Our client was arrested. We got the case dismissed. We were able to get the court to grant the motion to seal her arrest records.
CLICK HERE to see the petition we filed on behalf of Erika.
Our client was a .14. We were able to successfully persuade the prosecutor to amend the charges to allow our client to plead guilty to a wet reckless in violation of CVC 23103/23103.5.
CLICK HERE for the results.
Our client, Mr. Kim, was accused of domestic violence charges which would affect his professional career and licensing. We were able to successfully reduce the charges to a charge of
disturbing the peace. This was an employment-safe plea for his career.
At KIA LAW FIRM we strive for excellence.
CLICK HERE to see the minutes
Getting arrested for DUI in Riverside triggers two separate legal battles, one in Riverside County criminal court, one at the DMV, running at the same time.
Most people don’t know this until they’ve already lost one of them. If you were stopped last night or last weekend, the decisions you make right now, before your first court date, will shape everything that follows.
A DUI lawyer in Riverside understands how both tracks work and how to fight on both simultaneously.
Most people walk out of Riverside County detention thinking they have one problem. They have two.
Your DUI arrest immediately triggers a criminal case filed by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office AND an administrative action by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The criminal case determines whether you face fines, jail time, and a conviction on your record. The DMV action determines whether you keep your driver’s license. These are separate proceedings with separate deadlines, separate hearings, and separate outcomes.
Here is the part that blindsides most people: you have exactly 10 days from your arrest to request a DMV hearing. Miss that window and your license suspension becomes automatic before your criminal case even gets to court.
When a Riverside officer arrests you for DUI and takes your physical license, they issue a temporary pink slip valid for 30 days. What most people don’t know is that the clock on your hearing request starts running from the date of arrest, not from when that pink slip expires.
The DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing is not a criminal proceeding. A DMV hearing officer, not a judge, reviews three narrow questions:
That third question is critical, and it’s where a skilled DUI lawyer in Riverside can make a real difference. California law requires the prosecution to prove your BAC was 0.08% or more at the time of driving, not at the time the test was administered. Those two moments are not the same thing, and the gap between them can be the entire defense.
If no hearing is requested within 10 days, your license is automatically suspended on day 31. For a first offense, that suspension runs for four months. For a second offense or a test refusal, it goes significantly longer. In Southern California, where public transportation is minimal, losing your license is not a minor inconvenience. It is a direct hit to your income, your job security, and your daily life.
Call a DUI lawyer in Riverside the day of your arrest. The hearing request alone can pause your suspension while the case is reviewed.
Understanding how a Riverside DUI case is constructed tells you exactly where it can be dismantled.
The arresting officer will almost always testify that your driving pattern was “consistent with someone under the influence.” Weaving within a lane. An abrupt lane change. Speeding. This testimony is largely boilerplate, and it is far weaker than prosecutors make it sound.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading authority on DUI enforcement standards, has specifically noted that speeding is not a recognized characteristic of drunk driving. The majority of traffic offenses on any given night are committed by completely sober drivers. An experienced defense attorney demonstrates every way you drove properly and safely and challenges the officer’s characterizations directly.
Many law enforcement agencies in Riverside County use a pre-printed DUI arrest form. Officers check boxes indicating you displayed red and watery eyes, slurred speech, an odor of alcoholic beverages, and other supposed signs of intoxication, often without any further elaboration in the report.
Each of these can be challenged on its own terms. Contacts cause red eyes. Fatigue causes red eyes. Natural variation causes red eyes. And here is something most people do not know: actual alcohol has no odor. What an officer smells is the non-alcoholic components of a beverage, the same smell that non-alcoholic beer produces. A knowledgeable defense attorney raises this in court. It matters.
| FST Issue | Why It Weakens the Evidence |
| Voluntary, but rarely disclosed as such | Officers are not required to tell you that FSTs are optional in California |
| Subjective scoring | The officer decides whether you passed; there is no objective measurement |
| Environmental factors | Uneven pavement, poor lighting, wind, and footwear all affect performance |
| Physical conditions | Height, coordination, nervousness, and age all influence balance |
| The 15-minute observation rule | Officers must observe you continuously for 15 minutes before administering a breath test. Violations can invalidate results |
Swaying during a one-leg stand test is not proof of impairment. Sober people sway. A defendant over six feet tall standing heel-to-heel while receiving instructions will struggle; that is physics, not intoxication. Defense attorneys routinely elicit this testimony to dismantle FST conclusions.
Your BAC may have been below 0.08% when you were actually behind the wheel. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream over time. If you were stopped shortly after your last drink, your BAC could still have been rising when the test was administered. This rising blood alcohol defense directly challenges the prosecution’s core claim. It is one of the most technically effective arguments available in California DUI cases.
