DUI Lawyer Cathedral City. If you're up against a DUI in Cathedral City, it can feel overwhelming. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. If you declined to take an alcohol test, you can face separate charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
If you find yourself in this situation, 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 decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to defend your rights in the Cathedral City, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
If you want to build an effective defense, you need to act now. Call today at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start putting together your defense strategy today.
Cathedral City, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but even if you've done nothing wrong, you need to know how to navigate the situation. Below are four tips from a Cathedral City, CA, DUI Lawyer for you which can protect you from arrests and charges:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
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. When you're already prepared to give them to the officer, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
If either the officer alleges that they smell alcohol, or you can smell alcohol yourself, don't answer any questions. You have the right to remain silent at all points in the legal process. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.
Tip #3: Don't Participate in Field Sobriety Tests, Unless Required
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, 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: Don't Argue With the Officer
Being rude won't help — it will come back to bite you. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, though; it also helps your defense: If you try to talk back or argue with the officer, you are giving the police more evidence, and depending on what you do, it could make you appear intoxicated.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Cathedral City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you don't undergo any tests at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, likely with field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on how you do.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. Most DUI cases in Cathedral City, CA, follow this progression:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can go into effect at the time of the arrest – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. Meanwhile, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will read out the allegations that you are formally being charged with.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: Most people accused of DUIs in Cathedral City, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. In the interim, your Cathedral City DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Alongside pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Cathedral City prosecutor to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Most DUI cases won't go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, 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 provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and bureaucratic side. If you need help today, give us a call so that we can help!
Cathedral City, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Cathedral City, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the administrative 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 ways we defend your freedom and right to drive:
Cathedral City, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, for which you will need to go through the CA legal system.
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 discredit the supposed wrongdoing. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, demonstrate any present errors in the police officer's judgement, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and look for witness testimony and other proof that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Cathedral City, CA, clients from jail time. Frequently, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also avoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Cathedral City, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and to effectively fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
In many cases, the status of your criminal case doesn't have a huge impact on the DMV hearing. In fact, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, the hearing is to determine if 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 us, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Cathedral City DUI defense attorney immediately after an arrest.
Punishments After a DUI Conviction in Cathedral City, CA
Cathedral City, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – though you could 'only' be facing misdemeanors, you could still be sentenced to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be looking to avoid, depending on the allegations you're facing:
| Formal DUI 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 elevated insurance costs and impacts on your employment.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be devastating. 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 you have faced DUI charges before, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI conviction will qualify an immigrant for deportation. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Cathedral City, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. 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 that can protect you from a conviction, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, you're liking looking forward to putting this all behind you. However, your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Our Cathedral City, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Cathedral City, CA DUI Attorney
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's key to pick the right lawyer to defend your innocence. Your team needs the skills, background, and ties to secure a positive outcome for your case. When you speak with Cathedral City, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI lawyers have previous experience as judges, district attorneys, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Cathedral City and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Having a good reputation as someone who secures positive outcomes for clients is essential. We are proud of our reputation with former clients and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: Winners win. It's as simple as that. And we win, a lot. 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 Cathedral City
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Cathedral City, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared stand by you against the charges.
This is a list of the DUI charges 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
DUI Defense Strategies in Cathedral City, CA
Whatever type of charge you're facing, our Cathedral City, CA, DUI attorneys can help you fight it. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Challenge the Legality of the Arrest
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, we can challenge the evidence, and even the legitimacy of the case itself. 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 Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
If your case is centered on a BAC test that put you over the legal limit, that can sound impossible to overcome. But it isn't. We will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, push for tests to be redone, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are often used by officers to evaluate whether someone is impaired or not. But ultimately, these are judgment calls on the part of the officer. An experienced Cathedral City, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records and look for expert analysis that will show your performance in a more favorable light.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
It's easy to feel like you're out of options if you were tested and your BAC was over the legal limit. This may sound bad, but you do still have viable defense strategies. 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.
Timing is Critical – Speak With Our Cathedral City DUI Defense Lawyers AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Cathedral City, CA, things move pretty fast. Your license disappears, you might be interrogated, you're assigned a court date…it's easy to be lost. What you need to do is call a DUI defense lawyer immediately.
Don't let the state decide how your case will go. Don't let your license go without a fight. 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 Cathedral City, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense right now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights immediately. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Cathedral City, CA:
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