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.