Once the DA files charges, your case moves through the Riverside Hall of Justice in a predictable sequence. Here is what to realistically expect.
Your charges are read. You enter a plea. In almost every case, the right move is to plead not guilty at this stage, regardless of the circumstances. This preserves every defense option and gives your attorney time to review the full evidence before any decisions are made.
This is where a DUI lawyer in Riverside earns the most critical ground. Motions to suppress evidence challenge the legality of the stop, the search, and the testing procedures. If the initial traffic stop lacked legal justification, every piece of evidence gathered afterward, the breath test, the FST results, the officer’s observations, may be thrown out entirely.
California Vehicle Code Section 23152 is what you’re charged under. But the Fourth Amendment is what protects you from evidence obtained through an unlawful stop. Both apply to your case.
Most DUI cases in Riverside County resolve through negotiated plea agreements. A skilled defense attorney uses every weakness in the prosecution’s case, such as suppressed evidence, procedural violations, and unreliable test results, to negotiate a reduction to a lesser charge such as “wet reckless” (reckless driving involving alcohol), which carries significantly lower penalties and may not count as a DUI prior.
If the prosecution’s case does not hold up, the case goes to trial. A DUI lawyer in Riverside who knows the local courts, the DA’s office, and the judges at the Hall of Justice brings a specific advantage to that table that a generalist or out-of-town attorney simply does not have.
The court culture, the DA’s office priorities, and the way cases are handled at the Hall of Justice have their own patterns. An attorney who regularly appears in Riverside courts knows the tendencies of the local bench, how the DA’s office evaluates DUI cases, and which procedural arguments carry the most weight in this jurisdiction.
At Kia Law Firm, Attorney Kiarash Feyzjou handles both the DMV and criminal tracks simultaneously from the moment you call. The DMV hearing request goes out immediately. The criminal case evidence review begins the same day. You do not get handed off to an associate. You get a lawyer who is in Riverside County courts regularly and knows how to fight these cases from the inside.
What is the 10-day DMV hearing deadline for a DUI in California?
After a DUI arrest in California, you have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing to challenge your license suspension. This window runs from the arrest date, not from the date your temporary license expires. Missing this deadline results in an automatic suspension that takes effect on day 31. A DUI lawyer in Riverside can file this request for you immediately, often pausing the suspension while the hearing is pending.
Can a DUI charge be reduced or dismissed in Riverside County?
Yes. A DUI charge can be reduced to a lesser offense such as “wet reckless” through plea negotiations, or dismissed entirely if critical evidence is suppressed. Grounds for suppression include an unlawful traffic stop, improper administration of breath or field sobriety tests, and violations of the 15-minute observation period required before breathalyzer testing. The strength of your defense depends entirely on how early your attorney gets involved and how thoroughly the evidence is challenged.
What happens if I refuse the breathalyzer or blood test after arrest?
California’s implied consent law under Vehicle Code Section 23612 requires drivers to submit to a chemical test after a lawful arrest. Refusing this post-arrest test carries its own penalties: a one-year license suspension for a first refusal separate from the DUI charges themselves. The pre-arrest roadside PAS (Preliminary Alcohol Screening) device, however, is optional for most drivers over 21 who are not on DUI probation. Many people are never told this distinction at the roadside.
How long does a DUI case take to resolve in Riverside County?
A simple first-offense DUI in Riverside County typically resolves in three to six months from arraignment to resolution, depending on court scheduling, pre-trial motions, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases involving test refusals, injuries, or prior DUI convictions take longer. Having an attorney managing the process from day one keeps the case moving on a timeline that serves you.
A DUI arrest in Riverside is serious. But it is not a conviction. The evidence used against you, the driving pattern characterization, the pre-printed checklist of “symptoms,” and the field sobriety test results can all be challenged. The breath test number is not the final word. The officer’s report is not the final word.
What happens in the next 10 days can make a difference. Call Kia Law Firm at (855) 662-2723 for a free consultation, no upfront fees, no obligation. We handle both the DMV and the criminal case from day one, and we are available 24/7.
Arrested for DUI in Riverside?
You have 10 days to protect your license.
Don’t wait. Call Kia Law now.
A traffic stop turns into a DUI investigation. A heated argument at home becomes a domestic violence report. A misunderstanding with a coworker leads to criminal charges. One moment and everything changes.
If you or someone you love was just arrested in Riverside, what you do in the next 24 hours will shape everything that follows. A Riverside criminal lawyer can help you protect your rights from the first moment, but only if you call before you say another word to anyone.
