Pasadena, CA DUI Lawyer
Inside Pasadena city limits, misdemeanor DUI cases are prosecuted by the City Prosecutor, not the District Attorney.
DUI DEFENSE FOR PASADENA ARRESTS
How a Pasadena DUI case moves forward
Pasadena is one of 10 cities where the Los Angeles County District Attorney does not prosecute local misdemeanors. Inside city limits, a misdemeanor DUI is prosecuted by the Pasadena City Prosecutor. A case filed as a felony goes to the District Attorney.
Misdemeanor cases from Pasadena are generally heard at the Pasadena Courthouse on East Walnut Street. The court named on your citation is the one you must attend.
Our published results include eight DUI cases at the Pasadena Courthouse, from 2010 to 2016. Our only office is in Los Angeles, at 3810 Wilshire Blvd.
WHO HANDLES WHAT
The offices in a Pasadena case
Courthouse
Pasadena Courthouse
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
300 East Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91101
Main phone: (626) 396-3300
- The building is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays.
- Criminal Clerk’s Office: Room 106 (first floor), phone (626) 396-3393. The court lists its hours as 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Everyone goes through security screening. Weapons, recording devices, and cameras are not allowed without prior authorization.
- Pay parking: the structure at Marengo Avenue and Walnut Street (entrance at 240 Ramona St.). Its ceiling clearance is 6 feet 6 inches, so a large truck or SUV may not fit. Other pay lots are nearby.
Prosecutor
Pasadena City Prosecutor
The Office of the City Attorney/City Prosecutor prosecutes misdemeanors that occur inside the City of Pasadena. It files its criminal complaints in the Superior Court.
Felony charges are filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney. An arrest outside city limits, for example in unincorporated Altadena, is not a City Prosecutor case.
Police and CHP
Who makes the arrest
On city streets, DUI arrests are usually made by the Pasadena Police Department, 207 N. Garfield Ave.
On state freeways such as Interstate 210 and State Route 134, arrests are usually made by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The nearest CHP office listed by the CHP is the Altadena Area office, 2130 Windsor Ave., Altadena, phone (626) 646-0500.
Your license
DMV Driver Safety
The license case is not handled at the courthouse. 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. 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.
THE FIRST WEEKS
What to do first
The DMV deadline usually comes before the first court date. The DMV hearing page explains the license case in more detail.
DAY OF THE ARREST
Keep every paper
If the officer took your California license, the order of suspension you received usually also serves as a temporary license. It is valid for 30 days from the arrest. Your citation or release papers usually show the date and court where you must appear.
WITHIN 10 DAYS
Ask for the DMV hearing
Asking for a hearing does not by itself stop the suspension. If the DMV cannot hold the hearing and decide before the suspension date, it must delay the suspension until it decides.
FIRST COURT DATE
The arraignment
The arraignment is usually the first court date. The judge explains the charges and your rights, and a plea is entered. In a misdemeanor case, a defendant may generally appear through an attorney. In DUI cases, however, the court may order you to be present at the arraignment, plea, or sentencing.
LOCAL ENFORCEMENT
Checkpoints and patrols in Pasadena
The Pasadena Police Department has announced DUI enforcement in advance on the City of Pasadena website. Examples include DUI and driver’s license checkpoints in 2019, 2021, 2023, and April 2024.
The department also announced DUI saturation patrols in 2020 and 2022. These are extra patrols that look for impaired drivers. In February 2020, it said it had investigated 88 DUI collisions in 2019.
In September 2019, the city announced a warrant operation that arrested four people with outstanding misdemeanor DUI warrants. It is a reminder to keep every court date listed on your papers.
RESULTS AT THE PASADENA COURTHOUSE
Our Pasadena Courthouse results
Our Success Stories page lists eight DUI cases at the Pasadena Courthouse, from 2010 to 2016. The five most recent are shown here. In all eight cases, 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. In the case details, PAS means the roadside preliminary alcohol screening test.
2016
DUI charge dismissed; wet reckless plea
Allegation: Marijuana + 0.04 PAS
Disposition: DUI dismissed; Wet Reckless plea
2015
DUI charge dismissed; wet reckless plea
Allegation: 0.09 Breath
Disposition: DUI dismissed; Wet Reckless plea
DUI charge dismissed; wet reckless plea
Allegation: 0.17 Blood
Disposition: DUI dismissed; Wet Reckless plea
DUI charge dismissed; wet reckless plea
Allegation: 0.10 Breath
Disposition: DUI dismissed; Wet Reckless plea
2014
DUI charge dismissed; wet reckless plea
Allegation: Refusal w/ 1 Prior
Disposition: Second 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.
YOUR ATTORNEY
Talk to Jeff Yeh about a Pasadena case
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.
Call (213) 446-2495 any time, 24/7, for a free consultation.
20+
Years of DUI Defense Experience
2,000+
DUI Cases Handled
PASADENA QUESTIONS
Questions we hear about Pasadena cases
The same stop also led to a traffic ticket. Where is that handled?
My arrest was in Altadena, not Pasadena. Is anything different?
I was stopped at a DUI checkpoint in Pasadena. What rules apply to checkpoints?
English is not my first language. Can I get help at court?
NEARBY PAGES
Nearby courts
Glendale DUI Lawyer
Glendale Courthouse on East Broadway; the LA County District Attorney prosecutes Glendale DUI charges.
Alhambra DUI Lawyer
Alhambra Courthouse hears criminal cases; traffic tickets from its area go to the Pasadena Courthouse.
El Monte DUI Lawyer
El Monte Courthouse on East Valley Blvd., the El Monte police jail, and its Pay-to-Stay program.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer
DUI defense for arrests in the City of Los Angeles.
RELATED DUI DEFENSE
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).
Drug DUI
Cases involving cannabis, prescription medication, or other drugs.
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.
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.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
- Superior Court of Los Angeles County: Pasadena Courthouse (hours, clerks, parking)
- Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rules, Chapter 2 (filing districts)
- Los Angeles County directory: Northeast District, Pasadena Courthouse
- City of Pasadena: Prosecution Division, Office of the City Attorney
- City of Pasadena: City Attorney FAQ
- Los Angeles County District Attorney: Office FAQs
- City of Pasadena: DUI news and announcements
- Pasadena Police Department: April 26, 2024 checkpoint announcement (PDF)
- City of Pasadena: Police Department contact
- California Highway Patrol: Altadena Area office
- California DMV: Driving under the influence
- California DMV: Driver Safety offices
- California DMV: Driver Safety administrative hearings (FFDL 26)
- California DMV: Driver Safety portal
- California Vehicle Code 13558 (DMV hearing request)
- California Penal Code 977 (appearance through counsel)
- California Vehicle Code 23103.5 (wet reckless)
- Ingersoll v. Palmer (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1321
Arrested or charged with a DUI in Pasadena? Talk to a lawyer now
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