DUI Lawyer Beaumont. Beaumont DUI charges are very serious. You're being accused of a crime; if you're facing years in prison for a repeat offense, your car is the least of your worries. If you declined to take an alcohol test, you can face separate charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And it doesn't matter if it was alcohol, marijuana, or another substance affecting your ability to drive.
If you find yourself in this situation, you shouldn't need to do this without help. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you choose us, you're getting a team of experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to defend your rights in the Beaumont, CA, justice system and get you the best outcome possible.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Speak with one of our attorneys now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start building your case's defense today.
Beaumont, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Below are four tips from a Beaumont, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. Dropping them or failing to find them could just be a result of stress, but it can give the impression that you're impaired. But if you don't need to search for them, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
You aren't required to answer any questions if the officer says that they smell alcohol. You have the right to remain silent during the entirety of your interactions with the law. Don't talk without an attorney present.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. Refusing won't force the officer to let you go, but on its own, there aren't any penalties for refusing. However, this isn't the case for every test; if you're already in custody and are asked to perform a breath or blood based test, California law does require you to participate.
Tip #4: Treat the Officer Respectfully
Resisting the police won't improve your case — it will likely be something you regret. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also helps your defense: Any time you open your mouth, whether or not the police asked you a question, you are giving the police more evidence, which can be used against you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Beaumont?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, or even if you aren't tested at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, probably utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on your performance.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for 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 begin as soon as you're arrested – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. While you're processing this, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: Sometime after arriving at the police station, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Independant of the criminal charge process, you'll need to start fighting for your license right away. This starts with arranging a DMV hearing, which you need to do within 10 days.
- Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. In the meantime, your Beaumont DUI defense expert 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: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will bargain with the Beaumont prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Outside of extraordinary circumstances, it's rare for a DUI case to go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, 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 fight any allegation, on both the criminal defense and bureaucratic side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, you can start with a call to our offices!
DUIs in Beaumont, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Beaumont, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the DMV case. This will always require two separate defenses, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are descriptions of both case categories, and our process for defending your justice and ability to drive:
Beaumont, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
If you're familiar with the process of other criminal charges, DUI cases follow the same format – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we present reasonable doubt and fight against the allegations. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, display flaws in the officer's analysis, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and hunt for other evidence that can present an alternate narrative.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Beaumont, CA. For many clients, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also search for a deal that protects your freedom and avoids any jail sentence.
Beaumont, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Beaumont criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension doesn't wait for your criminal case, and to successfully 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, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. Instead, the focus of this hearing is whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused BAC tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
After ten days, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's essential to contact a Beaumont DUI defense attorney immediately after an arrest.
DUI Punishments in Beaumont
Beaumont, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while many are considered misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, you can read through the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| DUI Criminal Charge | 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 increased insurance premiums and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be devastating. The good news is that, currently, a first-time DUI is generally not grounds for removal. The bad news is that if something made this allegation more serious, like an injured bystander, 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. If you are trying to become an American citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
If any of the above situations apply to you, don't panic: Call one of our Beaumont, CA, immigration lawyers to get immediate help. 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 with alternatives to criminal sentencing, represent you at deportation hearings, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether your case ends in a conviction or an acquittal, you're liking looking forward to putting this all behind you. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Fortunately, if you're in Beaumont, CA, our DUI lawyers will also fight to protect you in this way, and give you a chance to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Beaumont: What You Need to Know
Up against DUI charges? It's key to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the abilities, experience, and ties to find the best outcome for your case. When evaluating DUI lawyers in Beaumont, CA, you want to judge the following:
- Experience: Experience gives your attorney knowledge on how to win these cases. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, district attorneys, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
- Relationships: When your lawyer knows the district attorney you're up against, they'll use that to your advantage. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Beaumont and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: You don't want to trust your case to someone who doesn't know how to win it. Our attorneys do. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. If you're ready to join our list of successes, call now.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Beaumont
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Beaumont, CA – all of our DUI defense attorneys are prepared for the charges.
Here are some of the DUI cases we typically 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 Accident Defense
- 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 in Construction Zones and School Zones
- DUI License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Process – What to Expect
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Trial – Jury Trial Defense
- 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
- Illegal Traffic Stop – Probable Cause Defense
- Medical Conditions as a Defense to DUI
- Misdemeanor vs Felony DUI Overview
- Mouth Alcohol Defense to DUI
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Rising Blood Alcohol Defense
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Title 17 Violation of Breath and Blood Test Procedures Defense
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
DUI Defense Tactics in Beaumont, CA
Every DUI case needs a defensive strategy, and our Beaumont, CA DUI defense lawyers are here to help you find the right one. Choosing the correct defense for your particular circumstances is essential in finding the best possible outcome. Below are some of the most effective ones.
Challenge the Legality of the Arrest
If the arresting officer failed to obey the rules for investigating a DUI, we can argue for your case to be dismissed. This defense could be used if, for example, the police officer pulled you over without probable cause, the entire traffic stop could be made invalid.
Show Issues With Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
Fighting against chemical tests can be difficult, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will know how to look for flaws in them. Our team will look into any issues with how the equipment was stored or used, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and analyze the state's case to see if there was an error made in how your evidence was processed.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are a widely-recognized way of evaluating somebody's level of impairment. But these tests are subjective. We will audit the test records and provide alternate explanations for your performance.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Maybe there were no mistakes with your blood, breath, or urine test, and your BAC was over the legal limit. While this is can be difficult to overcome, it's not the end of your case. If you have certain medical conditions, those can cause false positives. For example, some inhalers can artificially raise the amount of alcohol in your breath, depending on how they are used.
Get Immediate Help – Speak With Our Beaumont DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Beaumont, CA, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. You lose your license, you could find yourself in an interrogation room, you're assigned a court date…it's easy to be lost. Your path forward begins when you contact aBeaumont, CA, DUI lawyer now.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't lose your ability to drive without a fight. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Beaumont, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense immediately and will start safeguarding your license and keep you out of jail as soon as you call. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a no strings attached case review.
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