DUFFY LAW, A Professional Corporation
DUI charges are among the most common criminal cases in Orange County. If you’re facing DUI, having an experienced attorney on your side can make a big difference. A skilled DUI defense lawyer can represent you at most court hearings, identify important legal issues in your case, and handle your APS hearing with the California DMV. We’re here to fight for you, protect your rights.
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Facing a DUI in Orange County can feel like your life has hit a standstill. Between the flashing lights and the confusing paperwork, the stakes are incredibly high. At Duffy Law, PC, led by veteran attorney William J. Duffy, we provide aggressive, strategic defense for those facing driving under the influence charges in Irvine, Newport Beach, and the surrounding areas. With 20+ years of local experience, we don’t just handle cases—we fight for your future.
California’s DUI landscape has changed significantly as of January 1, 2026. These updates affect everything from how long you are on probation to mandatory equipment in your vehicle:
You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the California DMV. If you miss this window, your license will be automatically suspended. As your Irvine DMV hearing attorney, William J. Duffy will fight to “stay” your suspension, allowing you to keep driving while we build your defense.
While the DMV focuses on your license, the court focuses on your freedom. We navigate every stage of the process, from your arraignment at the Harbor Justice Center to pretrial motions and, if necessary, a full jury trial.
We don’t accept the prosecution’s evidence at face value. Our firm utilizes advanced legal and scientific strategies to challenge the government’s case:
After you have been arrested for DUI in Orange County under VC 23152 or 23153, your license and your freedom are both immediately on the line, which is why contacting an Irvine DUI lawyer as soon as possible is critical. As an experienced Orange County DUI attorney, I walk you through each charge, protect your rights at your first court date (arraignment), and at once start looking for weaknesses in the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, and the breath or blood results. At the same time, you face a separate DMV action that can suspend your license even while your court case is pending, so I promptly request the DMV hearing for you, appear on your behalf, and fight to keep you driving while your DUI case moves through the Orange County courts.
You must act within 10 calendar days of your arrest to request an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing with the California DMV. If you miss this window, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended, regardless of your court outcome. At Duffy Law, PC, we handle this request for our clients immediately to secure a "stay" on the suspension, allowing you to keep driving while we fight your case.
Three major updates took effect on January 1, 2026:
AB 1087: Mandatory probation for serious DUIs (involving injury or manslaughter) is now 3 to 5 years.
AB 366: The Ignition Interlock Device (IID) requirement has been extended through 2033. Most offenders will now need an in-car breathalyzer for at least 12 months.
AB 321: Judges now have the authority to reduce "wobbler" felony DUIs to misdemeanors at any point before the trial begins, providing more opportunities for a favorable resolution.
In most misdemeanor DUI cases in Orange County, your attorney can appear on your behalf under Penal Code 977. This means you likely won't have to miss work or step foot in a courtroom at the Harbor or Central Justice Centers unless your case goes to trial. For felony charges, your presence is generally required, though we work to minimize the number of appearances needed.
It depends on your BAC levels and prior record.
First Offense: Typically a 4-month administrative suspension. However, you can often immediately apply for an IID-restricted license that allows you to drive anywhere.
Refusals: If you refused a chemical test, you face a one-year suspension with no possibility of a restricted license.
Under 21: California’s "Zero Tolerance" policy carries a mandatory one-year suspension for a BAC of 0.01% or higher.
Yes. Breathalyzers are machines, and machines fail or are improperly calibrated. We analyze the calibration logs, the officer’s training records, and whether the "15-minute observation period" was strictly followed. We also frequently use the "Rising Blood Alcohol" defense, proving your BAC was below the legal limit while you were driving, even if it was higher by the time you reached the station.
Every case is unique based on the complexity and charges. At Duffy Law, PC, we provide a free initial consultation to review your police report and explain your options. We offer transparent, flat-fee structures so you know exactly what to expect without hidden hourly charges.
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