DUI Attorney in Huntington Beach

Facing a DUI in Huntington Beach? Our Team Is Ready to Help

 If you are facing DUI charges in Huntington Beach, you might feel overwhelmed or unsure of what comes next. The stakes are high—your driver’s license, reputation, career, and even your freedom could be at risk. These situations move quickly and often feel confusing, but you do not have to handle them alone.

Our team at Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC focuses exclusively on criminal defense, including drunk driving charges. With more than a century of combined experience and a collaborative approach, we provide relentless advocacy for clients who need swift, effective help. We know what you are up against in Orange County’s legal system, and we are available to answer your call twenty-four hours a day, every day of the week.

From the moment you reach out, you will find that we treat every client with respect and urgency. Our DUI defense attorneys are not just experienced. Our team includes former prosecutors and attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell for their skill. In a challenging moment, you deserve a trusted team that knows how Huntington Beach cases are handled and who stands ready to put every resource to work for you.

Protect your license and your freedom today. Call (949) 251-0330 or contact us online to speak with a DUI attorney in Huntington Beach.

Understanding DUI Defense Laws in California

California law defines two primary ways a driver can be charged with DUI (Vehicle Code 23152), and prosecutors typically charge both to maximize their chances of conviction. Our firm prepares a dual defense for both charges.

• VC § 23152(a)—DUI of Alcohol or Drugs: This charge requires the prosecution to prove that the driver was "under the influence" of alcohol or drugs to a degree that their physical or mental abilities were impaired and they could no longer drive as safely as a sober person. This charge is often based on the officer's subjective observation (Field Sobriety Tests, slurred speech).
• VC § 23152(b)—DUI Per Se: This charge makes it illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. This is the objective charge, relying solely on chemical test results (breath or blood).

While a conviction on both counts only results in one DUI conviction, the complexity of defending against two separate legal theories demands an experienced Huntington Beach DUI defense lawyer.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Huntington Beach

A first-offense misdemeanor DUI carries severe mandatory penalties. We provide experienced representation to fight to mitigate or eliminate these consequences.

• Mandatory Jail: Up to six months in county jail (with a minimum of 96 hours, 48 of which must be continuous, unless probation is granted).
• Fines: Fines starting at $390 but totaling well over $2,000 with court assessments and fees.
• License Suspension: Mandatory suspension (4 months to 10 months), typically followed by a mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for six months or a one-year restricted license requirement, depending on the county.
• DUI School: Mandatory enrollment in a 3-month (30-hour) state-approved DUI education program.
• Probation and Record: Three to five years of informal probation, and a permanent criminal record that cannot be expunged.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Huntington Beach

Taking quick, informed action after a DUI arrest can protect your rights and expand your legal options. In Huntington Beach, arrests for drunk driving often begin with a traffic stop or checkpoint conducted by the Huntington Beach Police Department. 

After you are taken into custody, you may be released with a court date that is typically set in the Orange County Superior Court, usually at the West Justice Center. You may also receive information about a separate DMV administrative process regarding your license.

Many people do not realize there is only a short window (often ten days) to request a DMV hearing to contest a potential license suspension. Missing this step can result in an automatic suspension, even before a court verdict. 

Initial arraignment in court is usually scheduled within a few weeks, depending on case volume and court scheduling. The choices made immediately after arrest—whether you speak with police, what you say, whether you request legal representation—can impact your case for months to come.

Critical steps to take after a DUI arrest in Huntington Beach include:

• Requesting a DMV hearing right away to protect your driver’s license
• Speaking with a drunk driving lawyer before discussing your case with law enforcement
• Gathering and preserving any paperwork or evidence related to your arrest
• Contacting an attorney as quickly as possible to start building your defense

Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of local court processes and handle these issues for clients arrested in the city. We are ready to guide you through every step, from initial release to case resolution in Orange County courts.

How We Defend Drunk Driving Cases in the Area

No two DUI cases are exactly alike. At Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, we start by listening to your account, reviewing all available evidence, and examining law enforcement procedures with a careful eye. Our team draws on the combined experience of attorneys who have handled thousands of criminal matters in Orange County, including complex drunk driving defense cases.

One of our greatest strengths is understanding both sides of the criminal process. Several members of our team have served as prosecutors, which allows us to anticipate the strategies that may be used by the district attorney’s office in Huntington Beach. We know what arguments are likely to be raised, how police reports are constructed, and where mistakes or rights violations can occur in the process.

We work to resolve DUI cases using a range of defense strategies. These may include:

• Challenging the legality of the stop or arrest by Huntington Beach officers
• Questioning the accuracy and administration of breath or blood tests
• Examining field sobriety testing procedures conducted near the beach or on local streets
• Identifying procedural errors or lack of probable cause
• Presenting mitigating evidence and building a complete story for the court

Our approach is always personalized. We consider your specific facts, your goals, and the realities of court procedures in Huntington Beach. By pooling our knowledge and drawing on prosecutor insights, we strive to put every available option on the table. With our team by your side, you have strong support every step of the way.

Why Choose Us for Your Drunk Driving Defense

Not all drunk driving attorneys approach cases the same way. At Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, we believe that your defense deserves more than a one-size-fits-all strategy. Every client benefits not just from a single attorney’s knowledge but from the combined insight of our entire team. 

Our collaborative approach means that multiple experienced defense attorneys, some of whom previously served as prosecutors in Orange County, review your case together and develop a detailed plan built around your specific facts.

Our attorneys have earned recognition from respected legal organizations. You will find Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell “AV Rated” practitioners at our firm, and you will discover a history of leadership in the Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association, as well as trial lawyers whose cases have been featured on national media.

We dedicate our firm solely to criminal defense. This focus allows us to refine our skills, study the latest developments in DUI law, and keep up with evolving tactics used by law enforcement and local prosecutors. When you choose Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, you get a team that lives and breathes defense work, twenty-four hours a day.

Contact Our Huntington Beach Drunk Driving Lawyers Anytime

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Huntington Beach, do not wait to get the help you deserve. Speaking with an experienced defense attorney right away can help protect your rights, preserve evidence, and give you peace of mind. Our team provides confidential, pressure-free consultations at no cost, and you can reach us whenever you need to—day or night.

Call (949) 251-0330 or fill out this online form to schedule your free consultation with a Huntington Beach drunk driving attorney today.