Los Angeles, California · Updated October 2026
Top 3 DUI Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles (2026)
Three Los Angeles DUI defense firms compared on Google ratings, DUI focus, office location and what clients say.
- ✓DMV hearings
- ✓First and second offense DUI
- ✓Felony DUI
- ✓Breath and blood test challenges
At a glance
Los Angeles DUI defense firms compared
| Firm | Google rating | Reviews | First consultation | DMV hearings | Felony DUI | Office | Also published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kosnett Law Firm | ★★★★ 4.0 | 39 | Free case evaluation | ✓ | ✓ | West LA (main); satellites in Long Beach, Irvine and elsewhere | Expungement, Title IX and academic matters |
| 2Hart J. Levin | ★★★★★ 5.0 | 225 | Free case review | ✓ | ✓ | Downtown LA; Santa Monica | Payment plans, Spanish, DUI expungement |
| 3Simmrin Law Group | ★★★★★ 5.0 | 89 | Free case evaluation | ✓ | ✓ | Burbank | Mental health hold hearings |
“Call to ask” means the firm does not publish this on its website. Hours shown on Google for all three firms are 24 hours; that usually means phones are answered around the clock, not that the office is staffed.
Ratings and review counts from Google, checked October 25, 2026. Hours can change on holidays; call to confirm.
The list
Top 3 DUI defense lawyers in Los Angeles
Kosnett Law Firm
DUI matters handled
- First offense DUI
- Second offense DUI
- Felony DUI
- DMV administrative hearings
- Driving on a suspended license
- Expungement and early probation termination
Kosnett Law Firm is a Los Angeles criminal defense firm led by attorneys James V. Kosnett and Louis V. Kosnett, with its main office on West Olympic Boulevard in West LA. Its team includes an experienced DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles who starts every case by reviewing why the driver was pulled over, whether the arrest respected the driver’s constitutional rights, and how field sobriety, breath and blood tests were run. The firm handles both halves of a California DUI: the criminal case in LA Superior Court and the separate DMV hearing over the driver’s license. It publishes free initial case evaluations and affordable rates, and its practice also covers felony DUI, second offenses, suspended-license charges and record clearing once a case is over.
What clients praise
- Reviewers say Louis negotiated an outcome better than they thought possible and understood their situation in minutes
- Moves fast on tight deadlines; one client says the firm took their case with only two or three days to spare
- Out-of-state clients say their matter was handled professionally without ever meeting in person
Worth knowing
- Its Google rating (4.0) is the lowest of the three; two recent reviewers describe a rushed, condescending first consultation, one with a callback hours late
- Few of its Google reviews describe DUI cases specifically, so ask about recent DUI and DMV hearing experience on the first call
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: A West LA criminal defense firm with a dedicated DUI and DMV hearing practice plus felony DUI and record-clearing work under one roof.
📍 11400 W Olympic Blvd #200, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Law Offices of Hart J. Levin
- First and second time DUI
- Felony DUI
- DUI with bodily injury
- DMV hearings
- Underage DUI
- Prescription drug DUI
- DUI expungement
The Law Offices of Hart J. Levin is led by Hart Levin, a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, and describes its team as focused on DUI defense. The firm has a downtown office on South Grand Avenue and a second office in Santa Monica. Its site says it requests the DMV hearing and discovery right after it is hired, that attorneys often appear in court for clients on misdemeanor cases, and that it offers free case reviews, no-interest payment plans and service in Spanish. It lists Super Lawyers recognition for 2023 to 2026.
What clients praise
- Clients say the firm called back right away after the arrest and laid out a plan
- Busy professionals value that the team appeared in court on their behalf several times
- Reviewers describe honest expectations and regular updates, and some name their assigned associate attorney
Worth knowing
- A reviewer at its Santa Monica office felt communication was minimal and the result no better than a public defender would have achieved
- Some cases are handled day to day by associates, so ask who will appear in court for you
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: The most-reviewed firm on the list, with a DUI-only focus and a founder who prosecuted cases for the LA District Attorney.
📍 355 S Grand Ave Ste 2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Simmrin Law Group
- Misdemeanor DUI
- Felony DUI
- DUI causing injury
- Juvenile DUI
- DMV hearings
- BAC test refusals
Simmrin Law Group is a criminal defense firm led by attorney Michael Simmrin, working from an office on West Olive Avenue in Burbank and serving Los Angeles County. The firm publishes more than two decades of experience and says it handles court filings, DMV hearings and negotiations with the LA County District Attorney’s Office. Its DUI defense work focuses on challenging breath and blood alcohol readings, field sobriety tests and the reason for the stop, and it covers misdemeanor, felony, injury and juvenile DUI cases with a free consultation.
What clients praise
- DUI clients say Michael was confident and reassuring and got an outcome beyond what they expected
- Reviewers repeatedly praise paralegal Karen for being responsive and patient with questions
- Families credit the firm with fast, effective work on mental health hold hearings
Worth knowing
- The only office is in Burbank, so downtown and Westside clients may travel farther for in-person meetings
- Many recent Google reviews describe 5250 mental health holds rather than DUI cases
- Mon–Sun Open 24 hours
Why it made the list: A perfect 5.0 Google rating and a convenient base for drivers arrested in the Valley, Burbank or Glendale area.
