Irvine, CA DUI Lawyer

The court assigns criminal cases from Irvine to the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

DUI DEFENSE FOR IRVINE ARRESTS

An Irvine arrest, a Newport Beach court date

Orange County’s Court Designation List assigns criminal and traffic cases from Irvine to the Harbor Justice Center. The court named on your citation or release papers is the one that counts.

A DUI arrest in Irvine may be made by the Irvine Police Department, the UCI Police Department, or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Misdemeanor cases are generally prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney.

Our published results include one DUI case at the Harbor Justice Center, in 2026. Our only office is in Los Angeles, at 3810 Wilshire Blvd.

THE OFFICES IN AN IRVINE CASE

The court, the prosecutor, and the police

Courthouse

Harbor Justice Center - Newport Beach

Superior Court of California, County of Orange
4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Main phone: (657) 622-5400

The court’s page lists hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for its traffic office.
Criminal and traffic phone: (657) 622-8459. Letters for criminal and traffic matters go to the building address.
TDD line for deaf or hard-of-hearing callers: (657) 622-8037.
Everyone passes through a weapons screening device, and hand-carried items are X-rayed.
Items such as pocket knives, scissors, corkscrews, and pepper spray are not allowed in the building.
The court’s page for this justice center links a parking map for visitors and jurors, and a floor plan.

Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Prosecutor

Orange County District Attorney

According to the City of Anaheim, the District Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor violations of state law everywhere in the county outside Anaheim. That includes Irvine.

The District Attorney lists an office at the Harbor Justice Center, 4601 Jamboree Road.

Police and CHP

Irvine Police Department

1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606
Phone: (949) 724-7000

The department provides law enforcement services for the city of Irvine. On freeways, DUI arrests are usually made by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Your license

A DMV case, separate from court

Your driver’s license is not decided at the Harbor Justice Center. A DMV Driver Safety hearing officer decides it.

To get a hearing before the suspension takes effect, ask within 10 days of receiving the DMV notice. The notice is usually given at the arrest. Asking for a hearing does not by itself stop the suspension.

The DMV lists a Driver Safety phone number, (833) 543-7703, and an online Driver Safety portal. Hearings may be held remotely or in person.

UC IRVINE AND DRIVERS UNDER 21

Campus police and younger drivers

The UCI Police Department is at 410 East Peltason Drive, Irvine. Its 24-hour non-emergency line for the campus is (949) 824-5223.

Under Penal Code 830.2, UC police officers are peace officers. Their main duty is to enforce the law on the campus, within one mile of its outer boundaries, and on other University of California property (Education Code 92600).

After an arrest by UCI officers, check your citation for the justice center, as with any other arrest.

Drivers under 21 may not drive with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01% or more (Vehicle Code 23136). This “zero tolerance” rule is handled through a DMV suspension.

Driving under 21 with 0.05% or more is a separate violation (Vehicle Code 23140), and the adult DUI law can also apply. For 23140 cases, the county’s approved program list shows 12-hour programs for ages 18 to 20.

A case against a driver under 18 may be heard at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. That justice center hears the county’s juvenile delinquency cases.

IRVINE POLICE ENFORCEMENT

Checkpoints funded through September 2026

In November 2025, the Irvine Police Department announced $539,000 in grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The grants cover a period ending September 30, 2026.

The stated goals include DUI checkpoints and extra patrols. They also include training officers to spot impaired drivers, and tracking DUI information to identify repeat offenders.

On September 21, 2026, the department announced a DUI checkpoint for Saturday, September 26. It was set for 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the area of Jamboree Road and Michelson Drive.

The department said checkpoint locations are selected using collision and DUI arrest data.

For 2023, OTS counted 55 people killed or injured in alcohol-involved crashes in Irvine, and 349 DUI arrests. OTS compares Irvine with the other California cities of more than 250,000 people (15 cities in all).

In that group, Irvine ranked 15th for alcohol-involved victims, where 1st is the highest. These city figures leave out freeway crashes outside the city’s jurisdiction.

LOCAL DUI UPDATES

Recent official announcements

Official DUI announcements for this area from the past 12 months, newest first.

AUGUST 5, 2026

Checkpoint near MacArthur Boulevard and Main Street

The Irvine Police Department announced a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint near MacArthur Boulevard and Main Street. It was set for Saturday, August 8, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The department said it chooses locations using data on DUI arrests and collisions.

