Riverside DUI Lawyer - Seyb Law Group

DUI Lawyer Riverside, CA

If you are facing a DUI charge in Riverside, experienced legal representation can protect both your driving privileges and your future. A DUI arrest in California triggers two separate proceedings at once: a criminal case and an administrative action through the DMV. You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a DMV hearing, or your license suspension takes effect automatically.

Seyb Law Group has defended DUI cases across California for over 13 years. Our Riverside, CA DUI lawyer will evaluate the circumstances of your arrest, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, and pursue the strongest possible outcome for your case. We offer free consultations for all DUI matters.

Why Choose Seyb Law Group for DUI Defense in Riverside, CA?

Experienced DUI Defense in Riverside County

Founder Spencer Seyb started Seyb Law Group because he believes every criminal defendant deserves strong representation. He graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree and earned his Juris Doctorate from Trinity Law School in Santa Ana. His main goal on every case is to push for all charges to be dismissed or reduced, and he is persistent about pursuing the best overall outcome for each client.

Our firm has handled hundreds of DMV hearings for clients facing license suspension after a DUI arrest, and we have developed relationships in courthouses across Riverside County and throughout Southern California. As a criminal defense lawyer in Riverside, CA, our firm understands how the local courts operate, which prosecutors handle DUI dockets, and what defense strategies produce the best results in Riverside County Superior Court.

Proven DUI Case Results

Seyb Law Group has helped clients achieve favorable outcomes in DUI cases at every level. We have secured charges dismissed in a second DUI case involving a high BAC of .18, obtained a dismissal with probation in a first DUI with injury case, and negotiated a probation-only resolution in a DUI combined with hit and run charges.

Every case is different. But the pattern across our results is consistent: thorough preparation, aggressive negotiation, and a willingness to go to trial when that’s what the case requires.

Free Consultations and Payment Plans

We offer free consultations for every DUI case. That initial conversation is not a sales pitch. It is a candid assessment of what you’re facing, what defenses may apply, and what your realistic options are. We also offer payment plans so that the cost of quality representation does not prevent you from fighting your charge.

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“I honestly can’t recommend Spencer enough! He helped me navigate a DUI case, and somehow made the entire process feel unbelievably smooth—especially considering how stressful the situation was. From beginning to end, Spencer kept me fully informed and made sure I was clear on every step.” — Anton Guerrero

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of DUI Cases We Handle in Riverside

Driving under the influence is not a single charge. California law creates several distinct DUI offenses, and the facts of your arrest determine which ones the prosecutor files. We handle all of them.

First DUI offense. A first-time DUI is a misdemeanor in California. Penalties can include up to six months in county jail, fines between $390 and $1,000, a four-month license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education classes. We work to minimize or eliminate these consequences.
Second DUI offense. A second DUI within 10 years carries increased penalties: mandatory jail time, a two-year license revocation, and longer DUI education programs. The stakes go up substantially, and so does the importance of having a DUI attorney in Riverside who knows how to negotiate with local prosecutors.
Felony DUI. A fourth DUI within 10 years, or any DUI where someone is injured, can be charged as a felony in California. A felony conviction carries state prison time and long-term consequences for employment and housing.
DUI with injury. When someone is hurt in a DUI-related crash, the charge shifts from Vehicle Code 23152 to Vehicle Code 23153. This is a wobbler offense that can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, and the penalties are significantly harsher than a standard DUI.
DUI involving drugs. California Vehicle Code 23152(f) makes it illegal to drive under the influence of any drug, including prescription medications. These cases often hinge on blood test results and the testimony of drug recognition officers, both of which can be challenged.
Third DUI offense. A third DUI conviction within 10 years carries mandatory jail time of at least 120 days, a three-year license revocation, and designation as a habitual traffic offender. The court has far less flexibility at this stage, which makes the defense strategy critical. Understanding the difference between California DUI laws at each level is essential to building the right approach.

California Legal Requirements for DUI Cases

California prosecutes DUI under Vehicle Code 23152, which contains several subsections. The two most common charges involve driving under the influence of alcohol under section 23152(a), which does not require a specific BAC level, and driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher under section 23152(b). A prosecutor can file both charges from the same arrest. The distinction between these two subsections matters because each requires different proof, and California law allows separate defense strategies for each count.

The state also enforces an implied consent law under Vehicle Code 23612. By driving on California roads, you are deemed to have consented to chemical testing of your blood or breath if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing that test triggers a mandatory one-year license suspension through the California DMV, separate from any criminal penalties.

There is also a 10-day deadline that catches many people off guard. After a DUI arrest, the officer will confiscate your license and hand you a temporary one. You have 10 days to request a DMV administrative hearing to challenge the suspension. Miss that window, and your suspension goes into effect automatically after 30 days. This administrative process is entirely separate from the criminal case heard in Riverside County Superior Court.

According to NHTSA data, 1,355 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes in California in 2023 alone. Because of statistics like these, Riverside County prosecutors take DUI cases seriously and often push for maximum penalties. Having a DUI attorney who knows how to counter that approach matters.

Important Aspects of a Riverside DUI Case

Challenging the Traffic Stop

Every DUI case begins with a traffic stop, and every traffic stop requires reasonable suspicion. If the officer pulled you over without observing an actual traffic violation or erratic driving, the entire case could be vulnerable to a suppression motion. We review dashcam footage, body camera recordings, and police reports to determine whether the stop was legally justified. Understanding your legal rights and options from the moment of the stop can shape the entire defense.

Field Sobriety Test Accuracy

Standardized field sobriety tests are not scientific instruments. The walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus tests are subjective evaluations conducted under stressful conditions, often on uneven surfaces, in poor lighting, or while the driver is nervous. Medical conditions, fatigue, footwear, and age can all affect performance. Officers sometimes fail to administer them correctly, which compromises the results.

Chemical Test Defenses

Blood and breath tests are only as reliable as the procedures used to collect and analyze them. Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations sets strict requirements for how these tests must be administered. If the breathalyzer was not properly calibrated, if the observation period before testing was too short, or if your blood sample was improperly stored, those results may be challenged. We work with forensic toxicologists when the evidence warrants it.

The DMV Hearing

The administrative hearing with the DMV is separate from your criminal case, but losing it means losing your license. We handle these hearings and challenge the evidence the DMV relies on, which is typically the officer’s sworn statement, the chemical test results, and documentation of the arrest. A win at the DMV hearing does not affect the criminal case, but it does protect your ability to drive while that case is pending.

Potential Consequences and Sentencing

A first-offense DUI conviction in Riverside can result in 96 hours to six months in county jail, fines and fees that often exceed $2,000 when penalty assessments are added, a four-month license suspension, mandatory DUI school, and informal probation for three to five years. The differences between summary and formal probation affect what restrictions you will live under and how a violation is handled. Second and third offenses escalate sharply. A felony DUI can mean time in state prison. An expungement may be possible after completing probation, but preventing a conviction in the first place is always the stronger outcome.

Prior DUI Convictions

California looks back 10 years when counting prior DUI offenses. A conviction from eight years ago still counts as a prior and will increase the mandatory minimums for any new charge. Many clients ask how long a DUI stays on record, and the answer depends on whether you are asking about your criminal record or your DMV record. We review your full history to determine whether any prior convictions may be subject to challenge or whether you may qualify for reduced charges.

Contact Seyb Law Group

If you are facing a DUI charge in Riverside, CA, you do not have to navigate this alone. Our attorneys have handled DUI cases at every level, from first offenses to felony charges, and we are prepared to build a defense specific to your situation. The consultation is free, and the initial call can make a real difference in how your case develops.