DUI Lawyer Chatsworth. If you're up against a DUI in Chatsworth, it can feel overwhelming. You're not just facing the loss of your license; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need someone in your corner. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to defend your freedom.
We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you hire us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to protect you in the Chatsworth, CA, legal system and get you the best outcome possible.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Reach out anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Chatsworth?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you don't blow at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, likely via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on your performance.
Once this happens, 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 can begin as soon as you're arrested – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. In the meantime, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Chatsworth DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Chatsworth prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges 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 sanctions. 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 administrative side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Chatsworth DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Chatsworth, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the DMV case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and ways we defend your freedom and license:
Chatsworth, 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 – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and fight against the supposed wrongdoing. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can show you are not guilty.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Chatsworth do not receive any jail sentence. For several cases, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.
Chatsworth, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension doesn't wait for your criminal case, and in order 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, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. 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 blow, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, 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, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Chatsworth DUI defense attorney immediately after an arrest.
DUI Punishments in Chatsworth
CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – while many are considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be trying to avoid, depending on how exactly your charged and your history:
| 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 Chatsworth court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums 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, you may be eligible 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 Chatsworth: What You Need to Know
Up against DUI charges? It's important to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the abilities, history, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Chatsworth, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- 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: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Chatsworth 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 CA.
- 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. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Chatsworth
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Chatsworth, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to defend you against the charges.
Below are some of the DUI case types 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
Start Your Defense Today – Contact Our Chatsworth DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
When you're up against Chatsworth DUI charges, it feels like there's no space to breathe. The police officer takes your license, they might try to do additional tests, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. And that's why it's all the more important to hire a DUI defense attorney immediately.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't wait and realize that it's suddenly too late. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Chatsworth, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case right now and will start safeguarding your license and your freedom right away. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Chatsworth, CA:
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