The First Thing You Must Do: Stop Talking
This is not legal advice you’ll find buried at the end of an article. It is the single most important thing a Riverside criminal lawyer will tell you before anything else: stop talking.
Police officers are trained to investigate and obtain evidence to assist the prosecution in preparing a case against you. They are not on your side during a criminal investigation. That is not a cynical statement; it is how the system works. Everything you say after an arrest, even something that sounds innocent, gets written into a police report and handed to the prosecutor.
You have the right to remain silent. Use it.
When officers arrive or when they try to question you at the station, say this clearly: “I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak to an attorney.” Then stop. Do not explain. Do not clarify. Do not try to clear up the “misunderstanding.” The moment you start talking, you start building the prosecution’s case for them.
Before your arrest goes any further, this matters more than most people realise.
If police failed to read you your Miranda rights before questioning you, any statements you made may be inadmissible in court. This does not automatically dismiss your charges, but it can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case. A skilled criminal lawyer will examine exactly when the Miranda warning was given, whether it was given at all, and whether your answers to questions can be suppressed as a result.
These questions, among hundreds of others, are the starting point for a real criminal defense. You may have defenses you are not even aware you have. The only way to know is to speak to an attorney before you say another word to law enforcement, a detective, or anyone assigned to investigate the case.
Once you are in police custody in Riverside, the booking process begins.
Here is what to expect step by step.
You will be photographed, fingerprinted, and asked for basic personal information: your name, address, and date of birth. Provide this basic identification. Do not answer investigative questions. Do not sign any documents without speaking to your attorney first.
Your personal property will be collected and stored. You will receive a receipt. Keep this.
A basic health screening is conducted. If you have a medical condition or are on medication, state it clearly. This protects you and creates a record.
You will be placed in a holding cell while bail is processed. This can take several hours in Riverside County, which operates one of the busiest court systems in Southern California.
Bail may be set based on a schedule for minor offenses, or a judge may set it at arraignment for more serious charges. This is where having a criminal lawyer already working on your case makes a real difference. An attorney can argue for a lower bail or for your release on your own recognizance.
Bail is the amount you pay or a bail bondsman posts on your behalf to secure your release from custody while your case proceeds.
| Factor | How It Affects Bail |
| Severity of charges | Felony charges carry higher bail than misdemeanors |
| Criminal history | Prior convictions increase bail amounts |
| Flight risk | Ties to the community (family, employment) can lower bail |
| Danger to the public | Violent charge allegations push bail higher |
| Prior failures to appear | Missed court dates can result in bail denial |
Do not sign a bail agreement, a property lien, or any document from the jail or a bondsman without understanding exactly what you are committing to. Call your attorney first.
The arraignment is your first formal appearance before a Riverside County judge. This is where the charges against you are read aloud, and you enter a plea.
You have three options at arraignment:
Most criminal defense attorneys will advise you to plead not guilty at arraignment, even if you eventually intend to negotiate a plea. Pleading not guilty keeps every option open. It gives your criminal lawyer time to review the evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and negotiate from a position of strength.
Judges and prosecutors cannot give you legal advice. Do not rely on anything they say at arraignment as guidance for how to handle your case.
Most people arrested in Riverside make the same error. They try to explain their way out of it.
They tell the officer what really happened. They give a statement to the detective because they think cooperation will help. They call the person who accused them to “work it out.” They post about it on social media.
Every one of these actions can and will be used against you.
Here is the hard truth: talking without a lawyer present does not make your situation better. It makes the prosecutor’s job easier. You will not out-explain a trained investigator. You will not say the magic words that make the charges disappear. What you will do is give the prosecution material it did not have before you opened your mouth.
The best criminal lawyers will tell you the same thing: the best statement you can make to law enforcement after an arrest is no statement at all.
At Kia Law Firm, the work begins the moment you call, not after your arraignment, not after your first court date.
Here is what happens when you reach out immediately after an arrest.
Rapid Case Review: Attorney Kia Feyzjou reviews the circumstances of your arrest, the stop, the search, and the questioning to identify any constitutional violations before the prosecution has time to solidify its case.
Evidence Protection: Critical evidence disappears fast. Dashcam footage is often overwritten within 30 to 72 hours. Witness memories fade. The sooner a criminal lawyer is involved, the better the chance of preserving evidence that helps you.
Rights Assessment: Were you read your Miranda rights? Was the stop legal? Was the search of your vehicle or home conducted lawfully? These questions have to be answered early. The answers can reshape the entire case.
Bail Advocacy: If you are still in custody, Kia Law Firm moves to secure your release as quickly as possible, whether through negotiating bail or arguing for release on your own recognizance at your arraignment.
