DUI Lawyer Inglewood. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; if you're facing years in prison for a repeat offense, your car is the least of your worries. In California, you're required to participate in DUI tests if you're driving. Refusal to do so is another crime, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is available to protect you in Inglewood.
We are California's top DUI defense lawyers and decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to navigate the Inglewood, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get in touch today at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start building your defense today.
Inglewood, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Most people don't plan to be pulled over, but even if you've done nothing wrong, you need to know how to navigate the situation. Below are four tips from a Inglewood, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. Dropping them or failing to find them could just be a result of stress, but it can give the impression that you're impaired. But if you don't need to search for them, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
If there's a scent of alcohol on your person or in your vehicle, don't talk. You have Fifth Amendment protections both before and after an arrest. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.
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. You can still be arrested if the officer believes you've broken the law, but you're giving them less evidence this way. However, if you have been arrested and refuse a blood or breath test, your license will be suspended.
Tip #4: Treat the Officer Respectfully
Arguing with the officer won't help — it will increase your chances of getting in trouble. This doesn't just help you get through the traffic stop; it also benefits your defense: By acting out or arguing, you are giving the police more evidence, which can be used against you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Inglewood?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, 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 using field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on how you do.
Once this happens, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – 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 contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, at which point, you're officially facing a license suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Inglewood DUI defense lawyer will laying the groundwork of your defense through motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Inglewood prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be creating a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will go to trial, but we don't count on that possibility and will be ready if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case proceeds, 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 fight any allegation, 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), the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here for you!
Defending Against Inglewood DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Inglewood, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the driver's case. These are handled separately by the state, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI defense lawyers will fight both.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and what our attorneys will do for your liberty and ability to drive:
Inglewood, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. And that means you'll have to go to Inglewood, CA, court.
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 question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and look for witness testimony and other proof that can show you are not guilty.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Inglewood 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 search for a deal that protects your freedom and avoids any jail sentence.
Inglewood, 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 effectively fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
In many cases, the status of your criminal case doesn't have a huge impact on the DMV hearing. In fact, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. 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 cooperate when the officer tried to test you, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. These hearings have serious consequences that require an expert Inglewood, CA, DUI lawyer to navigate. At the hearing, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Inglewood DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Inglewood
Inglewood, CA, DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – though you could 'only' be facing misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
On this table, you can review the different penalties you could be looking to avoid, depending on how exactly your charged and your history:
| 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 the Inglewood, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums 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 trying to become an American citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can set your efforts back by several years.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a Inglewood, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know that you need someone who has knowledge of both immigration and criminal law. We have both: We'll explore diversion programs with alternatives to criminal sentencing, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you're liking looking forward to putting this all behind you. It doesn't take long to realize, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. Our Inglewood, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a path to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
When you're facing DUI charges, it's essential to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the skills, history, and connections to give you opportunities for a positive outcome for your case. When you speak with Inglewood, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Experience: Experience gives your attorney knowledge on how to win these cases. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI lawyers have previous experience as judges, district attorneys, and police officers, totalling over 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: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Inglewood 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: 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 want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Inglewood
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Inglewood, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to battle against the charges.
Here are some of the DUI cases we can provide defenses for:
- 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 Inglewood, CA
Every DUI case needs a defensive strategy, and our Inglewood, CA DUI defense lawyers are here to help you find the right one. There is no one-size-fits-all defensive strategy against DUI allegations, but below, we've listed out some of the most effective ones.
Contest the Legality of the Arrest
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, you might be able to secure a dismissal of the charges. This defense could be used if, for example, the police officer did not properly calibrate the breathalyzer before administering the test, that evidence is invalid.
Flaws in BAC Tests
Chemical tests that measure the amount of alcohol in your blood, breath, or urine are strong evidence, but are not infallible. We will look into any potential procedural errors, re-examine the evidence to look for alternate explanations, and look for any issues in how the evidence was handled.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are a typical part of any traffic stop that turns into a DUI investigation. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. We will examine the evidence and provide alternate explanations for your performance.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Maybe there were no mistakes with your blood, breath, or urine test, and your BAC was .08 or higher. Even though this is harder to fight, our lawyers have more defense strategies we can pull from. We can examine your diet and medical conditions to find alternative explanations.
Timing is Critical – Speak With Our Inglewood DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. The police officer takes your license, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. What you need to do is contact a DUI defense lawyer now.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't wait and realize that it's suddenly too late. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Inglewood, CA DUI charges. We're available to help now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights as soon as you call. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a confidential case review.
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