DUI Lawyer Commerce. Commerce DUI charges are very serious. You're not just facing the loss of your license; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you don't want to be alone. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to fight for your rights.
We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of former prosecutors who know how to defend your rights in the Commerce, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Reach out now at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start constructing your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Commerce?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal 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 utilizing field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on that.
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 the police will take away your existing license. Meanwhile, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. In the meantime, your Commerce DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Commerce prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case turns out, you may face some form of sentence. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, it's possible that your record will be eligible for sealing.
Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. For advice on any stage with your charges, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Commerce DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Commerce, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the license suspension. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and ways we defend your freedom and ability to drive:
Commerce, 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 – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pre-trial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we provide expert defense and push back against the charges. 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 look for evidence that can exonerate you.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Commerce do not receive any jail sentence. Frequently, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.
Commerce, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Commerce DUI charge is 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, 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 BAC tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll fight 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 schedule that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Commerce DUI defense lawyer immediately after an arrest.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Commerce
CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – while many are considered misdemeanors, it's possible to receive 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and barriers between you and professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
Up against DUI charges? It's crucial to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the skills, practice, and connections to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Commerce, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team that has former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Commerce and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. We're proud to have received numerous accolades 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 want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Commerce
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Commerce, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to defend you against the charges.
Below are some of the DUI case types 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
Don't Wait – Contact Our Commerce DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license disappears, they might try to do additional tests, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to contact an attorney immediately.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Commerce, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights immediately. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Commerce, CA:
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