DUI Lawyer Mission Viejo. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; 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 while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
Regardless of whether you're innocent or not, you don't want to be alone. Trying to defeat the allegations 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 premier 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 fight for you in the Mission Viejo, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Speak with one of our attorneys anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start crafting your case's defense today.
Mission Viejo, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being pulled over, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Below are four tips from a Mission Viejo, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
It's typical for an officer to request for your license, registration, and proof of insurance during a traffic stop. 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 avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. You have Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Call your DUI lawyer and stay quiet until they arrive.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
In California, field sobriety tests are voluntary unless you are under the age of 21 or are on probation. The officer may not like it, but they can't compel you to participate. However, this isn't the case for every test; if you're already in custody and are asked to perform a breath or blood based test, California law does require you to participate.
Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Arguing with the officer won't help — it can end up making your case harder to defend. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also helps your defense: Any time you open your mouth, whether or not the police asked you a question, you are giving the police more evidence, which can be used against you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Mission Viejo?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, generally with field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on your performance.
As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. Most DUI cases in Mission Viejo, CA, follow this progression:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can go into effect at the time of the arrest – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. While you're processing this, they are updating your records with the DMV to account for the arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: Sometime after arriving at the police station, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: Most people accused of DUIs in Mission Viejo, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. Meanwhile, your Mission Viejo DUI defense expert will file pretrial motions, likely including some to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Mission Viejo district attorney to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be refining a defense strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not 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 the outcome of your case, you may face consequences. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you can explore record clearing options with our lawyers.
Our DUI legal experts can provide guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and license side. Whether you've just been arrested or are on the eve of your trial (or anywhere in-between), we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
DUIs in Mission Viejo, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Mission Viejo, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the DMV case. This will always require two separate defenses, 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 what our attorneys will do for your liberty and vehicular rights:
Mission Viejo, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we craft a staunch defense and discredit the allegations. We'll argue whether the police had the justification needed to pull you over, argue against he officer's observations, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and hunt for other evidence that can show you are not guilty.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Mission Viejo do not receive any jail sentence. For several cases, we'll contact the district attorney on their behalf and negotiate a charge reduction, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Mission Viejo, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry 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, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. Instead, the hearing is to determine if you were lawfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused BAC tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to request that hearing. This is why it's essential to contact a Mission Viejo DUI defense attorney promptly after being arrested.
Mission Viejo DUI Sentences and Consequences
Mission Viejo, CA, DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – though you could 'only' be facing misdemeanors, you're still facing a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, you can read through the different penalties you could be trying to avoid, 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 |
On top of whatever sentence you receive in Mission Viejo court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as loss or increased expense of insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can turn your world upside down. The good news is that, currently, a first-time DUI is generally not grounds for removal. The bad news is that if certain circumstances apply, like DUIs causing injury or repeat offenses, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI will be put on the same level as serious felonies when it comes to immigration consequenceses. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can set your efforts back by several years.
A DUI accusation doesn't have to end your time in the United States. You can get help from your Mission Viejo, CA, immigration lawyer. 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 that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found innocent or not, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. The bad news is that your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A Mission Viejo, CA, DUI defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also assist with this process, and give you a way to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Mission Viejo: What You Need to Know
Up against DUI charges? It's crucial to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the skills, experience, and contacts to provide the optimal outcome for your case. The top Mission Viejo, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, district attorneys, and police, totalling over 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. 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 Mission Viejo 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 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 Defend in Mission Viejo
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Mission Viejo, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for the charges.
Below are some of the DUI case types 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 Mission Viejo, CA
Our Mission Viejo, CA, DUI lawyers will examine your case and suggest a defensive strategy that will maximize your chances of a positive outcome. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Challenge the Legality of the Arrest
The police need to follow rules when initiating a traffic stop and investigating a potential DUI. If they broke those rules, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense is a good option if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.
Flaws in BAC Tests
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. Our team will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, push for tests to be redone, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are a typical part of any traffic stop that turns into a DUI investigation. But these tests are subjective. 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 over the legal limit. While this is can be difficult to overcome, you do still have viable defense strategies. If you have a respiratory ailment, or another medical condition, that could impact how the breathalyzer measures your BAC, we will use that as a part of your defense.
Get Rapid Assistance – Contact Our Mission Viejo DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
After a DUI arrest, it can feel like you don't even have time to think. Your license disappears, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be out of control. And that's why it's all the more important to hire a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't lose your ability to drive without a fight. Don't wait and realize that it's suddenly too late. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to represent you.
We're experts at defending all Mission Viejo, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case right now and will start protecting your driving privileges and your freedom right away. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Mission Viejo, CA:
Payment Plans
