DUI Lawyer Dublin. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. You're being accused of a crime; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. In California, you're required to participate in DUI tests if you're driving. Refusal to do so is another crime, and the consequences you face might be even worse than a DUI conviction. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If the Dublin, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you shouldn't need to do this without help. Trying to defeat the allegations is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is available to protect you in Dublin.
We are California's leading DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you retain us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to operate the Dublin, CA, legal system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Reach out now at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start putting together your case's defense today.
Dublin, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being pulled over, but knowing what to do if you are in a traffic stop can help you avoid an arrest. 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. If you're struggling to locate them and keep hold of them, the officer may think you're intoxicated. When you're already prepared to give them to the officer, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. You have the right to remain silent during any form of questioning. Call your DUI lawyer and stay quiet until they arrive.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
In California, field sobriety tests are voluntary unless you are under the age of 21 or are on probation. You can still be arrested if the officer believes you've broken the law, but you're giving them less evidence this way. 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
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't help — it will make things worse. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, though; it also aids your defense: Any time you open your mouth, whether or not the police asked you a question, you are giving the police more evidence, which may help justify an arrest.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Dublin?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or even 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, often utilizing field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on that.
Once you've been arrested, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. Meanwhile, the police are ensuring that the arrest is added to your DMV record, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- DMV Hearing: Independant of the criminal charge process, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. While you're waiting for the trial, your Dublin DUI defense lawyer will building the framework of your defense and filing motions to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to have another test run on your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will contact the Dublin prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if that doesn't work, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Outside of extraordinary circumstances, it's rare for a DUI case to go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- 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 can explore record clearing options with our lawyers.
Our DUI legal experts can provide guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and 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!
Dublin, CA, DUI Differences: 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 fight for your license. This will always require two separate defenses, but a leading DUI defense attorney from our offices will fight for you in both cases.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and ways we defend your justice and license:
Dublin, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – after being formally told what crime you're being charged with, you'll likely be given terms of release and undergo pretrial procedures such as filing motions. As we mentioned above, trials are rare in DUI cases, but it is possible for them to reach that stage.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we provide expert defense and push back against the supposed wrongdoing. We'll debate the legality of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and see if there's anything the police missed that can show the events in a more favorable light.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Dublin, CA. 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 search for a deal that protects your freedom and avoids any jail sentence.
Dublin, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and if you want 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, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, the entire DMV hearing is about whether or not you were lawfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to blow, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll argue over the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license back immediately. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to set up that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Dublin DUI defense lawyer right away after an arrest.
DUI Punishments in Dublin
Dublin, CA, DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – 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 fighting against, depending on the allegations you're facing:
| 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 |
In addition to any criminal sentence in Dublin, CA, you're also facing collateral consequences, such as loss or increased expense of insurance and impacts on your employment.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences are very serious. The level of impact often depends on how many prior offenses are on your record. First-time alleged DUIs don't typically result in deportation. The bad news is that if something made this allegation more serious, like an injured bystander, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI will become grounds for deportation. For individuals working on the naturalization process, even if you aren't deported, it can set your efforts back by several years.
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, we can help you in all aspects of your case: We'll explore diversion programs and plea deals that can keep a DUI off your record, fight to keep you in the country, and act as your guide through the citizenship application process.
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 can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A Dublin, CA, DUI defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also assist with this process, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Dublin, CA DUI Attorney
Accused of a DUI in Dublin? It is critical to pick the right lawyer to defend your innocence. Your team needs the talent, preparation, and ties to offer the best possible outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Dublin, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- 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 police officers, totalling more than 50 years of experience handling cases.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. We're available 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: 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. We want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Take On in Dublin
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Dublin, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared help you navigate the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI case types we frequently 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 Accident Defense
- 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 in Construction Zones and School Zones
- DUI License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Process – What to Expect
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Trial – Jury Trial Defense
- 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
- Illegal Traffic Stop – Probable Cause Defense
- Medical Conditions as a Defense to DUI
- Misdemeanor vs Felony DUI Overview
- Mouth Alcohol Defense to DUI
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Rising Blood Alcohol Defense
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Title 17 Violation of Breath and Blood Test Procedures Defense
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
DUI Defense Tactics 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 officer didn't have probable cause to pull you over, or made an error when interviewing you, we can argue for your case to be dismissed. This defense is relevant if, for example, the officer did not observe you for the full 15-minute period required before asking you to take a breath test.
Flaws in Chemical Tests
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. Our team will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, retest when possible, and analyze the state's case to see if there was an error made in how your evidence was processed.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are a widely-recognized way of evaluating somebody's level of impairment. But these tests are subjective. An experienced Dublin, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records 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 .08 or higher. Even though this is harder to fight, it's not the end of your case. 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 Immediate Help – Call Our Dublin DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
After a DUI arrest, it feels like there's no space to breathe. The police officer takes your license, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be lost. What you need to do is get in touch with aDublin, CA, DUI attorney right away.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. 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 protect you.
We're experts at defending all Dublin, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense immediately and will start safeguarding your license and searching for positive outcomes right away. Speak with a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a confidential case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Dublin, CA:
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