DUI Lawyer Manhattan Beach. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. If you declined to take an alcohol test, you can face separate charges, and the consequences you face might be even worse than a DUI conviction. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
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 that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience. When you retain us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to navigate the Manhattan Beach, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Call 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start constructing your defense today.
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being pulled over, but knowing how to handle the situation is important for all Manhattan Beach, CA, residents. Here are four tips from a Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI Lawyer for you that will guide you through your next traffic stop:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. 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 stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
You never need to answer a question that might incriminate you. You have Fifth Amendment protections during any form of questioning. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.
Tip #3: Don't Participate in Field Sobriety Tests, Unless Required
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. The officer may not like it, but they can't compel you to participate. However, you cannot legally refuse a BAC test once you are in custody, without losing your driving privileges.
Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Resisting the police won't improve your case — it will make things worse. This is about more than just avoiding an arrest in the short term; it also aids your defense: When you resist or act disrespectfully, you are giving the police more evidence, which can be used against you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Manhattan Beach?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, 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, often with field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
Once you've been arrested, the CA legal system starts moving towards 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 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 updating your records with the DMV to account for the arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will read out the allegations that you are formally being charged with.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll have just 10 days to begin the process of protecting 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 Manhattan Beach DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will bargain with the Manhattan Beach district attorney to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be preparing 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 how you plea or are found, you may face a punishment. 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 out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and license side. If you're facing a potential conviction, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI charges are special because of their dual-nature: The criminal case and the DMV case. These are handled separately by the state, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and what our attorneys will do for your justice and vehicular rights:
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. And that means you'll have to go to Manhattan Beach, CA, court.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we craft a staunch defense and dissect the allegations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can exonerate you.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Manhattan Beach, CA. For several cases, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Manhattan Beach criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is independent of the criminal case, and if you want to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, the focus of this hearing is 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 work to undermine the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's essential to contact a Manhattan Beach DUI defense lawyer promptly after the traffic stop.
Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Manhattan Beach, CA
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – while some are 'just' misdemeanors, you're still facing a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the nature of the allegations:
| 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 Manhattan Beach, CA, you're also facing collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. The good news is that, currently, a first-time DUI is generally not grounds for removal. 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. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, even if you aren't deported, it hurts your application process.
If any of the above situations apply to you, don't panic: Call one of our Manhattan Beach, CA, immigration lawyers to get immediate help. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we can help you in all aspects of your case: We'll explore diversion programs that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, fight to keep you in the country, and act as your guide through the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. It doesn't take long to realize, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. A Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a chance to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
Defending yourself against a DUI in Manhattan Beach? It's essential to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the proficiency, preparation, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. When you speak with Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team that has former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Manhattan Beach and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: If your lawyer is known for successfully fighting DUI charges, that is a major positive. We are proud to be respected amongst our peers and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- 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. We want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Fight in Manhattan Beach
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Manhattan Beach, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared to defend you against the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI cases 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 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 Manhattan Beach, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Challenge the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If the arresting officer failed to obey the rules for investigating a DUI, 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
If you were arrested and given a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test, that can be the center of the prosecution's case. We will look into any issues with how the equipment was stored or used, push for tests to be redone, and look for any issues in how the evidence was handled.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are often used by officers to evaluate whether someone is impaired or not. But there are several other factors that can affect your performance besides whether or not alcohol was in your system. Your local DUI lawyer will inspect any records of the test and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
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, 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.
Get Immediate Help – Talk To Our Manhattan Beach DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
Manhattan Beach, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, it can feel like you don't even have time to think. Your license disappears, you might be interrogated, you get a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. With everything going on, your best way out is to hire a DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.
Don't let the state decide how your case will go. Don't wait too long and lose your driving privileges. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Manhattan Beach, CA DUI charges. We're standing by to answer your call immediately and will can fight for your license and your rights today. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a no strings attached consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Manhattan Beach, CA:
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