Dui Lawyer
Simmrin Law Group
Among the criminal matters handled by Simmrin Law Group, DUI defense is one of the firm's most active areas, reflecting how seriously California courts treat driving under the influence. Operating from 3500 W Olive Ave, Unit 314 in Burbank, the firm led by attorney Michael "Mike" Simmrin represents people accused of first, second, and third DUI offenses, guiding them from arrest through resolution across Los Angeles County. This page profiles that single facet of the firm's broader criminal defense practice.
How DUI Work Fits Into Simmrin Law Group's Practice
Simmrin Law Group is a criminal defense firm whose practice areas range from drug crimes and theft crimes to violent offenses, federal charges, and mental health law. DUI cases sit squarely within that spectrum, sharing the same core concern the firm brings to every matter: protecting a client's rights, reputation, and future. A DUI conviction in California can cost a driver their license, bring escalating fines, and lead to jail time, so the firm treats these accusations with the same urgency it applies to felony charges. Michael Simmrin's team addresses first, second, and third offenses, and works to keep charges from escalating from misdemeanor to felony territory when a client has prior convictions.
What a DUI Charge Involves in Plain Language
California defines driving under the influence as operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs — including cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, or even prescription medications. Drivers over 21 are considered legally impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher, though commercial drivers and drivers under 21 face lower thresholds. After a traffic stop, an officer may request a field sobriety test, and in some situations a driver has the right to refuse a blood, breath, or field test. That right disappears for anyone under 21, on DUI probation, or already under arrest, and refusing a required chemical test can add its own penalties on top of the underlying charge. Simmrin Law Group helps clients understand which rules apply to their situation and what the evidence in their case actually shows.
Penalties the Firm Works to Reduce
Because California is designed to punish repeat offenses more harshly each time, understanding the stakes early matters. The table below summarizes the consequences the firm helps clients contest, drawn from how these offenses are charged.
| Offense Level | Possible License Impact | Possible Incarceration |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | Suspension up to six months or restricted permit | Up to three years of summary probation |
| Second offense | Suspension up to two years | Around 90 days |
| Third offense | Suspension up to three years | 120 days to one year |
Fines for each offense level fall within the same statutory range, and courts also commonly require completion of an alcohol treatment program. Where possible, the firm negotiates with prosecutors to have serious charges reduced to lesser ones.
What to Expect When Simmrin Law Group Takes a DUI Case
The firm describes an approach that treats clients like family, stepping in from the first contact and staying engaged through negotiation and, when necessary, trial. A typical progression looks like this:
- An initial confidential consultation, offered free and with no obligation, to review the arrest and the charges.
- A close look at the traffic stop, testing procedures, and whether the driver's rights were observed.
- Explanation of the specific penalties a client faces given any prior offenses and the details of the case.
- Development of a defense strategy tailored to the facts rather than a one-size-fits-all template.
- Advocacy in negotiations with prosecutors aimed at minimizing or reducing penalties.
- Representation in court, backed by a legal team the firm notes has handled more than 100 jury trials.
Serving Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles Region
The firm's Burbank office places it near Warner Bros. Studios and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, within reach of the communities and landmarks that shape everyday driving across the area. Beyond Burbank itself, Simmrin Law Group serves drivers throughout neighborhoods and cities including Toluca Woods, Magnolia Park, Studio City, North Hollywood and the NoHo Arts District, Glendale, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, Sun Valley, Shadow Hills, Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, and the broader Los Angeles metro. Many of these routes run past well-known destinations such as Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Bowl, Universal Studios Hollywood, the Los Angeles Zoo, The Americana at Brand, the Glendale Galleria, and The Grove — the kinds of high-traffic corridors where DUI stops frequently occur.
What Distinguishes the Firm's Approach
Several qualities set the firm's DUI work apart within the facts on record. It maintains around-the-clock phone availability, so a driver arrested at any hour can reach a defense attorney. Consultations are free and confidential, and the firm handles the full range of DUI offense levels alongside related driving matters. Because Simmrin Law Group also practices in areas like mental health law — addressing 5150 and 5250 holds and related hearings — it can recognize when a client's circumstances intersect with those issues. Above all, the firm emphasizes personal attention over volume, aiming to give each client clarity about their options and a strategy built around the specifics of their case.
Getting here
From Universal Studios Hollywood
From Universal Studios Hollywood, the trip to Simmrin Law Group covers about 2.7 miles and takes around 10 minutes. Head out on Universal Studios Blvd toward Barham Blvd, then follow W Olive Ave to S Cordova St to reach the office.
Common questions
What is the average cost of a DUI attorney in California?
DUI attorney fees in California vary widely depending on whether the case is a first offense or a repeat charge, how complex the evidence is, and whether it goes to trial. Rather than quoting a flat figure, Simmrin Law Group, based at 3500 W Olive Ave in Burbank, offers free, no-obligation consultations where prospective clients can discuss the specifics of their situation before committing to anything.
Is it worth getting a DUI lawyer in California?
For most people facing a DUI in California, a lawyer is worthwhile because the penalties—license suspension, fines, and possible jail—are significant and the procedures are complex. Simmrin Law Group handles first, second, and third DUI offenses throughout the greater Los Angeles region, guiding clients from arrest through resolution and working to protect their rights, reputation, and future within the Southern California court system.
What is the 3-hour rule for DUI in California?
California law generally presumes that a blood-alcohol test taken within three hours of driving reflects your BAC at the time you were behind the wheel. This timing rule can be central to how a case is challenged. Firms like Simmrin Law Group, a Burbank criminal defense practice serving Warner Bros. Studios and surrounding communities, examine testing procedures and timelines closely when building a DUI defense.
Is it worth fighting a DUI charge in Burbank, CA 91505?
Whether fighting a DUI is worthwhile depends on the evidence, testing accuracy, and the circumstances of the stop—many cases have weaknesses worth challenging. Simmrin Law Group, operating from Burbank in Los Angeles County, represents clients facing DUI and other charges from arrest through resolution, reviewing each case individually. The firm offers free consultations so people can understand their options before deciding how to proceed.
How much does a California DUI lawyer cost?
California DUI lawyer costs depend on offense level, case complexity, and whether the matter is resolved by plea or trial, so there is no single price. Simmrin Law Group in Burbank provides free, no-obligation consultations and maintains around-the-clock phone availability, giving people facing DUI charges across Los Angeles a chance to discuss their case details before any financial commitment.
Can you beat a DUI case without a lawyer in CA 91505?
Representing yourself in a DUI case is legally possible but risky, since prosecutors know the procedures and evidentiary rules that self-represented defendants often miss. A defense attorney can identify issues with testing, stops, or timelines. Simmrin Law Group, led by attorney Michael "Mike" Simmrin in Burbank, handles DUI matters throughout Southern California and offers free consultations to help people weigh their choices.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in CA 91505?
Criminal defense lawyer costs in California range depending on whether the charge is an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony, and whether the matter is state or federal. Simmrin Law Group, based in Burbank and serving Los Angeles County communities from Glendale to Studio City, handles the full spectrum of criminal matters and offers free, no-obligation consultations so prospective clients can discuss their case first.