When Everything Is
On the Line,
Fight Back Hard.
Richard Wagner is a former DUI prosecutor who now uses that insider knowledge to aggressively defend clients across Orange County. 27+ years. Thousands of cases. Results that matter.
Critical: You have only 10 days after a DUI arrest to request a DMV hearing. Act now to protect your license.
Years of Experience
Cases Handled
AVVO Rating
Star Google Reviews
I want to be a force for real good. I want to be the force which is truly for good.
— John Coltrane, the guiding philosophy of the Strike Force
He Knows How Prosecutors
Build Their Cases.
Richard Wagner spent two years as a prosecutor for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, where he personally handled thousands of DUI, domestic violence, assault, and firearms cases. He lectured LAPD officers on case preparation and courtroom testimony.
Since 2002, he has been in private practice — using that insider knowledge exclusively to defend clients. He knows exactly how the prosecution thinks, what evidence they rely on, and where cases can be challenged. That prosecutorial experience is your strategic advantage.
Credentials & Recognition
- Former DUI Prosecutor — Los Angeles City Attorney's Office
- Chapman University School of Law, J.D. 1998
- UC Santa Barbara, B.A. 1989
- California Bar — Passed First Attempt
- National College for DUI Defense
- Super Lawyers 2025–2026 (DUI/DWI)
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers — National Trial Lawyers
- Nation's Top 1% — National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- 10.0 Superb Rating — AVVO
Our Mission: To courageously represent the underdog, the excluded, and the marginalized. To right wrongs, speak truth to power, and stand up for people who have nobody in their corner.
Professional Memberships
Every DUI Case Is Different.
Every Defense Must Be Too.
Richard Wagner serves clients throughout Orange County — Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Westminster.
First Offense DUI
A first DUI in California can result in fines, license suspension, and even jail time. Early intervention is critical to protecting your record.
Second DUI Offense
Penalties escalate significantly for a second DUI. Mandatory jail time, longer suspensions, and ignition interlock requirements are all at stake.
Third DUI Offense
A third DUI is treated as a serious habitual offense. Richard Wagner has the courtroom experience to fight for the best possible outcome.
DUI Drugs (DUID)
Driving under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs carries the same penalties as alcohol DUI — and requires specialized defense strategies.
DUI Marijuana
Marijuana DUI cases involve complex science around impairment testing. Richard Wagner understands how to challenge field sobriety and blood tests.
Felony DUI & Bodily Injury
When a DUI involves an accident with injuries, charges can escalate to a felony with state prison exposure. This demands an aggressive defense.
DMV License Suspension Hearings
You have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing. Richard Wagner fights to protect your driving privileges separate from the criminal case.
Wet Reckless Reductions
In some cases, a DUI charge can be reduced to a 'wet reckless' — a lesser offense with significantly reduced penalties and consequences.
Additional Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Orange County Courts We Serve
"Your case becomes my case."
— Richard Wagner
The Defense Advantage
Only a Former Prosecutor Can Offer.
Insider Prosecutorial Knowledge
As a former LA City Prosecutor, Richard Wagner knows exactly how DUI cases are built — and where they can be torn apart. He uses that insider knowledge exclusively for your defense.
Specialized DUI Training
Certified in NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). He understands breathalyzer science, blood test procedures, and Title 17 regulations — and how to challenge them.
Expert Witness Network
Richard Wagner works with leading expert witnesses, toxicologists, and private investigators to build the most powerful defense possible for each client.
Secure 24/7 Case Access
Clients have round-the-clock access to their case files through a double-encrypted online case management system. You're always informed, never in the dark.
Aggressive, Responsive Representation
Richard Wagner is personally accessible — he returns calls and emails promptly. When you hire him, your case becomes his case.
27+ Years, Thousands of Cases
From first-offense DUIs to complex felony cases in Federal Court, Richard Wagner has the depth of experience to handle any criminal defense matter in California.
From Arrest to Acquittal:
Your Defense Roadmap.
Free Consultation
Call, text, or submit the form. Richard Wagner personally reviews every case and responds promptly. All consultations are free and strictly confidential.
Case Investigation
Richard Wagner immediately requests all evidence — police reports, breathalyzer calibration records, dashcam footage, blood test chain of custody — and analyzes every detail for weaknesses.
