DUI Lawyer Azusa. Azusa DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. California law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a fight that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to defend your freedom.
We are California's leading DUI defense lawyers and have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience. When you retain us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to protect you in the Azusa, CA, legal system and provide paths to positive outcomes.
If you wait too long to build a defense, it could become too late. Call today at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start crafting your defense today.
Azusa, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Traffic police are just a part of driving. It's not exciting, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Below are four tips from a Azusa, CA, DUI Lawyer for you which can protect you from arrests and charges:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
It's normal to be nervous after being pulled over and asked for your ID, registration, and insurance. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. By following this tip, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. You have Fifth Amendment protections during the entirety of your interactions with the law. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. You can still be arrested if the officer believes you've broken the law, but you're giving them less evidence this way. However, you can face consequences if you refuse a blood alcohol content test after you've been arrested.
Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Arguing with the officer won't help — it will likely be something you regret. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, though; it also benefits your defense: When you resist or act disrespectfully, you are giving the police more evidence, which may help justify an arrest.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Azusa?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or even if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, often through field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on their evaluation of you.
Once this happens, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. In the meantime, they are updating your records with the DMV to account for the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: Most people accused of DUIs in Azusa, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. In the interim, your Azusa DUI defense attorney will laying the groundwork of your defense through motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will communicate with the Azusa district attorney to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be creating a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not go to trial, but if it reaches that point, we'll have a staunch defense ready for you.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the result of your case, you may face a punishment. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you may be eligible to have your record sealed.
Our DUI legal experts can help you fight any allegation, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. No matter where you are in your case, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Azusa DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Azusa, CA, DUI charges require particular expertise because there are two sides that each need to be defended: The criminal case and the driver's case. These are handled separately by the state, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are descriptions of both case categories, and how we fight to protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Azusa, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pretrial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we present reasonable doubt and push back against the charges. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and see if there's anything the police missed that can result in a not guilty plea.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Azusa, CA. For several cases, we'll contact the district attorney on their behalf and negotiate a charge reduction, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also avoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Azusa, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Azusa criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect regardless of where you're at in the criminal process, and if you want to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
The criminal charges are not always relevant in the DMV hearing. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. 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 blow, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to request that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Azusa DUI defense lawyer immediately after being arrested.
Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Azusa, CA
Azusa, CA, DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – even though some are misdemeanors, it's possible to receive a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be fighting against, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| 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 |
Beyond the Azusa, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and impacts on your employment.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. The level of impact often depends on how many prior offenses are on your record. First-time alleged DUIs don't typically result in deportation. The bad news is that if certain circumstances apply, like DUIs causing injury or repeat offenses, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI will be put on the same level as serious felonies when it comes to immigration consequenceses. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
A DUI accusation doesn't have to end your time in the United States. You can get help from your Azusa, CA, immigration lawyer. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, can provide assistance with all of your legal needs, not just against criminal accusations: We'll explore diversion programs to protect your record, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. The bad news is 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 Azusa, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a way to clean your record.
When You're Picking a Azusa, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors
Accused of a DUI in Azusa? It is critical to pick the right lawyer to defend your innocence. Your team needs the talent, background, and contacts to give you opportunities for a positive outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Azusa, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and police officers, totalling over 50 years of experience handling cases.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. You can speak with one of our team members 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Azusa and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We are proud of our reputation with former clients and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: At the end of the day, results matter. And our results are great. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Fight in Azusa
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Azusa, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to defend you against the charges.
This is a list of the DUI charges we have experience defending:
- 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
DUI Defense Tactics in Azusa, CA
Every DUI case needs a defensive strategy, and our Azusa, CA DUI defense lawyers are here to help you find the right one. There is no one-size-fits-all defensive strategy against DUI allegations, but below, we've listed out some of the most effective ones.
Contest the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If the arresting officer failed to obey the rules for investigating a DUI, we can challenge the evidence, and even the legitimacy of the case itself. This defense is relevant if, for example, the police officer pulled you over without probable cause, the entire traffic stop could be made invalid.
Show Issues With Chemical Tests
If you were arrested and given a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test, that can be the center of the prosecution's case. We will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are a widely-recognized way of evaluating somebody's level of impairment. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. Our attorneys will review the footage and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
While the police can make mistakes with breathalyzer tests, most of the time they perform them properly. This could be bad news if you were tested and your BAC was over the legal limit. While this is can be difficult to overcome, it's not the end of your case. We can examine your diet and medical conditions to find alternative explanations.
Don't Wait – Contact Our Azusa DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Azusa, CA, things move pretty fast. You lose your license, you might be interrogated, you're given a court date…it's easy to be out of control. With everything going on, your best way out is to speak to a lawyer now.
Don't let the state decide how your case will go. Don't lose your ability to drive without a fight. Don't try to handle it on your own. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Azusa, CA DUI charges. We're standing by to answer your call fast and will start safeguarding your license and your liberty today. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a no strings attached consultation.
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