DUI Lawyer Redlands. Redlands DUI charges are very serious. This isn't just an administrative issue; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And fighting against a DUI case involving drugs is very different than fighting against a DUI involving alcohol.
If you find yourself in this situation, you don't want to be alone. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a problem you shouldn't have to solve without help, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to defend you.
We are California's leading 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 accomplished defense attorneys who know how to defend your rights in the Redlands, CA, court system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Call 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start putting together your defense strategy today.
Redlands, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being pulled over, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Below are four tips from a Redlands, CA, DUI Lawyer for you that will guide you through your next traffic stop:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. But if you already have them ready, 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 Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Don't talk without an attorney present.
Tip #3: Don't Participate in Field Sobriety Tests, Unless Required
The state of California only legally requires drivers to participate in field sobriety tests if they are either under the age of 21, or are on probation. If you haven't been arrested, you can decline to participate. However, you cannot legally refuse a BAC test once you are in custody, without losing your driving privileges.
Tip #4: Don't Argue With the Officer
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't help — it will come back to bite you. This doesn't just help you get through the traffic stop; it also benefits 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 may come back up later in court.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Redlands?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or even if you don't undergo any tests at all. California allows the police to make a call about whether or not you were driving impaired regardless of your alcohol level, likely using field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on how you do.
If you've been placed under arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. While you're processing this, the police are ensuring that the arrest is added to your DMV record, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- 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. Between your potential release and the trial, your Redlands DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to reexamine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Alongside pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Redlands prosecutor to find a positive outcome for you that avoids a trial through a plea deal. But if you end up on trial in front of a judge, your attorney should be refining a defense strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case proceeds, you may face sanctions. 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 guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. Whether you've just been arrested or are on the eve of your trial (or anywhere in-between), give us a call so that we can help!
DUIs in Redlands, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Redlands, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the driver's 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 things to watch out for with both cases, and our process for defending your justice and driving privileges:
Redlands, 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.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – 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 listen to your side of the story and fight against the allegations. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and see if there's anything the police missed that can show you are not guilty.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Redlands, CA. 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 argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Redlands, CA, DUI License Suspension
While it might be tempting to focus exclusively on the criminal case, you also need to consider the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect regardless of where you're at in the criminal process, and to effectively fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. In fact, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, the hearing is to determine if you were legitimately 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 a Redlands, CA, DUI lawyer from our firm, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license back immediately. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Redlands DUI defense attorney promptly after the arrest.
Redlands DUI Sentences and Consequences
Redlands, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – while many are 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 looking to avoid, depending on how exactly your charged and your history:
| DUI Criminal 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 |
On top of whatever sentence you receive in Redlands court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as loss or increased expense of insurance and career setbacks.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly 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 certain circumstances apply, like DUIs causing injury or repeat offenses, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI conviction will qualify an immigrant for deportation. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, even if you aren't deported, it hurts your application process.
These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Redlands, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we don't stop at just defending you against the criminal charge: We'll explore diversion programs with alternatives to criminal sentencing, fight against removal proceedings, and act as your guide through the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether your case ends in a conviction or an acquittal, 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 keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. Fortunately, if you're in Redlands, CA, our DUI lawyers will also fight to protect you in this way, and give you a path to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Redlands: What You Need to Know
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's important to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the expertise, practice, and contacts to secure a positive outcome for your case. When you speak with Redlands, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI lawyers have previous experience as judges, prosecutors, and police officers, totalling more than 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. You can speak with one of our team members 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Redlands 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. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Redlands
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Redlands, CA – all of our DUI defense attorneys are prepared for 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 Tactics in Redlands, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your Redlands, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. Choosing the correct defense for your particular circumstances is essential in finding the best possible outcome. Below are some of the most effective ones.
Challenge the Legality of the Arrest
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, we can argue for your case to be dismissed. This defense is effective if, for example, the police officer pulled you over without probable cause, the entire traffic stop could be made invalid.
Flaws in BAC 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 investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, 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 'walk-and-turn,' are a normal part of the process when police are evaluating if someone is driving intoxicated or not. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. Your local DUI lawyer will inspect any records of the test and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
In most cases, law enforcement will follow proper procedure when testing your blood alcohol level. Let's say that this is true for your stop, and your BAC was .08 or higher. While this is can be difficult to overcome, you do still have viable defense strategies. 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 – Call Our Redlands DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. You lose your right to drive, you might be interrogated, you get a court date…it's easy to be like there's no way forward. Your path forward begins when you call an attorney immediately.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. 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 Redlands, CA DUI charges. We're available to help immediately and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your rights immediately. Speak with a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a no strings attached case review.
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