DUI Lawyer Hanford. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; 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.
If the Hanford, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you need someone in your corner. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to fight for your rights.
We are California's leading DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to navigate the Hanford, CA, justice system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Get a hold of us as soon as possible at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start preparing your case's defense today.
Hanford, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but knowing how to handle the situation is important for all Hanford, CA, residents. Here are four tips from a Hanford, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. If police see you fumbling as you try to gather these documents, they could think that you've been drinking. By following this tip, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
You never need to answer a question that might incriminate you. You have the right to remain silent at all points in the legal process. Don't talk without an attorney present.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
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, 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: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't help — it will likely be something you regret. Nobody enjoys being pulled over, but remaining calm and respectful not only makes it easier for the officer; it also benefits 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 Hanford?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you regardless of your blood alcohol level, or even if you don't blow at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, typically utilizing field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on that.
If you've been placed under arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can go into effect at the time of the arrest – 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 providing a record of the arrest to the Hanford, CA, DMV, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- 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 Hanford DUI defense lawyer will laying the groundwork of your defense through motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to reexamine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While working through pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will contact the Hanford district attorney to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be creating a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're prepared to fight for your freedom in front of a jury, no matter what .
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case turns out, you may face sanctions. 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 administrative side. No matter where you are in your case, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Defending Against Hanford DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Hanford, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the administrative case. These are handled separately by the state, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and our process for defending your freedom and right to drive:
Hanford, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To protect yourself against the allegations, you'll need to fight in the Hanford, CA, legal system.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we provide expert defense and fight against the criminal accusations. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can result in a not guilty plea.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Hanford do not receive any jail sentence. Often, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also work out probation over jail or prison time.
Hanford, 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 goes into effect regardless of where you're at in the criminal process, and to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. In fact, even if you secure a plea deal for a reduced charge, that won't (directly) affect your license suspension. Instead, the hearing is to determine if you were legitimately 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. When you hire us, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license back immediately. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Hanford DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after the traffic stop.
Punishments After a DUI Conviction in Hanford, CA
Hanford, CA, DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – while many are considered misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be facing, depending on what your charges are:
| 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 |
In addition to any criminal sentence in Hanford, CA, you're also facing collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences are very serious. 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 can result in removal from the country. For individuals working on the naturalization process, even if you aren't deported, it will hurt your application chances, especially for repeat or aggravated offenses.
These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Hanford, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, can provide assistance with all of your legal needs, not just against criminal accusations: We'll explore diversion programs with alternatives to criminal sentencing, represent you at deportation hearings, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether your case ends in a conviction or an acquittal, it's natural to want to move on and leave this in the past. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. Our Hanford, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a chance to clean your record.
When You're Picking a Hanford, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors
When you're facing DUI charges, it's important to pick the right lawyer to defend your innocence. Your team needs the abilities, experience, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Hanford, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling over five decades of experience with the law.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our team is prepared to help you 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 Hanford and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: If your lawyer is known for successfully fighting DUI charges, that is a major positive. We are proud of our reputation with former clients and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- 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. With us, you can take advantage of a team that knows how to secure positive outcomes for our clients.
DUI Case Types We Fight in Hanford
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Hanford, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared to defend you against the charges.
This is a list of the DUI charges we regularly 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 Hanford, CA
Our Hanford, CA, DUI lawyers will examine your case and suggest a defensive strategy that will maximize your chances of a positive outcome. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Contest the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, we can challenge the evidence, and even the legitimacy of the case itself. This defense is effective 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 Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
If your case is centered on a BAC test that put you over the legal limit, that can sound impossible to overcome. But it isn't. Our team will look into any potential procedural errors, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are standard practice for police officers to use. But these tests are subjective. An experienced Hanford, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any 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. While properly conducted BAC tests are hard to disprove, you do still have viable defense strategies. If you have a medical condition like diabetes, we can use that to help provide an alternate explanation to elevated BAC levels.
Timing is Critical – Contact Our Hanford DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY
After a DUI arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. Your license is suspended, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you get a court date…it's easy to be lost. What you need to do is contact a DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't hesitate and lose your freedom. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all Hanford, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case right now and will can fight for your license and your rights right away. Speak with a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Hanford, CA:
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