DUI Lawyer Concord. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. This isn't just an administrative issue; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. If you declined to take an alcohol test, you can face separate charges, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And fighting against a DUI case involving drugs is very different than fighting against a DUI involving alcohol.
If the Concord, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you shouldn't need to do this without help. Trying to defeat the allegations is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to defend you.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience. When you work with us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to protect you in the Concord, CA, judicial system and get you the best outcome possible.
If you wait too long to build a defense, it could become too late. Get in touch without delay at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start preparing your defense strategy today.
Concord, 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. Below are four tips from a Concord, CA, DUI Lawyer for you which can protect you from arrests and charges:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
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. By following this tip, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. You have Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.
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. The officer may not like it, but they can't compel you to participate. 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
Being rude won't improve your case — it will make things worse. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also helps your defense: When you resist or act disrespectfully, you are giving the police more evidence, which may help justify an arrest.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Concord?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, or even if you don't undergo any tests at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, generally utilizing field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. Most DUI cases in Concord, CA, follow this progression:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. While you're processing this, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: Even though you might feel overwhelmed by the criminal charges, you'll have just 10 days to begin the process of protecting your license.
- Pretrial Motions: It's possible to be held in jail before your trial, but that's not very likely in DUI cases. In the interim, your Concord DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to reexamine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Alongside pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Concord prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the result of your case, you may face consequences. 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 help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. Whether you've just been arrested or are on the eve of your trial (or anywhere in-between), our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Defending Against Concord DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Concord, CA, DUI charges require particular expertise because there are two sides that each need to be defended: The criminal case and the DMV case. These are handled separately by the state, but a leading DUI defense attorney from our offices will fight for you in both cases.
Here are descriptions of both case categories, and ways we defend your liberty and ability to drive:
Concord, 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.
Most of the steps in a DUI criminal case are identical to that of another 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 listen to your side of the story and push back against the accusations. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, demonstrate any present errors in the police officer's judgement, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and look for witness testimony and other proof that can show you are not guilty.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Concord, CA, clients from jail time. In many cases, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also avoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Concord, 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 automatically applied, and to effectively fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
In many cases, the status of your criminal case doesn't have a huge impact on the DMV hearing. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. 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. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, you're out of options. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Concord DUI defense attorney immediately after being arrested.
Concord DUI Sentences and Consequences
Concord, CA, DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – though you could 'only' be facing misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be looking to avoid, depending on what your charges are:
| DUI Criminal 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 |
Beyond any sentence that a judge in Concord, CA, sentences you to, you also need to worry about collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can turn your world upside down. 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 will become grounds for deportation. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it hurts your application process.
If any of the above situations apply to you, don't panic: Call one of our Concord, CA, immigration lawyers to get immediate help. 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 can protect you from a conviction, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. However, your arrest and/or criminal record won't go away on its own. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Our Concord, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a chance to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Concord: What You Need to Know
Accused of a DUI in Concord? It is crucial to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the proficiency, practice, and connections to offer the best possible outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Concord, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI lawyers have previous experience as judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling over five decades of experience with the law.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. Our team will leverage our connections with the prosecutors in Concord and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. We are proud to be respected amongst our peers 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 Defend Against in Concord
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Concord, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to battle against the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI cases 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
DUI Defense Strategies in Concord, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Concord, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Challenge the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense is a good option 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 Chemical Tests
If you were arrested and given a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test, that can be the center of the prosecution's case. We will look into any issues with how the equipment was stored or used, re-examine the evidence to look for alternate explanations, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are standard practice for police officers to use. But you can still challenge them – they are not ironclad proof of guilt. We will audit the test records and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Perhaps the officer properly conducted a breathalyzer test, and your BAC was over the legal limit. Even though this is harder to fight, it's not the end of your case. If you have a respiratory ailment, or another medical condition, that could impact how the breathalyzer measures your BAC, we will use that as a part of your defense.
Timing is Critical – Talk To Our Concord DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. Your license disappears, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel lost. With everything going on, your best way out is to hire aConcord, CA, DUI lawyer immediately.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. 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 protect you.
We're experts at defending all Concord, CA DUI charges. We're available to help now and will work on a strategy to defend your license and searching for positive outcomes today. Talk to one of our team members now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a no-obligation case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Concord, CA:
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