DUI Lawyer Chatsworth. DUI law in Chatsworth is complex. You're being accused of a crime; 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 the consequences you face might be even worse than a DUI conviction. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
Regardless of whether you're innocent or not, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a problem you shouldn't have to solve without help, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any DUI charges in Chatsworth, CA.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you choose us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to fight for you in the Chatsworth, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Talk to a lawyer today at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start preparing your defense strategy today.
Chatsworth, 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 Chatsworth, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. If police see you fumbling as you try to gather these documents, they could think that you've been drinking. When you're already prepared to give them to the officer, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
If there's a scent of alcohol on your person or in your vehicle, don't talk. You have Fifth Amendment protections during the entirety of your interactions with the law. Protect yourself by keeping quiet until your lawyer arrives.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
California does not require the majority of people to participate in field sobriety tests, and in fact, you can often refuse without penalty. The two main exceptions are if you are under the age of 21, and/or if you are on probation. You can still be arrested if the officer believes you've broken the law, but you're giving them less evidence this way. 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
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't help — it will come back to bite you. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also aids your defense: By acting out or arguing, you are giving the police more evidence, which can be used against you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Chatsworth?
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. The police can use other methods to determine whether or not you were safe to drive, often through field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on their evaluation of you.
Once you've been arrested, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as you're arrested – when arrested, 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, at which point, you're officially facing a license suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will be summoned to a court hearing, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Even though you might feel overwhelmed by the criminal charges, 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 interim, your Chatsworth DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Chatsworth prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be building a defense 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 how your case proceeds, 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 with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. If you're facing a potential conviction, give us a call so that we can help!
Chatsworth, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Chatsworth, CA, DUI charges require particular expertise because there are two sides that each need to be defended: The criminal case and the driver's case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are important factors for both case types, and how we fight to protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Chatsworth, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Most of the steps in a DUI criminal case are identical to that of another criminal charge – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pretrial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we protect your rights and dissect the supposed wrongdoing. We'll argue whether the police had the justification needed to pull you over, argue against he officer's observations, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time in Chatsworth, CA. Commonly, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Chatsworth, CA, DUI License Suspension
Even though the criminal charges may sound like the more serious matter, don't neglect the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is independent of the criminal case, and to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. 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 to cooperate when the officer tried to test you, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to request that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Chatsworth DUI defense lawyer immediately after being arrested.
Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Chatsworth, CA
Chatsworth, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – while some are 'just' misdemeanors, you could still be sentenced to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be looking to avoid, 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 |
Beyond the Chatsworth, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences are very serious. The good news is that, currently, a first-time DUI is generally not grounds for removal. 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.
Whether you are an immigrant citizen, are here on a work visa, or are anywhere in between, a Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyer can help you navigate the situation. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we don't stop at just defending you against the criminal charge: We'll explore diversion programs and plea deals that can keep a DUI off your record, represent you at deportation hearings, and assist you with the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found innocent or not, it's natural to want to move on and leave this in the past. It doesn't take long to realize, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. Our Chatsworth, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
When You're Picking a Chatsworth, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors
Up against DUI charges? It's crucial to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the expertise, practice, and contacts to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Chatsworth, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- 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 law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our offices are always available if you need to talk 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Chatsworth 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. With us, you can take advantage of a team that knows how to secure positive outcomes for our clients.
DUI Case Types We Fight in Chatsworth
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Chatsworth, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared for the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI case types we regularly 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 Strategies in Chatsworth, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your Chatsworth, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Challenge the Legitimacy of the Traffic Stop
If the officer didn't have probable cause to pull you over, or made an error when interviewing you, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. 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.
Flaws in Chemical 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 highlight the ways that these tests can give false readings, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and advocate for you during the discovery process to identify flaws in the state's evidence.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are a normal part of the process when police are evaluating if someone is driving intoxicated or not. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. We will examine the evidence and look for expert analysis that will show your performance in a more favorable light.
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 .08 or higher. Even though this is harder to fight, you do still have viable defense strategies. Medications and health conditions can create false positives – even just over-the-counter cold medicine often contain alcohol, which can linger in your mouth, impacting the test.
Get Immediate Help – Talk To Our Chatsworth DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
Chatsworth, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. The police officer takes your license, you could find yourself in an interrogation room, you get a court date…it's easy to feel lost. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to get in touch with a DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. 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 protect you.
We're experts at defending all Chatsworth, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense today and will can fight for your license and searching for positive outcomes immediately. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Chatsworth, CA:
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