DUI Lawyer National City. 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. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
If the National City, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you should consult with an expert to find your best path forward. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a fight you want backup 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 have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you choose us, you're getting a team of experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to fight for you in the National City, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get a hold of us 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start putting together your defense today.
National City, 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 National City, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
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. When you're already prepared to give them to the officer, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
If there's a scent of alcohol on your person or in your vehicle, don't talk. You have Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
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 can face consequences if you refuse a blood alcohol content test after you've been arrested.
Tip #4: Don't Argue With the Officer
Arguing with the officer won't help — it can end up making your case harder to defend. This doesn't just help you get through the traffic stop; it also aids 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 National City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you aren't tested at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, generally using field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on their evaluation of you.
Once you've been arrested, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- 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 your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. While you're proceeding through the system, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: Independant of the criminal charge process, 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. In the interim, your National City DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to have another test run on your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will communicate with the National City prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges 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 how your case turns out, you may face some form of sentence. 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 provide guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. If you need help today, give us a call so that we can help!
DUIs in National City, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
National City, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the driver's case. This will always require two separate defenses, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI defense lawyers will fight both.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and ways we defend your freedom and ability to drive:
National City, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pretrial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we present reasonable doubt and attack the supposed wrongdoing. We'll examine the lawfulness of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and hunt for other evidence that can exonerate you.
If you're facing jail time in National City, CA, our attorneys can help you avoid it. Frequently, we'll plea bargain for a reduction of the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also work to give you an alternative to jail, in the form of probation.
National City, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a National City DUI charge is the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and to 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, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, this administrative hearing is focused on if you were lawfully 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. When you work with a National City, CA, DUI lawyer from our firm, we'll work to undermine the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you waited too long and it's past the deadline to request a hearing, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a National City DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after being arrested.
Punishments After a DUI Conviction in National City, CA
National City, CA, DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – while some are 'just' 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 facing, depending on what your charges are:
| 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 National City court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and barriers between you and professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences are very serious. The good news is that, currently, a first-time DUI is generally not grounds for removal. 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 will become grounds for deportation. If you are trying to become an American 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 National City, CA, immigration lawyer. 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 and plea deals that can keep a DUI off your record, fight against removal proceedings, and guide you through your citizenship application.
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. However, 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 National City, 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 National City: What You Need to Know
Accused of a DUI in National City? It is crucial to pick the right lawyer to take your case. Your team needs the skills, history, and connections to give you opportunities for a positive outcome for your case. When evaluating DUI lawyers in National City, CA, you want to judge the following:
- Experience: If possible, both defending against charges and as government agents. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you will work with a team of attorneys including former judges, district attorneys, and law enforcement, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: You should be able to get help fast, whenever you need it. Our offices are always available if you need to talk 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in National City and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Having a good reputation as someone who secures positive outcomes for clients is essential. 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 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. With us, you can take advantage of a team that knows how to secure positive outcomes for our clients.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in National City
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in National City, CA – all of our DUI defense attorneys are prepared for the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI allegations we often 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
DUI Defense Strategies in National City, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your National City, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Challenge the Legality of the Traffic Stop
The police need to follow rules when initiating a traffic stop and investigating a potential DUI. If they broke those rules, we can challenge the evidence, and even the legitimacy of the case itself. This defense is effective if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.
Flaws in BAC Tests
Fighting against chemical tests can be difficult, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will know how to look for flaws in them. Our team will highlight the ways that these tests can give false readings, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are a widely-recognized way of evaluating somebody's level of impairment. But these tests are subjective. Your local DUI lawyer will inspect any records of the test and look for expert analysis that will show your performance in a more favorable light.
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, it's not the end of your case. If you have certain medical conditions, those can cause false positives. For example, some inhalers can artificially raise the amount of alcohol in your breath, depending on how they are used.
Don't Wait – Speak With Our National City DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
National City, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, it can feel like you barely have a chance to think. Your license is suspended, you could find yourself in an interrogation room, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel lost. Your path forward begins when you speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't try to handle it on your own. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all National City, CA DUI charges. We're standing by to answer your call right now and will can fight for your license and your freedom as soon as you call. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free, confidential case review.
We also provide the following legal services in National City, CA:
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