If you were arrested for DUI near Downtown Los Angeles, USC, or the South Park district, your case almost certainly begins at Metropolitan Courthouse, located at 1945 S. Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90007. This is one of the busiest misdemeanor courts in California—handling hundreds of DUI matters every week.
Facing a DUI here can feel overwhelming. The building is crowded, parking is limited, and courtroom calendars move fast. Many defendants arrive without understanding what’s about to happen. That’s where an experienced Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer makes a critical difference—by guiding you through every step of this complex process and ensuring your rights are protected from the start.
At Power Trial Lawyers, our attorneys regularly handle DUI cases in Los Angeles County courts, including Metropolitan, Airport, Clara Shortridge Foltz, and Pasadena. While each courthouse operates under the same California Vehicle Code, the way cases move—and how prosecutors negotiate—can vary significantly between courthouses.
Metropolitan Courthouse serves the Central Los Angeles region, covering arrests made by LAPD’s Central Traffic Division, CHP, and nearby precincts. It primarily handles misdemeanor DUIs, traffic offenses, and hit-and-run cases. You’ll find the courthouse just south of the 10 Freeway, near the LA Convention Center and Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena).
Court address: 1945 S. Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Prosecutor: Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office
Jurisdiction: DUI, traffic misdemeanors, and limited felonies (first appearances only)
Callout: Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes early for parking, security screening, and line delays.
After clearing security, defendants typically check posted calendars near the main lobby. Each department posts its list of names and times. It’s common for cases to be heard on the second or third floor.
If you’ve hired a Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer, your attorney will usually handle your appearance, check in with the clerk, and navigate the scheduling process—allowing you to avoid unnecessary stress or confusion.
In Los Angeles County, not all DUIs are prosecuted by the same office.
At Metropolitan, the Los Angeles City Attorney handles most misdemeanor DUI cases, while the District Attorney’s Office prosecutes felony DUIs at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
A Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer understands the local prosecutors, their internal guidelines, and how plea offers or diversion opportunities may differ from other courthouses. While every case is unique, having counsel familiar with Metropolitan’s procedures can streamline your defense and often produce more efficient outcomes.
If your DUI involved injury or aggravating circumstances, your case might first appear at Metropolitan but later be transferred to a felony department at Clara Shortridge Foltz Courthouse.
Facing a DUI means managing two simultaneous cases: one with the California DMV and one in criminal court. Below is a simplified view of how the process unfolds once your arrest leads to an appearance at Metropolitan.
| Stage | What Happens | Your Role | Your Lawyer’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrest | You’re booked and released (citation or bail). Police file a report with the City Attorney. | Secure your paperwork; avoid discussing details online or with anyone but your lawyer. | Begin investigation, request evidence, preserve video. |
| Arraignment | First appearance (often 3–6 weeks post-arrest). | You may not need to appear if your lawyer is retained. | Enter plea, request discovery, assert rights. |
| Pretrial | Negotiation, motion filing, potential plea. | Provide documentation and updates to counsel. | Negotiate, file suppression motions, review discovery. |
| DMV APS Hearing | Administrative license hearing (separate). | Provide info on arrest and any medical conditions. | Challenge BAC test, officer testimony, calibration. |
| Trial | If unresolved, jury trial (rare). | May testify if advised. | Examine witnesses, present defenses. |
A Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer knows how to synchronize these two tracks so that what happens at the DMV doesn’t undermine your criminal defense—or vice versa.
The arraignment is your first formal appearance before a judge. Here’s what typically happens:
If you’ve hired a Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer, you may not have to appear personally at arraignment for misdemeanor charges. Your attorney can appear on your behalf under Penal Code §977, allowing you to continue working and avoid unnecessary exposure.
Your arrest triggered two separate processes: the criminal case at Metropolitan Courthouse and an administrative action by the California DMV. If you do not request a hearing within 10 days of your arrest, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended—regardless of what happens in court.
You only have 10 days to request a DMV hearing. Don’t miss this critical deadline.
A Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer can immediately contact the DMV Driver Safety Office on your behalf to:
Because the DMV hearing is administrative—not criminal—the burden of proof is lower. Yet, the evidence often overlaps with your court case (blood alcohol content, time of testing, officer observations).
This makes it vital that your Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer approaches both defenses together, using consistent theories and preserving valuable cross-examination opportunities.
Within the first 30 days after your DUI arrest, every action you take (or fail to take) affects your case’s trajectory.
Being charged with a DUI in Downtown Los Angeles doesn’t have to end in conviction. The system at Metropolitan Courthouse is designed to process hundreds of cases quickly—but that doesn’t mean your individual rights disappear.
Having an experienced Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer ensures someone is advocating for you, examining every piece of evidence, and protecting your driving privileges from the DMV to the courtroom.
If you’ve been arrested for DUI and your paperwork lists “Metropolitan Courthouse,” don’t wait until your first court date to act.
Call Power Trial Lawyers today at (888) 808-2179 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We defend clients across Los Angeles County and know how to navigate the unique challenges of Metropolitan Courthouse DUI defense.
When you appear before a judge at Metropolitan Courthouse, most DUI complaints are filed under one or more of these sections of the California Vehicle Code:
A seasoned Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer evaluates which of these charges apply, whether the arresting officer’s procedures complied with Title 17 testing requirements, and whether any prior conviction allegations are valid.
Every DUI case is built on evidence that can be challenged. Below are defenses commonly asserted at Metropolitan Courthouse and why they matter.
If officers lacked reasonable suspicion to pull you over, any resulting evidence may be suppressed under PC § 1538.5.
A Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer reviews dash-cam video, dispatch logs, and the officer’s report to determine whether the initial stop was lawful.
Field sobriety tests are subjective and highly dependent on lighting, footwear, and road conditions. Video can show inconsistencies between the report and reality.
Breathalyzer devices must be calibrated every 10 days or 150 tests. Mouth alcohol from mouthwash or acid reflux (GERD) can inflate readings.
Your Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer subpoenas calibration logs and operator certifications to expose errors.
Lab errors and chain-of-custody issues can invalidate results. Fermentation, contamination, or improper preservatives can raise BAC artificially. Experienced counsel requests the lab packet and may consult independent toxicologists.
Alcohol levels rise after drinking stops. A test taken later may reflect a BAC above 0.08 even though it was lower while driving. This defense requires scientific back-calculation and expert testimony—tools a Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer uses regularly.
Diabetes, ketosis, or neurological conditions can mimic intoxication. Documenting these through medical records often reshapes plea negotiations.
Successful DUI defenses focus on procedure, science, and timing—each point a skilled Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer knows how to leverage.
Defense attorneys file formal requests for:
| Evidence Item | Why It Matters | Defense Use |
|---|---|---|
| Body-cam video | Verifies officer claims | Identify missteps in stop or testing |
| Breath logs | Shows calibration dates | Challenge device accuracy |
| Blood lab packet | Proves chain of custody | Expose contamination |
| CHP or LAPD dispatch log | Confirms stop reason | Attack probable cause |
| Officer training | Reveals qualification gaps | Undermine credibility |
Your Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer synthesizes these records to craft motions to suppress or exclude evidence before trial. If successful, the City Attorney’s case may collapse or lead to a reduction to a “wet reckless” (V C § 23103.5).
Most DUIs here resolve through plea bargains. A knowledgeable Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer evaluates:
Typical reduction options may include:
Defense motions are often heard before trial—such as motion to suppress (PC 1538.5) or motion to dismiss (PC 1385). If the City Attorney refuses a reasonable offer, your lawyer prepares jury instructions, witness lists, and expert subpoenas.
Even preparing for trial can shift negotiation leverage, encouraging a more favorable resolution.
At Metropolitan, cases move fast, but defense strategy must move faster—an experienced Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer keeps you ahead of the curve.