DMV Hearing Defense
Within 10 days of your arrest, Richard Wagner requests your DMV APS hearing and fights to preserve your driving privileges — a separate battle from the criminal case.
Aggressive Court Defense
From arraignment through trial, Richard Wagner challenges every piece of evidence, files suppression motions, negotiates with prosecutors, and fights for dismissal or reduction of charges.
Arrested for DUI in Orange County?
You have only 10 days to request your DMV hearing. Every hour counts.
Former Prosecutor.
Proven Defender.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood."
Central Justice Center – Santa Ana
DUI (.09 Blood Alcohol) with Accident
DUI Dismissed — Reduced to Wet Reckless. DMV Suspension Overturned.
Newport Beach Courthouse
DUI — Refusal to Submit to Breath/Blood Test
Not Guilty — Jury Trial Victory. DMV Suspension Set Aside.
West Covina Courthouse, LA County
DUI — BAC .19%, Speeding, Near-Collision with CHP
Not Guilty on All Charges — Jury Acquittal. DMV Suspension Dismissed.
Whittier Courthouse, LA County
2nd DUI — BAC .19% Blood Test, Traffic Accident
Not Guilty — Jury Trial Victory.
Compton Courthouse, LA County
DUI — Charged by LA District Attorney
DUI Dismissed after Two Hung Juries.
San Bernardino Superior Court
Felony — Commercial Burglary, Transportation & Possession of Marijuana for Sale
All Felony Charges Dismissed. Prison Time and Drug Registration Avoided.
Bellflower Courthouse, LA County
Serious Felony Sex Charges
All Charges Dismissed. Prison Avoided. Lifetime Sex Registration Avoided.
Orange County Superior Court
DUI with Injury — Felony Charges
Charges Reduced to Misdemeanor. No Jail Time.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique. Client names withheld for privacy.
Real Clients.
Real Results.
Google Reviews
Yelp Reviews
AVVO Rating
Superb
Peace of Mind
"He really helped me out with my DUI case and answered any questions I had or needed to be answered and gave me peace of mind!"
10/10 — Thank You Richard
"I needed a lawyer who could help my case who is knowledgeable in the field, affordable, and can explain things to me simply. Richard saved me time and appeared on my behalf, filed paperwork, and He & His team were very accessible when I had questions! I had missed a deadline which I needed to request an extension in person — Richard was able to help me by showing up in person, filing the extension and I was out the building in 5 minutes."
Restored My Faith in Lawyers
"In 1994, when I first immigrated to the U.S., I was involved in a violent incident and hired a lawyer, but I suffered a lot and lost a lot of money because the case was handled incorrectly. After that, I distrusted lawyers. But this case made me respect lawyers. It's all thanks to Richard Wagner. He handled the case diligently and accurately."
Would Give More Stars
"If I could give Richard Wagner more stars, I would. He was professional and honest from the start. I did not feel pressured once, rather heard. He was timely and efficient and I got the outcome in Court that I was promised. Really appreciative of how promptly he handled my case."
Better Than Expected
"Richard was able to achieve an even better outcome for my case than what we initially thought was possible. I couldn't be more grateful to him for this than I currently am. I highly recommend hiring him."
Case Dismissed
"Richard Wagner is the best DUI lawyer in Orange County. He was always available to answer my questions and kept me informed throughout the entire process. He got my case dismissed and I couldn't be happier."
Common Questions
Answered Directly.
Facing a DUI arrest is overwhelming. Here are honest answers to the questions clients ask most often.
Have a question not listed here? Call Richard Wagner directly for a free, confidential consultation.
Call (714) 721-4423Act quickly. Write down everything you remember about the traffic stop and arrest. Keep all paperwork the officer provided. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your attorney. Most critically — you have only 10 days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing to challenge the automatic suspension of your driver's license. Contact Richard Wagner immediately.
Your Defense Starts
With One Call.
Don't wait. Every hour after a DUI arrest matters. Contact Richard Wagner today for a free, confidential consultation.
Irvine Office
Serving all of Orange County
Irvine · Newport Beach · Anaheim
Santa Ana · Fullerton · Westminster
Available
24/7 for urgent DUI matters
Free consultation always available
The Law Office of Richard Wagner, A Professional Corporation. Serving Orange County, Los Angeles County, and throughout Southern California.