DUI Lawyer Chatsworth. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. You're being accused of a crime; depending on your history, you could go to prison. In California, you're required to participate in DUI tests if you're driving. Refusal to do so is another crime, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you've been accused of a DUI in Chatsworth, CA, you should consult with an expert to find your best path forward. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is just a call away in Chatsworth, CA.
We are California's premier DUI defense lawyers and decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you retain us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to operate the Chatsworth, 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 now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense strategy today.
Chatsworth, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Traffic police are just a part of driving. It's not exciting, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Below are four tips from a Chatsworth, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to help you get through any traffic stops unscathed:
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. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. But if you already have them ready, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Be Silent When 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 any form of questioning. Protect yourself by keeping quiet until your lawyer arrives.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
In California, field sobriety tests are voluntary unless you are under the age of 21 or are on probation. The officer may not like it, but they can't compel you to participate. However, if you have been arrested and refuse a blood or breath test, your license will be suspended.
Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Being rude 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 aids your defense: If you try to talk back or argue with the officer, you are giving the police more evidence, which may help justify an arrest.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Chatsworth?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, 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, likely through field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on their evaluation of you.
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 can start the minute the officer arrests you – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. While you're proceeding through the system, they are ensuring that the arrest is added to your DMV record, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, 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 need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. Between your potential release and the trial, your Chatsworth DUI defense lawyer will building the framework of your defense and filing motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have another test run on your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the Chatsworth prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if that doesn't work, your attorney should be crafting a strategy 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 turns out, you may face sanctions. 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 out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and license side. If you're facing a potential conviction, you can start with a call to our offices!
DUIs in Chatsworth, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Chatsworth, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the administrative case. These will never be handled in the same hearing, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI defense lawyers will fight both.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and what our attorneys will do for your liberty and ability to drive:
Chatsworth, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To protect yourself against the allegations, you'll need to fight in the Chatsworth, CA, legal system.
Most of the steps in a DUI criminal case are identical to that of another criminal charge – 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 present reasonable doubt and dissect the supposed wrongdoing. We'll examine the lawfulness 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 evidence that can tell a different story.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time in Chatsworth, CA. For several cases, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also search for a deal that protects your freedom and avoids any jail sentence.
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 being arrested.
It's typical for the criminal case to be, by and large, separate from the DMV hearing. 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. These hearings have serious consequences that require an expert Chatsworth, CA, DUI lawyer to navigate. At the hearing, we'll argue over the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you waited too long and it's past the deadline to request a hearing, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's essential to contact a Chatsworth DUI defense attorney immediately after the arrest.
DUI Punishments in Chatsworth
Chatsworth, 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.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be looking 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and career setbacks.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. If this is the first time you've been accused of driving under the influence, you probably won't face removal proceedings. The bad news is that if certain circumstances apply, like DUIs causing injury or repeat offenses, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI will become grounds for deportation. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can set your efforts back by several years.
If any of the above situations apply to you, don't panic: Call one of our Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyers to get immediate help. 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 to protect your record, fight to keep you in the country, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. However, 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 Chatsworth, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a way to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's vital to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the expertise, background, and ties to give you opportunities for a positive outcome for your case. The top Chatsworth, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: Experience gives your attorney knowledge on how to win these cases. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you will work with a team of attorneys including former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Chatsworth 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 California.
- 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. If you're ready to join our list of successes, call now.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Chatsworth
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Chatsworth, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared help you navigate the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI allegations we commonly 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 Chatsworth, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Chatsworth, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. Choosing the correct defense for your particular circumstances is essential in finding the best possible outcome. Below are some of the most effective ones.
Contest the Legality of the Traffic Stop
The police need to follow rules when initiating a traffic stop and investigating a potential DUI. If they broke those rules, you might be able to secure a dismissal of the charges. This defense is relevant if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.
Flaws in BAC Tests
If you were arrested and given a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test, that can be the center of the prosecution's case. Our team will investigate whether or not the procedure was followed when administering the tests, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and look for any issues in how the evidence was handled.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are a typical part of any traffic stop that turns into a DUI investigation. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. We will examine the evidence 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. While properly conducted BAC tests are hard to disprove, there are still ways to fight it. 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 Rapid Assistance – Talk To Our Chatsworth DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
Chatsworth, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. You can't drive anymore, there could be interrogations, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel stressed out. And that's why it's all the more important to get in touch with a DUI defense lawyer now.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't try to handle it on your own. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to represent you.
We're experts at defending all Chatsworth, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case immediately and will work on a strategy to defend your license and searching for positive outcomes immediately. Talk to one of our team members now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a no strings attached consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Chatsworth, CA:
Payment Plans