Below is a linear summary of potential DUI penalties under California law (approximate ranges for Los Angeles County cases):
| Consequence | Range |
|---|---|
| Jail | Up to 6 months (county) – often suspended with probation |
| Fines & Assessments | $2,000 – $2,500 total |
| DUI Program | 3 to 9 months |
| License | 6–10 month suspension (DMV) |
| Probation | 3 years informal |
| Consequence | Range |
|---|---|
| Jail | 96 hours – 1 year |
| Fines | ~$2,500+ |
| Program | 18 months |
| License | 2-year suspension |
| IID (Interlock) | 1 year mandatory |
| Consequence | Range |
|---|---|
| Jail | Up to 1 year |
| Program | 30 months |
| License | 3-year revocation |
| Status | Habitual traffic offender |
| Consequence | Range |
|---|---|
| Prison | 16 months – 3 years |
| Fines | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| License | Up to 5 years revoked |
| Probation | Formal (supervised) |
Your Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer explains how local judges apply these ranges, what mitigations help reduce jail or IID time, and how early program enrollment may influence sentencing leniency.
A DUI conviction doesn’t end with the judge’s ruling. It can trigger far-reaching effects that only a strategic Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer anticipates.
Many clients here hold professional licenses—lawyers, doctors, nurses, psychologists, real-estate agents, pilots, and teachers. Agencies such as the Medical Board of California, State Bar, and BRN require self-reporting of criminal convictions.
Your attorney coordinates with licensing counsel to file timely mitigation statements and explain rehabilitative steps. Failure to report truthfully can worsen disciplinary outcomes.
Even a first offense can cause a 1-year CDL disqualification (49 CFR § 383.51). If driving is your livelihood, your Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer explores alternatives such as non-alcohol reductions to save employment eligibility.
While a simple DUI is not a deportable offense by itself, any case involving injury, drugs, or aggravated elements can raise immigration flags. Defense counsel coordinates with immigration attorneys to structure pleas that avoid adverse findings of moral turpitude.
Zero-tolerance laws (V C § 23136) suspend licenses at BAC 0.01+. Even without a criminal conviction, the DMV may impose a 1-year suspension. Early representation by a Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer is essential for minors to preserve driving rights for school and work.
The criminal case and DMV APS hearing often share witnesses and lab results.
A defense win at the DMV can strengthen negotiation leverage in court, and vice versa.
Your attorney keeps a shared timeline so deadlines for both forums are met.
The right Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer treats the DMV and court cases as one battle with two fronts—ensuring consistency and strategy.
Trial is not always the goal—but when evidence is weak or the City Attorney won’t negotiate fairly, trial can be the best path to vindication.
Factors favoring trial:
A trial-ready Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer brings credibility to negotiations. Even the threat of a jury trial often motivates better offers.
Q1: Can a DUI be dismissed at Metropolitan Courthouse?
A: Yes, if evidence is suppressed or procedures violated. Dismissals occur through motions or plea reductions negotiated by a Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer.
Q2: Do I need to take a breath test if stopped in Downtown LA?
A: Pre-arrest field tests are voluntary, but post-arrest chemical tests are mandatory under implied-consent laws.
Q3: What if I refused testing?
A: Refusal adds license suspension and jail exposure; defense focuses on whether the officer properly advised you.
Q4: Will a DUI affect my professional license?
A: Possibly; a lawyer can coordinate mitigation filings to avoid discipline.
Q5: Can I get a restricted license after conviction?
A: Yes, through IID installation or restricted driving application with DMV.
Q6: Are DUI programs mandatory?
A: Yes, state-approved programs are a sentencing requirement in most cases.
Q7: How long does a DUI stay on record?
A: Ten years for priorability purposes; some records may be expunged under PC § 1203.4.
Q8: Can a non-citizen avoid deportation after DUI?
A: Often yes; non-injury DUIs are not categorical grounds for removal.
Q9: How can I reduce my insurance impact?
A: Enroll in IID program quickly and maintain proof of SR-22 to shorten rate hikes.
Q10: Should I hire a local lawyer versus a general criminal defense attorney?
A: Local experience matters; a Metropolitan Courthouse DUI lawyer knows procedures, prosecutors, and typical plea paths.