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; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. 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 DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you shouldn't need to do this without help. 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 California's best DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to fight for you in the Panorama City, CA, judicial system and get you the best outcome possible.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Get in touch without delay at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start constructing your defense today.
Panorama City, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Below are four tips from a Panorama City, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to help you get through any traffic stops unscathed:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
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. By following this tip, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
If there's a scent of alcohol on your person or in your vehicle, don't talk. You have the right to remain silent during the entirety of your interactions with the law. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
In California, field sobriety tests are voluntary unless you are under the age of 21 or are on probation. You can still be arrested if the officer believes you've broken the law, but you're giving them less evidence this way. However, California does require individuals to participate in in blood and breath tests after they've been arrested, and refusing in these circumstances will lead to an automatic license suspension.
Tip #4: Don't Argue With the Officer
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't help — it will make things worse. Nobody enjoys being pulled over, but remaining calm and respectful not only makes it easier for the officer; it also helps your defense: By acting out or arguing, you are giving the police more evidence, and depending on what you do, it could make you appear intoxicated.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Panorama City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, 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 using field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on how you do.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and you will lose your regular license (at least for now). Meanwhile, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will be summoned to a court hearing, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- 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 Panorama City, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. Meanwhile, your Panorama City DUI defense lawyer will building the framework of your defense and filing motions to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to have another test run on your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While working through pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will work directly with the Panorama City district attorney to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will go to trial, but if it reaches that point, we'll have a staunch defense ready for you.
- 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 help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. No matter where you are in your case, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Panorama City, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Panorama City, CA, DUI charges require particular expertise because there are two sides that each need to be defended: The criminal case and the fight for your license. These are handled separately by the state, but a leading DUI defense attorney from our offices will fight for you in both cases.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and insights into how we protect your freedom and license:
Panorama City, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To protect yourself against the allegations, you'll need to fight in the Panorama City, CA, legal system.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – charges are formally filed against you, you'll probably be given bail and/or conditions of release, then your attorney will proceed with pretrial motions and negotiations. It's unlikely (but possible) that you'll reach a trial at some stage.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we protect your rights and dissect the supposed wrongdoing. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, demonstrate any present errors in the police officer's judgement, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and hunt for other evidence that can exonerate you.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Panorama City do not receive any jail sentence. 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 out probation over jail or prison time.
Panorama City, CA, DUI License Suspension
Even though the criminal charges may sound like the more serious matter, don't neglect the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension doesn't wait for your criminal case, and to successfully 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 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 alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to request that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Panorama City DUI defense attorney promptly after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Panorama City
Panorama City, CA, DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – even for the ones 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 fighting against, depending on how exactly your charged and your history:
| 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 the Panorama City, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and career setbacks.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can turn your world upside down. The level of impact often depends on how many prior offenses are on your record. First-time alleged DUIs don't typically result in deportation. 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. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it hurts your application process.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a Panorama City, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. 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 that can protect you from a conviction, fight against removal proceedings, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found innocent or not, you're liking looking forward to putting this all behind you. However, your arrest and/or criminal record won't go away on its own. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. A Panorama City, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a way to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Panorama City: What You Need to Know
Up against DUI charges? It's vital to pick the right lawyer to defend your innocence. Your team needs the skills, practice, and relationships to secure a positive outcome for your case. When you speak with Panorama City, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about 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 officers, totalling more than five decades of experience with the law.
- Availability: You should be able to get help fast, whenever you need it. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Panorama City and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. 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: 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. With us, you can take advantage of a team that knows how to secure positive outcomes for our clients.
DUI Case Types We Fight in Panorama City
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Panorama City, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared to battle against the charges.
Here is a list 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 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 Strategies in Panorama City, CA
Our Panorama City, 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.
Contest 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 a good option if, for example, the police officer pulled you over without probable cause, the entire traffic stop could be made invalid.
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. Our team will investigate whether or not the procedure was followed when administering the tests, re-examine the evidence to look for alternate explanations, and look for any issues in how the evidence was handled.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are a typical part of any traffic stop that turns into a DUI investigation. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. We will audit the test records and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.
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. 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 Panorama City DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Panorama City, CA, things move pretty fast. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. With everything going on, your best way out is to get in touch with aPanorama City, CA, DUI attorney right away.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't hesitate and lose your freedom. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to represent you.
We're experts at defending all Panorama City, CA DUI charges. We're available to help now and will can fight for your license and your freedom immediately. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or let us know what you need online for a no strings attached case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Panorama City, CA:
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