DUI Lawyer Alhambra. DUI law in Alhambra is complex. You're not just facing the loss of your license; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you don't want to be alone. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you.
We are CA's leading DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Alhambra, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Call 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start constructing your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Alhambra?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you don't blow at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, probably using field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on your performance.
As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. In the meantime, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. In the interim, your Alhambra DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Alhambra prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case proceeds, you may face penalties. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, we may be able to help you clean your record.
Our DUI legal experts can help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. For advice on any stage with your charges, give us a call so that we can help!
Alhambra DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Alhambra, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the DMV case. These are handled separately by the state, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and ways we defend your liberty and license:
Alhambra, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we provide expert defense and push back against the supposed wrongdoing. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can show you are not guilty.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time. Frequently, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Alhambra, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Alhambra criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Alhambra DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after an arrest.
Alhambra DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be trying to avoid, depending on how exactly your charged and your history:
| Alleged DUI Offense | Jail/Prison Time | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| First Time DUI | 48 Hours to 6 Months | Up to $1,000 |
| Second Time DUI | 96 Hours to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| Third Time DUI | 120 Days to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| Fourth Time DUI (Felony) | 16 Months to 3 Years | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Injury (Misdemeanor) | Up to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Injury (Felony) | Up to 4 Years | Up to $5,000 |
| DUI Manslaughter (Misdemeanor) | Up to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Manslaughter (Felony) | 4, 6 or 10 Years | Up to $10,000 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a chance to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
Up against DUI charges? It's crucial to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the abilities, experience, and connections to secure a positive outcome for your case. The top Alhambra, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. Our lines are never off, and you can contact us 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Alhambra and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in CA.
- Track Record of Success: Regardless of all of the points above, you want someone who knows how to get a positive outcome for your case. And we have a history of doing just that. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Alhambra
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Alhambra, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to battle against the charges.
Below are some of the DUI allegations we often defend:
- Boating Under the Influence
- Breathalyzer Test
- Commercial Driver CDL DUI
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disturbing the Peace
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving Without a License
- Driving Without Insurance
- Drug DUI
- Drunk in Public
- DUI Alcohol
- DUI and Professional Licenses in California
- DUI Blood Test Defense
- DUI Causing Injury
- DUI Checkpoint Defense Attorney
- DUI Defense Costs
- DUI Expungement in California
- DUI Immigration Consequences
- DUI License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Penalties
- DUI with Child Passenger
- Evasion
- Exhibition of Speed
- Felony DUI
- Field Sobriety Tests
- First-Time DUI
- Fourth DUI Felony Escalation
- Hit and Run
- Hit and Run DUI
- Hit and Run with Injury or Death
- Ignition Interlock Device Violations
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
Timing is Critical – Contact Our Alhambra DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
When you're up against Alhambra DUI charges, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. The police officer takes your license, you might be interrogated, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. With everything going on, your best way out is to contact a DUI defense attorney right away.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Alhambra, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case now and will begin protecting your license and your rights right away. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Alhambra, CA:
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