DUI Lawyer Century City. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. 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 by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If the Century City, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you should consult with an expert to find your best path forward. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a battle you need a team behind you 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 choose us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to defend your rights in the Century City, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get a hold of us as soon as possible at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start constructing your case's defense today.
Century City, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Traffic police are just a part of driving. It's not exciting, but knowing how to handle the situation is important for all Century City, CA, residents. Here are four tips from a Century City, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. If police see you fumbling as you try to gather these documents, they could think that you've been drinking. But if you already have them ready, 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 Fifth Amendment protections during any form of questioning. Don't talk without an attorney present.
Tip #3: Don't Participate in Field Sobriety Tests, Unless Required
In California, field sobriety tests are voluntary unless you are under the age of 21 or are 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: Don't Argue With the Officer
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't improve your case — it will increase your chances of getting in trouble. This is about more than just avoiding an arrest in the short term; it also benefits your defense: By acting out or arguing, you are giving the police more evidence, which could contribute to their probable cause to arrest you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Century City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal 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 via field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on the results.
If you've been placed under arrest, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. While you're processing this, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will list out the laws you're accused of breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Even though you might feel overwhelmed by the criminal charges, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: It's possible to be held in jail before your trial, but that's not very likely in DUI cases. Meanwhile, your Century City DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to throw out illegal evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the Century City prosecutor to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be refining a defense strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will go to trial, but we don't count on that possibility and will be ready 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 driver's license side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, give us a call so that we can help!
Century City, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Century 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 both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are important factors for both case types, and our process for defending your freedom and right to drive:
Century City, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. And that means you'll have to go to Century City, CA, court.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – charges are formally filed against you, you'll probably be given bail and/or conditions of release, then your attorney will proceed with pretrial motions and negotiations. It's unlikely (but possible) that you'll reach a trial at some stage.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we present reasonable doubt and discredit the charges. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can show you are not guilty.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time in Century City, CA. Commonly, 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.
Century 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 successfully fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, even if you secure a plea deal for a reduced charge, that won't (directly) affect your license suspension. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not you were legitimately 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 argue over the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to request that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Century City DUI defense attorney right away after the arrest.
Century City DUI Sentences and Consequences
Century City, CA, DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – even though some are 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 looking to avoid, depending on how exactly your charged and your history:
| 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 rising insurance rates and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be devastating. If this is your first DUI, the good news is that you will likely be able to stay in the country. 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 conviction will qualify an immigrant for deportation. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, 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 Century 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 will protect you from the harshest outcomes, fight against removal proceedings, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found innocent or not, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record won't go away on its own. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. A Century City, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a way to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Century City, CA DUI Attorney
When you're facing DUI charges, it's crucial to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the abilities, background, and connections to offer the best possible outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Century City, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: Experience gives your attorney knowledge on how to win these cases. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team that has former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than five decades of experience handling cases.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Century City 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 want to work with an attorney who has successfully fought DUI charges in the past. We have. 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 Fight in Century City
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Century City, CA – all of our DUI defense attorneys are prepared help you navigate 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 Tactics in Century City, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your Century City, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. 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 law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense could be used if, for example, the officer did not observe you for the full 15-minute period required before asking you to take a breath test.
Show Issues With BAC Tests
Chemical tests that measure the amount of alcohol in your blood, breath, or urine are strong evidence, but are not infallible. We will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are standard practice for police officers to use. But these tests are subjective. An experienced Century City, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
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 we won't give up yet. 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 – Call Our Century City DUI Defense Lawyers AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Century City, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. Your license is suspended, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel stressed out. And that's why it's all the more important to contact a DUI defense attorney right away.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. 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 defend you.
We're experts at defending all Century City, CA DUI charges. We're standing by to answer your call today and will start safeguarding your license and your liberty right away. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a no-obligation consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Century City, CA:
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