DUI Lawyer Pasadena. If you're up against a DUI in Pasadena, it can feel overwhelming. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. CA law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, 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.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you need someone in your corner. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.
We are CA's leading 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 veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Pasadena, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Get in touch 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Pasadena?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you aren't tested at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, probably using field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on your performance.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. In the meantime, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Pasadena DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will work directly with the Pasadena prosecutor 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 preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges 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 administrative side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Pasadena DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Pasadena, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the DMV case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, 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 how we fight to protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Pasadena, 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 – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pre-trial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we craft a staunch defense and push back against the charges. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. Frequently, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoavoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Pasadena, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Pasadena 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 if you want to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on 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.
Outside of that ten-day window, 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 important to contact a Pasadena DUI defense lawyer right away after being arrested.
Pasadena DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed 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 Pasadena court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and barriers between you and professional licenses.
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. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. 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.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, it's essential to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the expertise, experience, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Pasadena, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team that has former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Pasadena 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: 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. We want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Pasadena
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Pasadena, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared for the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI charges 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
Timing is Critical – Call Our Pasadena DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY
When you're up against Pasadena DUI charges, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to call a DUI defense 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 just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Pasadena, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case today and will work on a strategy to defend your license and keep you out of jail as soon as you call. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Pasadena, CA:
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