DUI Lawyer Inglewood. DUI law in Inglewood is complex. You're not just facing the loss of your license; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.
We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you hire us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to protect you in the Inglewood, CA, legal system and get you the best outcome possible.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Reach out 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Inglewood?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you aren't tested at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, probably using field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on your performance.
As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – 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, they are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. Meanwhile, your Inglewood DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will work directly with the Inglewood prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for 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 just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- 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 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, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Defending Against Inglewood DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Inglewood, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the DMV case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, 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 how we fight to protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Inglewood, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, for which you will need to go through the 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 push back against the charges. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Inglewood do not receive any jail sentence. Frequently, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.
Inglewood, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Inglewood DUI charge is the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
The criminal charges are not always relevant in the DMV hearing. In fact, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. Instead, the hearing is to determine if you were rightfully 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 challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Inglewood DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after being arrested.
Inglewood DUI Sentences and Consequences
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.
Here's an outline of 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 roadblocks when applying for 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. Unfortunately, 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. Our DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a chance to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Inglewood: What You Need to Know
Up against DUI charges? It's essential to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the skills, history, and relationships to secure a positive outcome for your case. The top Inglewood, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Inglewood and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. 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 CA.
- Track Record of Success: Regardless of all of the points above, you want someone who knows how to get a positive outcome for your case. And we have a history of doing just that. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Inglewood
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Inglewood, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared for the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI allegations 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
Timing is Critical – Call Our Inglewood DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
After a DUI arrest, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel stressed out. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to contact a lawyer immediately.
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 Inglewood, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case today and will start safeguarding your license and your freedom immediately. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Inglewood, CA:
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