DUI Lawyer Panorama City. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; if you're facing years in prison for a repeat offense, your car is the least of your worries. In California, you're required to participate in DUI tests if you're driving. Refusal to do so is another crime, 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've been accused of a DUI in Panorama City, CA, you shouldn't need to do this without help. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you work with us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to protect you in the Panorama City, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
If you want to build an effective defense, you need to act now. Call anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
Panorama City, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Traffic police are just a part of driving. It's not exciting, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Here are four tips from a Panorama City, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
It's normal to be nervous after being pulled over and asked 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. But if you already have them ready, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
You aren't required to answer any questions if the officer says that they smell alcohol. You have the right to remain silent during the entirety of your interactions with the law. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
California does not require the majority of people to participate in field sobriety tests, and in fact, you can often refuse without penalty. The two main exceptions are if you are under the age of 21, and/or if you are on probation. This doesn't stop the officer from arresting you, but can decrease your chances of having this happen. However, you can face consequences if you refuse a blood alcohol content test after you've been arrested.
Tip #4: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't improve your case — it will increase your chances of getting in trouble. This doesn't just help you get through the traffic stop; it also helps 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 Panorama City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you regardless of your blood alcohol level, or even if you don't undergo any tests at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, typically utilizing field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – when arrested, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your actual license will be taken. Meanwhile, they are ensuring that the arrest is added to your DMV record, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will list out the laws you're accused of breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. In the meantime, your Panorama City DUI defense attorney will laying the groundwork of your defense through motions to suppress 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 work directly with the Panorama City district attorney to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if that doesn't work, your attorney should be creating a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, you may face some form of sentence. 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 you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. No matter where you are in your case, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here for you!
DUIs in Panorama City, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Panorama City, CA, DUI charges are special because of their dual-nature: The criminal case and the driver's case. This will always require two separate defenses, but a leading DUI defense attorney from our offices will fight for you in both cases.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and our process for defending your freedom and right to drive:
Panorama City, 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 – 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 defend your freedom and discredit the allegations. We'll debate the legality of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can show you are not guilty.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Panorama City, CA, clients from jail time. Commonly, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also work out probation over jail or prison time.
Panorama City, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Panorama City criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension doesn't wait for your criminal case, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
It's typical for the criminal case to be, by and large, separate from the DMV hearing. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. 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 to cooperate when the officer tried to test you, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with a Panorama City, CA, DUI lawyer from our firm, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Panorama City DUI defense attorney promptly after the arrest.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Panorama City
Panorama City, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while many are considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be trying to avoid, depending on the nature of the allegations:
| Formal DUI 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 |
Beyond any sentence that a judge in Panorama City, CA, sentences you to, you also need to worry about collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and career setbacks.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences are very serious. If this is your first DUI, the good news is that you will likely be able to stay in the country. 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.
Whether you are an immigrant citizen, are here on a work visa, or are anywhere in between, a Panorama City, CA, immigration lawyer can help you navigate the situation. 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 to protect your record, fight against removal proceedings, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. However, your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. Our Panorama City, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Panorama City, CA DUI Attorney
When you're facing DUI charges, it's key to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the proficiency, background, and contacts to offer the best possible outcome for your case. The top Panorama City, 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 officers, totalling more than 50 years of experience handling cases.
- Availability: You should be able to get help fast, whenever you need it. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
- Relationships: An attorney who knows the local prosecutor can use that relationship to their advantage. Our team will leverage our connections with the prosecutors in Panorama City and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Having a good reputation as someone who secures positive outcomes for clients is essential. We are proud of our reputation with former clients 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. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Take On in Panorama City
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Panorama City, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for the charges.
Here are some of the DUI charges we have experience defending:
- 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 Panorama City, CA
Whatever type of charge you're facing, our Panorama City, CA, DUI attorneys can help you fight it. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Challenge the Legitimacy of the Arrest
The police need to follow rules when initiating a traffic stop and investigating a potential DUI. If they broke those rules, your case could be thrown out on legal grounds. 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.
Show Issues With Blood, Breath, and/or Urine 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 highlight the ways that these tests can give false readings, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and analyze the state's case to see if there was an error made in how your evidence was processed.
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 audit the test records and provide additional context for your performance, such as the stress of the situation.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Perhaps the officer properly conducted a breathalyzer test, and your BAC was .08 or higher. This may sound bad, but our lawyers have more defense strategies we can pull from. 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.
Start Your Defense Today – Call Our Panorama City DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
Panorama City, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license disappears, you might be interrogated, you get a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. With everything going on, your best way out is to hire a lawyer immediately.
Don't let the state decide how your case will go. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't hesitate and lose your freedom. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all Panorama City, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case right now and will begin protecting your license and your liberty now. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Panorama City, CA:
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