DUI Defense at Airport Courthouse (Los Angeles)

If you were arrested for DUI in an area served by Airport Courthouse, you face two separate proceedings on parallel tracks: a criminal case in court and an administrative case at the DMV. Both have their own rules, their own deadlines, and their own consequences. This page covers what to expect when your DUI case is routed to Airport Courthouse, and what to do in the first 10 days to protect both proceedings.

Airport Courthouse: location and coverage

Address: 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Approximate coverage: LAX area, Westchester, Marina del Rey, Venice, Mar Vista, parts of West LA, and adjacent communities; many DUI arrests from the 405, La Cienega, and Sepulveda corridors. Airport is a busy criminal courthouse handling LAX-area DUI cases and Westside misdemeanor matters.

The arraignment notice issued at booking or release will list the specific date and time for your first court appearance. Routing of specific DUI cases can vary by the arresting agency (LAPD, Sheriff’s Department, CHP) and the location of the stop. Always confirm the courthouse and department listed on your own paperwork.

The criminal case: what happens at Airport Courthouse

A California DUI is typically charged under Vehicle Code section 23152(a) (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs) and Vehicle Code section 23152(b) (driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher). The two charges cover different theories and the prosecution typically charges both.

The first court appearance is the arraignment, where you enter a plea (usually not guilty) and the court sets the next dates. Pretrial conferences follow, where the defense and prosecution exchange information, work on motions, and discuss potential resolutions. If the case does not resolve at the pretrial stage, the case proceeds to a jury trial. Most DUI cases resolve before trial.

Common pretrial motions in a DUI case include suppression of the stop under Penal Code section 1538.5 (challenging whether the officer had reasonable suspicion or probable cause), suppression of the chemical test (challenging instrument calibration, Title 17 compliance, blood draw chain of custody), and motions to dismiss for insufficient evidence.

The DMV case: the 10-day deadline

Independent of the court case, the DMV initiates an Administrative Per Se (APS) action against your driving privilege based on the chemical test result or refusal at the time of the arrest. You have only 10 calendar days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing. Missing the 10-day window means automatic license suspension on day 30, with no opportunity to challenge.

The DMV hearing is held by telephone or in person before a DMV hearing officer (not a judge). The evidence rules are looser than in criminal court, but the standard of proof is also lower (preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt). The hearing officer makes findings on four issues: (1) was there reasonable cause to believe the driver was driving under the influence; (2) was the driver lawfully arrested; (3) was the driver driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more (for chemical test cases) or did the driver refuse the chemical test (for refusal cases); (4) was the driver advised of the consequences of refusal where applicable.

A win at the DMV hearing means no APS suspension. The criminal case continues independently. A loss at the DMV hearing means the APS suspension takes effect; the criminal case still continues independently and can produce different outcomes.

First-DUI sentencing exposure

A first-offense California DUI (VC 23152) carries a maximum sentence of six months in county jail, fines and assessments totaling roughly $1,800 to $2,500, mandatory DUI school (typically 3, 6, or 9 months depending on BAC), 6-month license suspension under VC 13352 (with restricted license eligibility after specific conditions), and up to 3 years of probation. Aggravating factors (high BAC, refusal, prior convictions, child passenger, injury) increase exposure significantly.

Common Airport Courthouse DUI defense angles

Defenses generally fall into three categories: stop-and-detention challenges, chemical test challenges, and statutory or procedural challenges.

Stop and detention. Was the initial traffic stop supported by reasonable suspicion? Was the DUI investigation supported by probable cause? Pretextual stops, incorrect VC citations, and unsupported expansion of the stop are all fertile ground.

Chemical test. Was the breath machine calibrated and maintained per Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations? Was the blood draw performed by a qualified person and properly stored? Was there contamination, mouth alcohol, or rising-BAC issues? Each line of attack requires specific records and often expert witnesses.

Statutory and procedural. Was the chemical test admonition properly given? Was the driver advised of the right to choose breath or blood (and the implications of refusing)? Did the officer comply with the 15-minute deprivation period before the breath test?

What to do right now

Three things matter most in the 72 hours after a DUI arrest. Request the DMV hearing in writing within 10 calendar days of the arrest date. Preserve every piece of paperwork from the booking and release process, including the chemical test results, the citation, and the temporary license issued by the officer. Contact a DUI defense attorney before the arraignment date listed on your paperwork.

Related pages

• Los Angeles County DUI Defense
• Criminal Defense FAQ
• Pre-Filing Intervention
• Expungement and Record Sealing

The Law Office of Zak Fisher is a Los Angeles criminal defense practice. This page is general legal information about DUI defense at Airport Courthouse, not legal advice for any specific matter. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. No attorney-client relationship is formed without a signed engagement letter. Attorney Advertising. Zak Fisher, Esq., California Bar No. 332712.