Communication Firewall: Your attorney becomes the point of contact for investigators, prosecutors, and the court. You stop fielding calls and questions. We handle them.
At Kia Law Firm, we never charge for the initial consultation. You should be able to choose the lawyer who will fight for you without having to pay upfront fees just to hear the truth about your situation.
The difference between early legal intervention and delayed action is not theoretical. It shows up in outcomes.
In April 2026, Kia Law Firm represented Elizabeth, a client charged in San Bernardino County with two DUI violations under California Vehicle Code 23152(a) and 23152(b), a standard drunk driving arrest that most people would assume leads to a standard DUI conviction. It did not.
Attorney Kiarash Feyzjou secured a resolution for a dry reckless charge and a pure reckless driving conviction with no alcohol component attached to it. Not a wet reckless (reckless driving involving alcohol), which still carries DUI-related consequences. A dry reckless. Elizabeth’s record will not show a DUI conviction. The charge does not count as a DUI prior. The long-term professional, licensing, and personal consequences of a DUI conviction do not apply.
Results like this do not happen by accident. They happen because the defense built the case correctly from the start, reviewing every angle of the evidence before the prosecution had the opportunity to lock in its position. That is exactly what early involvement makes possible.
At Kia Law Firm, we never charge for the initial consultation. You should be able to choose the lawyer who will fight for you without having to pay upfront fees just to hear the truth about your situation.
Here are the actions that most frequently damage a criminal defense case before it even starts:
What should I say to the police after being arrested in Riverside, California?
Say only that you are exercising your right to remain silent and that you want to speak to an attorney. Do not explain what happened, answer investigative questions, or try to clarify anything. Anything you say can be written into a police report and used by the prosecution. A criminal lawyer will advise you on what, if anything, to say once they have reviewed the full details of your case.
How long does it take to get bail after an arrest in Riverside County?
The booking process in Riverside County typically takes several hours before bail is determined. For minor charges, a standard bail schedule may apply, and release can happen the same day. For felony charges or complex cases, bail may not be set until your arraignment before a judge. Having a Riverside criminal lawyer involved from the start means someone is already working on securing your release.
Can charges be dismissed if the police didn’t read me my Miranda rights?
Failure to give a Miranda warning before custodial interrogation does not automatically dismiss the charges. However, it can result in any statements you made during that questioning being suppressed, meaning the prosecution cannot use them as evidence. This is a critical defense issue that your attorney will raise immediately through a motion to suppress evidence.
What happens at the arraignment in Riverside County?
At the arraignment, the charges against you are formally read, and you enter a plea. In most cases, your Riverside criminal lawyer will advise you to plead not guilty at this stage. This keeps all defense options open, preserves time for case review, and creates space to negotiate or fight the charges based on the actual evidence.
Do I have to consent to a search of my car or home?
No. You have the right to refuse consent to a search. If police conduct a search without your consent, a valid warrant, or a recognized legal exception, any evidence discovered may be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment. Whether that happened in your case is one of the first things a criminal defense attorney will assess.
How much does a criminal defense attorney in Riverside cost?
At Kia Law Firm, the initial consultation is always free. You should never have to pay just to understand your rights and hear an honest assessment of your situation. Attorney fees for representation vary depending on the complexity of the charge,e but the cost of going without a lawyer is almost always far higher.
Being arrested is terrifying. It does not have to define what comes next.
What happens in the first 24 hours after an arrest in Riverside County determines more about your case outcome than almost anything that follows. The evidence gathered. The statements made. The decisions were taken without legal counsel. These are the things that prosecutors build cases from and the things a Riverside criminal lawyer can challenge, suppress, or dismantle when they get involved early enough.
At Kia Law Firm, we believe you should be able to speak to an attorney before you make any decision without paying upfront fees to do so. Attorney Kiarash Feyzjou has built this firm on one principle: your strongest defense begins before you say a single word without counsel.
Don’t be bullied into a decision before you know your rights.
Call Kia Law Firm now (855) 662-2723 for a free case review, available 24/7.
Our client, Griselda, was involved in an altercation where she was charged with PC 245(a)(1), assault with a deadly weapon a strike. Through strategic maneuvering we were able to reduce the offense to a misdemeanor despite adamant opposition by the prosecutor. Once the case became a misdemeanor, we sought to enter our client into a diversion program pursuant to Penal Code 1001.95. The prosecutor also objected to that as well. At the of our several year ordeal, we were able to get our client into diversion. Our client’s original charge was a strike. Once she completes diversion, her case will be closed and we will ask to seal her arrest record.
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Preliminary Hearing Transcript
