflect the quality, care, and results we strive to deliver every day.

Read More Reviews

My family and I are eternally grateful for his service
“Mr. Escobar represented me in a case that I had been fighting for more than a decade. I went through a couple of Beverly Hills Lawyers in the past few years and my case was never resolved, what they couldn’t accomplish, Mr. Escobar was able to do in less than 6 months. There is no other word to describe his work other than “Incredible”. From the first time I met Mr. Escobar, I notice that he came across extremely professional, honorable, and dedicated. He was on top of all of the new laws and was up to date on all the changes as they happened daily. That is very important if you want to have the best lawyer at your side when you fall into an unfortunate situation. As soon as I started my case Mr. Escobar’s team reach out to me immediately to make sure we were on the same page and all documents were in order. Mr. Escobar was in constant contact with me through my entire case and always keep me up to date on the entire process. My family and I are eternally grateful for his service and I hereby recommend Mr. Escobar without reservation.”

- Mr. Zavala
He was honest with me from the start
“I was frightened and distrustful when I walked into Steve Escovar’s office in December of 2016. The possible consequences to my situation were devastatingly life-altering, and I was worried, to say the least. I had read good reviews on Mr. Escovar’s abilities and results, but I was still skeptical. He was honest with me from the start. He didn’t downplay the significance of what I faced, but he reassured me that if I followed his advice; by presenting him with documents he requested, he would do his job, and the outcome might be better than what I imagined. He was calm and supportive while I fretted. Most importantly, he got the best results I could never have imagined anyone could achieve. He got my case dismissed. He knew I was innocent and somehow was able to make the D.A. realize it too. Steve is a fighter, and he was willing to go all the way for me. He likes to win, and the results speak for themselves. If you’re ever in a situation where your future is at stake, I highly recommend you call Steve. Believe him. Do your part, and he will do his. He’s a professional, he knows his stuff, and I can’t thank him enough for giving me my future back. I don’t plan on having any more situations like this in my life, but if I do, I’d hire him in a nanosecond. Great Attorney. An honest man with integrity.”

- Doug
I have full confidence in his abilities as an attorney.
“After so many bad attorneys that did my family and I wrong, finding Steve Escovar to represent my family member was an absolute miracle. He is extremely knowledgeable and honest. Steve was a beacon of hope to our family at a time when our options appeared to be limited and the likelihood of resolutions seemed slim. I would highly recommend Steve Escovar. I have full confidence in his abilities as an attorney. We are very fortunate to have found Steve, he did a fabulous job representing and winning our family members case! We are forever grateful.”

- Rose
Best Lawyer in the whole world!!!!
“I had a very complicated case and thanks to Mr. Escovar I had my case dismissed. I really appreciate he was always there for me, keeping me informed with updates in my case. He is so professional and trustworthy. I loved the fact that he speaks Spanish which made our communication easier. Words can not describe how thankful I am for all what he did for me. Best Lawyer in the whole world!!!! I would definitely recommend him to everyone!!! Thank you so much, Mr. Escovar!!!”

- Karen
Steve always gave a sense of professionalism.
“Steve Escovar at Escovar and Avila, LLP did an outstanding job defending me from a baseless, frivolous legal issue and got the matter dismissed without me having to say a word. I’ve had some very high profile attorneys in my business life in the past, and I must say that Steve always gave a sense of professionalism. In addition, he and his office were very organized and it truly felt like he cared. I would highly recommend Steve Escovar for anyone that finds themselves in need of an attorney. We are going to continue to use him with this ongoing matter.”

- William
Steve and his team were able to get positive results for my family member and we are forever grateful.
“When we felt all hope was lost, we were fortunate enough to have met Steve Escovar. Steve and his team handled my family member’s case with top notch dedication, care, patience, and professionalism. Steve was able to do in less than 3 months what my family member’s previous attorney could not do in 3 years. Steve and his team were able to get positive results for my family member and we are forever grateful. We highly recommend Steve Escovar for legal assistance.”

- Alana

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Why Choose Escovar Law, APC?

Free, initial case evaluations for clients
Featured in CNN Español, Telemundo, and Univision as a legal commenter
Former President of the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association
Qualified Federal Death Penalty Trial Counsel – Attorney
Nation’s Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC)
Named one of Pasadena's Top Attorneys by Pasadena Magazine