Source: Irvine Police Department news release, August 5, 2026

JULY 15, 2026

Checkpoint at Bake Parkway and Rockfield Boulevard

The department announced a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint in the area of Bake Parkway and Rockfield Boulevard. It was set for Saturday, July 18, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Source: Irvine Police Department news release, July 15, 2026

JUNE 9, 2026

Checkpoint at Culver and Walnut

The department announced a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint in the area of Culver and Walnut. It was set for Saturday, June 13, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Source: Irvine Police Department news release, June 9, 2026

AT THE HARBOR JUSTICE CENTER

Before and at the first court date

These steps come from Orange County court rules and pages.

BEFORE THE FIRST DATE

An attorney may arraign you informally

For many misdemeanors, Local Rule 856 lets a defense attorney enter a not guilty plea with the Harbor Justice Center clerk on or before the arraignment date. This can be done by phone, by fax, or at the counter.

The option is not available in some situations. Examples are when a prior DUI is alleged, when you are in custody, or when a warrant has been issued. In a DUI case, the court may still order you to appear in person (Penal Code 977).

FIRST COURT DATE

Plan for an 8:30 a.m. start

Orange County criminal hearings are generally set for 8:30 a.m. Allow time for the security screening at the entrance. Your courtroom number is on the calendar posted in the building.

IF YOU HAVE A PRIOR DUI

DUI Court at the Harbor Justice Center

Orange County’s first DUI Court began at the Harbor Justice Center in October 2004. It is a voluntary program for repeat DUI cases, with treatment and court supervision.

Misdemeanor participants, who are usually second- or third-time offenders, stay in the program for at least 12 months. You apply to the DUI Court for the city where you live.

RESULTS AT THE HARBOR JUSTICE CENTER

Our Harbor Justice Center result

Our Success Stories page lists one DUI case at the Harbor Justice Center, from 2026. In that case, the DUI charge was dismissed and the client pleaded to a lesser charge often called a “wet reckless.” A wet reckless is a reckless driving conviction entered with a statement that alcohol or drugs were involved (Vehicle Code 23103.5). It still counts as a prior if there is a new DUI within 10 years.

2026

DUI charge dismissed; wet reckless plea

Allegation: 0.08 Breath
Disposition: DUI dismissed: Wet Reckless plea

The results described above were dependent on the facts of each case. Results will differ if based on different facts. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.

SEE ALL SUCCESS STORIES

YOUR ATTORNEY

Help in English or Mandarin

Attorney Jeff Yeh focuses his practice on DUI defense and DMV hearings. He stays responsible for your case from start to finish, working with experienced co-counsel when a case calls for it.

Attorney Jeff Yeh speaks English and Mandarin Chinese, along with basic Japanese and Korean; a Japanese-speaking secretary and a Korean interpreter can help when needed.

Call (213) 446-2495 any time, 24/7, for a free consultation.

Call (213) 446-2495

20+

Years of DUI Defense Experience

2,000+

DUI Cases Handled

IRVINE QUESTIONS

Questions about Irvine arrests

I was arrested at John Wayne Airport. Does my case also go to the Harbor Justice Center?

How do I ask for a Mandarin interpreter at the Harbor Justice Center?

My Irvine case was filed as a felony. Will every hearing be in Newport Beach?

If the court orders a DUI program, is there one in Irvine?

MORE ORANGE COUNTY PAGES

Other Orange County pages

Orange County DUI Lawyer

Which of four justice centers hears each of the 34 cities, who prosecutes, Local Rule 856, and DUI Court.

Fullerton DUI Lawyer

North Justice Center in Fullerton, shared with Anaheim and six other cities; court interpreter details.

Westminster DUI Lawyer

Cases at the West Justice Center in Westminster.

RELATED DUI DEFENSE

Underage DUI

Drivers under 21, including zero-tolerance license cases.

DMV Hearing

Ask for a hearing within 10 days of receiving the DMV notice, which is usually given at the arrest.

Alcohol DUI

Breath and blood test cases under Vehicle Code 23152(a) and (b).

ABOUT THIS PAGE

Prepared by the Law Office of Jeff Yeh (Attorney Jeff Yeh, State Bar of California No. 240430), 3810 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

Last updated: September 29, 2026. The local facts on this page were checked against the official sources listed here on that date.

Reviewed by Attorney Jeff Yeh on October 6, 2026.

About Attorney Jeff Yeh →

This page is general information about California DUI cases, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Court locations, phone numbers, and procedures can change. Check the official sources listed here or call us.