DUI Lawyer Carson. DUI law in Carson is complex. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you don't want to be alone. 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 here to defend you.
We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to defend your rights in the Carson, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Call anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Carson?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you aren't tested at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, probably via field sobriety tests, then arrest you 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. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. Meanwhile, the police are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. In the meantime, your Carson DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Carson prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be preparing 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 how your case proceeds, you may face some form of sentence. 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 out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. For advice on any stage with your charges, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Carson DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Carson, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the license suspension. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and how we fight to protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Carson, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
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 provide expert defense and attack the allegations. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can tell a different story.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Carson do not receive any jail sentence. 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.
Carson, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and 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, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, the hearing is to determine if 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. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Carson DUI defense attorney right away after being arrested.
DUI Punishments in Carson
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be facing, 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 |
On top of whatever sentence you receive in Carson court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. However, your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible 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.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Carson: What You Need to Know
When you're facing DUI charges, it's essential to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the skills, history, and connections to secure a positive outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Carson, CA, look for these signs:
- 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 over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Carson and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. 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 CA.
- 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 want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Carson
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Carson, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to battle against the charges.
Here are some of the DUI case types 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 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
Don't Wait – Contact Our Carson DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to call a DUI defense lawyer immediately.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Carson, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense now and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail as soon as you call. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Carson, CA:
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