DUI Lawyer Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills DUI charges are very serious. You're not just facing the loss of your license; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and the consequences you face might be even worse than a DUI conviction. And fighting against a DUI case involving drugs is very different than fighting against a DUI involving alcohol.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need someone in your corner. Trying to defeat the allegations is a fight that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.
We are California's top DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you work with us, you're getting a team of experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to fight for you in the Beverly Hills, CA, judicial system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Get a hold of us today at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start constructing your defense today.
Beverly Hills, 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. Here are four tips from a Beverly Hills, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to help you get through any traffic stops unscathed:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. By keeping these documents on hand, 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 Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Call your DUI lawyer and stay quiet until they arrive.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
The state of California only legally requires drivers to participate in field sobriety tests if they are either under the age of 21, or are on probation. If you haven't been arrested, you can decline to participate. However, California does require individuals to participate in in blood and breath tests after they've been arrested, and refusing in these circumstances will lead to an automatic license suspension.
Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't help — it will likely be something you regret. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also benefits your defense: By acting out or arguing, you are giving the police more evidence, which may come back up later in court.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Beverly Hills?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you aren't tested at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, generally through field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on how you do.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and you will lose your regular license (at least for now). While you're proceeding through the system, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will be summoned to a court hearing, and a prosecutor will list out the laws you're accused of breaking.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: Most people accused of DUIs in Beverly Hills, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. Meanwhile, your Beverly Hills DUI defense expert will file pretrial motions, likely including some to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have another test run on your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will bargain with the Beverly Hills prosecutor to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. 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 if it reaches that point, we'll have a staunch defense ready for you.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case turns out, you may face a punishment. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, it's possible that your record will be eligible for sealing.
Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and bureaucratic side. Whether you've just been arrested or are on the eve of your trial (or anywhere in-between), our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Beverly Hills DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI charges are special because of their dual-nature: The criminal case and the license suspension. These will never be handled in the same hearing, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are important factors for both case types, and ways we defend your justice and ability to drive:
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. And that means you'll have to go to Beverly Hills, CA, court.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and dissect the allegations. We'll argue whether the police had the justification needed to pull you over, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and see if there's anything the police missed that can show the events in a more favorable light.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Beverly Hills, CA, clients from jail time. Often, we'll plea bargain for a reduction of the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also work to give you an alternative to jail, in the form of probation.
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry 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.
It's typical for the criminal case to be, by and large, separate from the DMV hearing. 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 lawfully 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 work with a Beverly Hills, CA, DUI lawyer from our firm, we'll work to undermine the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license back immediately. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's essential to contact a Beverly Hills DUI defense attorney right away after the traffic stop.
Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Beverly Hills, CA
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while some are 'just' 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 allegations you're facing:
| 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.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. On the bright side, most first-time DUIs at this time will not result in deportation. 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 currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can count against your "good moral character," which you need to establish before becoming a citizen.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a Beverly Hills, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you can rest assured that our lawyers can guide you through both your criminal case and your citizenship process: We'll explore diversion programs with alternatives to criminal sentencing, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and assist you with the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether your case ends in a conviction or an acquittal, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. The bad news is that your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A Beverly Hills, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a path to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Beverly Hills: What You Need to Know
Defending yourself against a DUI in Beverly Hills? It's essential to pick the right lawyer to take your case. Your team needs the abilities, background, and ties to secure a positive outcome for your case. When evaluating DUI lawyers in Beverly Hills, CA, you want to judge the following:
- Experience: If possible, both defending against charges and as government agents. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you will work with a team of attorneys including former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our offices are always available if you need to talk 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Beverly Hills and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is proud to have received top ratings from several legal evaluators and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- 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 Take On in Beverly Hills
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Beverly Hills, CA – all of our DUI defense attorneys are prepared to battle against the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI cases 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
DUI Defense Tactics in Beverly Hills, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Beverly Hills, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Challenge the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If the arresting officer failed to obey the rules for investigating a DUI, you might be able to secure a dismissal of the charges. This defense is relevant if, for example, the officer did not observe you for the full 15-minute period required before asking you to take a breath test.
Flaws in BAC Tests
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. We will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, retest when possible, and look for any issues in how the evidence was handled.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' 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
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. Even though this is harder to fight, we won't give up yet. If you have a respiratory ailment, or another medical condition, that could impact how the breathalyzer measures your BAC, we will use that as a part of your defense.
Get Rapid Assistance – Speak With Our Beverly Hills DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
When you're up against Beverly Hills DUI charges, it feels like there's no space to breathe. You can't drive anymore, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you get a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. Your path forward begins when you call aBeverly Hills, CA, DUI lawyer now.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. 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 Beverly Hills, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense fast and will can fight for your license and your freedom immediately. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free, confidential consultation.
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