DUI Lawyer Dublin. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. This isn't just an administrative issue; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And fighting against a DUI case involving drugs is very different than fighting against a DUI involving alcohol.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to defend your freedom.
We are California'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 fight for you in the Dublin, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Talk to a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense today.
Dublin, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Here are four tips from a Dublin, CA, DUI Lawyer for you which can protect you from arrests and charges:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. With an officer staring you down, asking for documents you may not have had to touch in months, it's easy to get flustered. But if you don't need to search for them, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
If there's a scent of alcohol on your person or in your vehicle, don't talk. You have the right to remain silent during the entirety of your interactions with the law. 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
California does not require the majority of people to participate in field sobriety tests, and in fact, you can often refuse without penalty. The two main exceptions are if you are under the age of 21, and/or if you are on probation. If you haven't been arrested, you can decline to participate. However, you cannot legally refuse a BAC test once you are in custody, without losing your driving privileges.
Tip #4: Treat the Officer Respectfully
Arguing with the officer won't help — it can end up making your case harder to defend. This is about more than just avoiding an arrest in the short term; it also helps your defense: When you resist or act disrespectfully, you are giving the police more evidence, which could contribute to their probable cause to arrest you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Dublin?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you aren't tested at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, generally utilizing field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on that.
If you've been placed under arrest, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can go into effect at the time of the arrest – at that time, 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, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the Dublin, CA, DMV, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will be summoned to a court hearing, and a prosecutor will read out the allegations that you are formally being charged with.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll need to start fighting for your license right away. This starts with arranging a DMV hearing, which you need to do within 10 days.
- Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. In the interim, your Dublin DUI defense lawyer will building the framework of your defense and filing motions to throw out illegal evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While working through pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Dublin prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Outside of extraordinary circumstances, it's rare for a DUI case to 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 proceeds, you may face a punishment. 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 provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. Whether you've just been arrested or are on the eve of your trial (or anywhere in-between), we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Defending Against Dublin DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Dublin, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the driver's case. These will never be handled in the same hearing, but a leading DUI defense attorney from our offices will fight for you in both cases.
Here are descriptions of both case categories, and insights into how we protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Dublin, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. And that means you'll have to go to Dublin, CA, court.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – 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 present reasonable doubt and discredit the allegations. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and look for witness testimony and other proof that can show you are not guilty.
If you're facing jail time in Dublin, CA, our attorneys can help you avoid it. Commonly, we'll plea bargain for a reduction of the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Dublin, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Dublin DUI charge is the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and to 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, this administrative hearing is focused on if you were lawfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. These hearings have serious consequences that require an expert Dublin, CA, DUI lawyer to navigate. At the hearing, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
After ten days, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's essential to contact a Dublin DUI defense attorney immediately after the traffic stop.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Dublin
Dublin, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – though you could 'only' be facing misdemeanors, it's possible to receive a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| Formal DUI 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and career setbacks.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences have the potential to be life-altering. 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 you have faced DUI charges before, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI can result in removal from the country. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can count against your "good moral character," which you need to establish before becoming a citizen.
Whether you are an immigrant citizen, are here on a work visa, or are anywhere in between, a Dublin, CA, immigration lawyer can help you navigate the situation. 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 to protect your record, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and assist you with the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found innocent or not, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. The bad news is that your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A Dublin, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a path to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
Defending yourself against a DUI in Dublin? It's key to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the abilities, practice, and ties to find the best outcome for your case. When you speak with Dublin, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team that has former judges, district attorneys, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
- Relationships: When your lawyer knows the district attorney you're up against, they'll use that to your advantage. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Dublin and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. We are proud of our reputation with former clients 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. With us, you can take advantage of a team that knows how to secure positive outcomes for our clients.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Dublin
Administrative, criminal, or anything else related to DUIs in Dublin, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to battle against the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI charges we have experience defending:
- 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 Dublin, CA
Every DUI case needs a defensive strategy, and our Dublin, CA DUI defense lawyers are here to help you find the right one. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Challenge the Legitimacy of the Traffic Stop
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, your case could be thrown out on legal grounds. This defense is effective if, for example, the police officer did not properly calibrate the breathalyzer before administering the test, that evidence is invalid.
Flaws in Chemical 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 any possible errors that were made when you took the test, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are a normal part of the process when police are evaluating if someone is driving intoxicated or not. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. Your local DUI lawyer will inspect any records of the test and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
In most cases, law enforcement will follow proper procedure when testing your blood alcohol level. Let's say that this is true for your stop, and your BAC was over the legal limit. While properly conducted BAC tests are hard to disprove, there are still ways to fight it. We can examine your diet and medical conditions to find alternative explanations.
Get Rapid Assistance – Talk To Our Dublin DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Dublin, CA, things move pretty fast. You lose your license, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you get a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. What you need to do is speak to aDublin, CA, DUI attorney right away.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't let your license go without a fight. 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 Dublin, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case immediately and will can fight for your license and your rights as soon as you call. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Dublin, CA:
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