About the author →
Torrance is a planned South Bay city built around aerospace manufacturing and the Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the nation's largest shopping destinations. DUI stops happen frequently along Pacific Coast Highway, Hawthorne Boulevard, and the freeways that cross the city. What makes a Torrance DUI unique is that the city attorney — not the District Attorney — prosecutes the case if it's a misdemeanor.
How DUIs are policed in Torrance
Torrance has its own police department, the Torrance Police Department, which conducts regular DUI checkpoints and patrols. In recent California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) rankings, Torrance reports active DUI enforcement and ranks among the higher-enforcement South Bay agencies for DUI arrests (DRAFT — verify Torrance's current-year OTS rank and arrest count at ots.ca.gov). The department's Traffic Division deploys DUI-focused motor officers and runs checkpoints and saturation patrols at locations selected from impaired-driving crash data, typically on weekend nights and around high-risk enforcement periods (DRAFT — verify schedule).
- Active DUI enforcement; ranks among the higher South Bay agencies for DUI arrests in OTS rankings (DRAFT — verify current-year rank)
- Heavy enforcement along PCH, Hawthorne Boulevard, and I-405/I-110 corridor
- DUI checkpoints conducted during holidays and high-risk enforcement periods
- CHP Southern Division also patrols Torrance freeways
Who prosecutes a Torrance DUI — and where
This is the Torrance difference. A misdemeanor DUI arrested in Torrance is prosecuted by the Torrance City Attorney (DRAFT — verify), not the LA County District Attorney. The City Attorney's office, located at 3031 Torrance Boulevard, handles its own DUI cases and municipal code enforcement. Felony DUI cases — such as a DUI causing injury or involving a death — are forwarded to the LA County DA. All Torrance DUI cases, misdemeanor and felony alike, are heard at the Torrance Courthouse, 825 Maple Avenue, part of the LA Superior Court's Southwest District.
Who prosecutes my Torrance DUI — the city attorney or the DA?
Where will my Torrance DUI case be heard?
Does the Torrance Police Department do a lot of DUI enforcement?
What if my DUI is a felony?
How long do I have to save my license?
← Back to Los Angeles County DUI Defense
Ron defends DUI cases across Southern California from his Irvine office — and works directly with you, not a call center.
Learn more about Ron Chini →