DUI Lawyer Diamond Bar. Diamond Bar DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; 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 there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to protect you in the Diamond Bar, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Diamond Bar?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or if you aren't tested at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, likely utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on your performance.
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 begin as soon as you're arrested – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. Meanwhile, they are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, 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 Diamond Bar DUI defense lawyer will file pretrial potions, likely including some to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will communicate with the Diamond Bar prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case turns out, 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 out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, give us a call so that we can help!
Defending Against Diamond Bar DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Diamond Bar, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and ways we defend your freedom and driving privileges:
Diamond Bar, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – 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 protect your rights and attack the allegations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can show you are not guilty.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Diamond Bar do not receive any jail sentence. In many cases, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoavoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Diamond Bar, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Diamond Bar DUI charge is the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and if you want 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 outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Diamond Bar DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after an arrest.
Diamond Bar DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – while many are considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be facing, 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 rising insurance rates and barriers between you and professional licenses.
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 doesn't go away easily. 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.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Diamond Bar: What You Need to Know
No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, it's important to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the expertise, experience, and relationships to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Diamond Bar, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- 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 police, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Diamond Bar 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 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 in Diamond Bar
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Diamond Bar, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared for the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI case types 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
Start Your Defense Today – Contact Our Diamond Bar DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
After a DUI arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be out of control. And that's why it's all the more important to hire a DUI defense attorney right away.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. 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 defend you.
We're experts at defending all Diamond Bar, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case right now and will begin protecting your license and your rights immediately. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Diamond Bar, CA:
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