DUI Lawyer Manhattan Beach. DUI law in Manhattan Beach is complex. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need someone in your corner. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you.
We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to defend your rights in the Manhattan Beach, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Get in touch anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start preparing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Manhattan Beach?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you don't blow at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, probably utilizing field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as you're arrested – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. In the meantime, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will be brought before a judge, 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: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Manhattan Beach DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will work directly with the Manhattan Beach prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom 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, it's possible that your record will be eligible for sealing.
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!
Manhattan Beach DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: 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 things to watch out for with both cases, and insights into how we protect your liberty and driving privileges:
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and fight against the allegations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can tell a different story.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Manhattan Beach do not receive any jail sentence. Often, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Manhattan Beach DUI charge is 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.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, the focus of this hearing is whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, 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 critical to contact a Manhattan Beach DUI defense lawyer immediately after being arrested.
Manhattan Beach DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are 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 up against, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| 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 |
Beyond the Manhattan Beach, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. Unfortunately, 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. 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 Manhattan Beach: What You Need to Know
When you're facing DUI charges, it's crucial to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the skills, history, and connections to secure a positive outcome for your case. The top Manhattan Beach, 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, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Manhattan Beach and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in CA.
- 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. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Manhattan Beach
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Manhattan Beach, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared to battle against the charges.
Below are some of the DUI allegations we typically 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
Start Your Defense Today – Contact Our Manhattan Beach DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY
When you're up against Manhattan Beach DUI charges, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license disappears, there could be interrogations, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel stressed out. And that's why it's all the more important to contact a DUI defense attorney immediately.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. 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 defend you.
We're experts at defending all Manhattan Beach, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case right now 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 confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Manhattan Beach, CA:
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