DUI Lawyer Panorama City. DUI law in Panorama City is complex. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. 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 there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
If you find yourself in this situation, you don't want to be alone. 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 available to protect you in Panorama City.
We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to navigate the Panorama City, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get in touch now at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Panorama City?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you aren't tested at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, likely via field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on the results.
As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system starts moving towards 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 – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. Meanwhile, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. In the interim, your Panorama City DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Panorama City prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a 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, you may be eligible to have your record sealed.
Our DUI legal experts can help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. For advice on any stage with your charges, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Defending Against Panorama City DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Panorama City, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the administrative case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and insights into how we protect your freedom and driving privileges:
Panorama City, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and push back against the supposed wrongdoing. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. Often, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.
Panorama City, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and if you want to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
The criminal charges are not always relevant in the DMV hearing. In fact, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. 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 to alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Panorama City DUI defense attorney immediately after being arrested.
Panorama City DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – even though some are misdemeanors, you could still end up with 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 how exactly your charged and your history:
| 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 Panorama City court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. Unfortunately, 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. A DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Panorama City: What You Need to Know
No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, it's critical to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the abilities, practice, and connections to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Panorama City, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- 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, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our lines are never off, and you can contact us 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We're familiar 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 CA.
- 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 want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Panorama City
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Panorama City, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to defend you against the charges.
Here are some 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 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
Timing is Critical – Call Our Panorama City DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
After a DUI arrest, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license disappears, you might be interrogated, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. With everything going on, your best way out is to contact a lawyer right away.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Panorama City, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense today and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your rights as soon as you call. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Panorama City, CA:
Payment Plans