📍 3500 W Olive Ave Unit 314, Burbank, CA 91505
Free tool
Which Los Angeles DUI firm fits your case?
Tick what you need. We match it against each firm’s published DUI services, languages, payment options and office locations.
Guide
How a DUI case works in Los Angeles
Two separate cases
A California DUI arrest starts a criminal case in Los Angeles Superior Court and a separate DMV case over your driver’s license. Winning or losing one does not decide the other.
DMV hearing deadline
You have 10 days from receiving the suspension order to request a DMV hearing. Miss it and the suspension takes effect automatically.
Legal BAC limits
The limit is 0.08% for most adult drivers, 0.04% in a commercial vehicle and 0.01% for drivers under 21. You can still be charged below the limit if an officer believes you were impaired.
First-offense suspension
For a first offense with a BAC of 0.08% or more, the DMV suspension is 4 months. A first refusal of a chemical test brings a 1-year suspension.
Restricted license options
Many drivers can keep driving during a suspension by installing an ignition interlock device and getting a restricted license. Eligibility depends on priors and the type of suspension.
Prior-offense lookback
California counts prior DUIs within 10 years. A second or third offense inside that window carries longer DUI programs, mandatory jail and longer license actions.
Before your first meeting
What to bring to a DUI consultation
0 of 8 ready
Methodology
How we chose these firms
We looked for Los Angeles firms that publish a dedicated DUI defense practice, handle DMV hearings as well as court cases, and hold strong Google ratings with a meaningful number of reviews. We read each firm’s own DUI page and a sample of its recent Google reviews, and we list one fair limitation for every firm.
Firms are listed in the order shown. We are not affiliated with Hart J. Levin or Simmrin Law Group. Both hold higher Google ratings than Kosnett Law Firm, and we show every rating as published.
Ratings, review counts and hours were checked on October 25, 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to request a DMV hearing after a DUI arrest in Los Angeles?
You have 10 days from receiving the Order of Suspension to request a DMV hearing. If you do not request one in time, the license suspension takes effect automatically. Many DUI lawyers request the hearing for you as soon as they are hired.
Can I still drive after a DUI arrest?
Usually yes, for a short time. The pink notice the officer gives you generally works as a temporary license for 30 days. Requesting a DMV hearing on time can keep you driving while the hearing is pending.
What are the penalties for a first DUI in California?
A first misdemeanor DUI can bring up to 6 months in county jail, a base fine of $390 to $1,000 plus large court assessments, 3 to 5 years of informal probation and a DUI education program of at least 3 months, which is longer for higher BAC levels. The DMV case adds a separate license suspension. Many first-offense cases resolve without jail, but results depend on the facts and the court.
What happens if I refused a breath or blood test?
Refusing a post-arrest chemical test leads to a 1-year DMV suspension on a first offense, longer for repeat refusals, and it can be used against you in court. A lawyer can check whether the officer gave the required warnings.
Do I have to go to court for a DUI in Los Angeles?
In many misdemeanor DUI cases, your lawyer can appear in court for you for most hearings. Felony cases and some hearings require you to be there. Ask your lawyer which dates you must attend.
Can a DUI be removed from my record?
Many people can ask the court to dismiss a DUI conviction once probation and all court terms are complete. A dismissal helps with most job applications, but the DUI still counts as a prior for 10 years if you are arrested again.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Los Angeles?
Fees vary with the charge, whether you have priors, whether there is a DMV hearing and whether the case goes to trial. All three firms on this list offer a free first consultation, so ask for a written fee quote and what it covers before you hire.
Which courthouse will my DUI case be in?
LA County DUI cases are filed in the Superior Court courthouse that covers the area where you were arrested. Your citation or notice to appear lists the courthouse and date.
Local guide
Los Angeles DUI court local guide
Which LA County courthouses sit closest to each firm. Your case is heard at the courthouse listed on your citation, which depends on where you were arrested.
What is near each firm
Kosnett Law Firm
West Los Angeles
NEAREST CRIMINAL COURTHOUSES
- Santa Monica Courthouse
1725 Main St, Santa Monica3.2 mi - Beverly Hills Courthouse
9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills3.6 mi
Hart J. Levin
Downtown LA
NEAREST CRIMINAL COURTHOUSES
- Metropolitan Courthouse
1945 S Hill St, Los Angeles1.7 mi - Beverly Hills Courthouse
9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills8.4 mi
Simmrin Law Group
Burbank (Media District)
NEAREST CRIMINAL COURTHOUSES
- Burbank Courthouse
300 E Olive Ave, Burbank2.7 mi - Beverly Hills Courthouse
9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills6.5 mi
Distances are straight-line estimates from each firm’s office.
LA County courthouses near these firms
Tips after a Los Angeles DUI arrest
- Mark the 10-day DMV deadline. It runs separately from your court date and is the easiest deadline to miss.
- Write everything down now. Times, drinks, food, the stop and the tests fade from memory quickly.
- Do not discuss the case online. Posts and messages can be used by the prosecution.
- Keep your paperwork together. The pink notice, citation and release papers are what a lawyer needs first.
- Ask who will handle your case. Find out which attorney will appear in court and how often you will get updates.
This page is general information, not legal advice. We are not affiliated with Hart J. Levin or Simmrin Law Group. Ratings, reviews and hours were checked on October 25, 2026, and may change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.