Irvine DUI Lawyers

Real Results. Real Clients.

• DUI – reduced to illegal U-turn
• DUI – evidence suppressed, charges dismissed
• DUI (.24%) – reduced to reckless driving
• DUI (.26%, accident) – reduced to reckless driving
• Felony DUI – reduced to misdemeanor, no jail
• Second DUI – charges dismissed

Why People Call Us After a DUI Arrest

• California’s First DUI-Only Law Firm – Founded in 1979 by “The Dean of DUI Attorneys,” Lawrence Taylor.
• Exclusive Focus on DUI Defense – We don’t dabble. DUI defense is all we do.
• In-House Scientific Experts – The only California DUI firm with full-time staff specializing in breath testing, blood alcohol analysis, and DMV proceedings.
• Respected by Courts and the Bar – AV-rated, featured in the ABA Journal, and approved by the California State Bar to teach DUI defense to other attorneys.
• Local Knowledge – Decades of experience defending DUI charges in Orange County courts, including Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

A Legacy That Still Leads the Field

Founded by the late Lawrence Taylor, one of the original ten founders of the National College for DUI Defense and author of Drunk Driving Defense, the most cited treatise on DUI law in the country, The Law Offices of Taylor & Taylor has shaped the legal landscape of DUI defense in California. 

Taylor’s work has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court, and his leadership helped set the standard for how DUI cases are defended nationwide.

Today, his legacy continues through a team of trial-tested attorneys and in-house experts who remain respected by countless clients and colleagues:

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Understanding DUI Charges in California

California DUI laws are strict, and prosecutors enforce them aggressively. Most people know about the 0.08% BAC limit, but DUI charges can apply in many more scenarios, including for drivers under 21, commercial drivers, and anyone suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, cannabis, or other controlled substances.

Legal BAC limits in California:

• 0.08% or higher – Adult drivers (age 21+)
• 0.04% or higher – Commercial drivers
• 0.01% or higher – Drivers under 21 (zero tolerance)

Even drivers with a BAC below these limits can still face DUI charges if law enforcement believes they were impaired.

At The Law Offices of Taylor & Taylor, our Irvine DUI attorneys are equipped to defend all types of DUI charges, including those involving serious enhancements, prior convictions, or allegations of drug impairment. Regardless of the circumstances, we approach each case with a strategic, evidence-driven defense tailored to the specific facts.

We handle the full spectrum of DUI-related cases, including:

• First-time DUI and repeat DUI offenses
• Felony DUI and DUI causing injury (VC § 23153)
• DUI involving drugs (including marijuana)
• Underage DUI
• Commercial driver and out-of-state DUI cases
• Refusal cases and chemical test violations
• DUI with enhancements (child passenger, high BAC, accidents)
• DMV hearings and license suspension challenges
• DUI for military members and licensed professionals
• DUI-related bench warrants, probation violations, and expungements

Our team includes former prosecutors and in-house experts in toxicology, police procedure, and DMV regulations, all working together to protect your rights and challenge the government’s case.

DUI Penalties in California

California imposes escalating penalties for repeat DUI offenses and enhancements for certain aggravating factors. Penalties can include jail time, fines, license suspension, DUI education programs, probation, and ignition interlock device (IID) installation.

First DUI Offense

• Fines: $390 to $1,000 (plus substantial penalty assessments)
• Jail: Up to 6 months
• License Suspension: 6 months
• DUI School: 3-month program
• Probation: Typically 3 to 5 years
• IID: Often required for restricted driving privileges

Second DUI (within 10 years)

• Jail: 96 hours to 1 year
• License Suspension: 2 years
• DUI School: 18–30 months
• IID: Mandatory for up to 1 year

Third DUI (within 10 years)

• Jail: 120 days to 1 year
• License Suspension: 3 years
• DUI School: 30 months
• IID: Mandatory for up to 2 years

Aggravating Factors That Increase Penalties

• BAC of 0.15% or higher
• Refusal to submit to chemical testing
• DUI with a minor passenger (under age 14)
• Causing injury or death (may trigger felony DUI or DUI with injury charges)

A Note on Chemical Testing

Under California’s implied consent law, drivers are legally required to submit to a chemical test after a lawful arrest. 

Refusal leads to mandatory license suspensions:

• 1 year (first refusal)
• 2 years (second refusal)
• 3 years (third refusal)

Building an Effective DUI Defense

No two DUI cases are alike, and your defense should never be one-size-fits-all. 

At The Law Offices of Taylor & Taylor, we begin with a thorough review of the facts, including:

• Whether the traffic stop was constitutional
• The officer’s observations and conduct during the arrest
• Calibration and maintenance of the breathalyzer or blood-testing equipment
• Chain of custody and lab handling of your blood sample
• Whether standardized field sobriety tests (FSTs) were properly administered

We also re-test borderline BAC samples using independent forensic labs at no cost to our clients. In drug-related DUI cases (DUID), we frequently consult pharmacology and toxicology experts to challenge flawed assumptions about impairment and the effects of prescribed medications.

Our mission is to dismantle the prosecution’s case and limit or eliminate the long-term consequences of a DUI arrest.

Facing DUI charges in Irvine, CA? Call (949) 752-1550 or contact us online to request a FREE consultation with a DUI defense attorney at our firm.