DUI Lawyer Redondo Beach. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. You're not just facing the loss of your license; depending on your history, you could go to prison. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, 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.
Regardless of whether you're innocent or not, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a fight that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.
We are California's top DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you hire us, you're getting a team of former prosecutors who know how to operate the Redondo Beach, CA, judicial 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. Get a hold of us as soon as possible at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start constructing your defense today.
Redondo Beach, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but knowing what to do if you are in a traffic stop can help you avoid an arrest. Here are four tips from a Redondo Beach, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
It's typical for an officer to request for your license, registration, and proof of insurance during a traffic stop. If you're struggling to locate them and keep hold of them, the officer may think you're intoxicated. By following this tip, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
If either the officer alleges that they smell alcohol, or you can smell alcohol yourself, don't answer any questions. You have the right to remain silent both before and after an arrest. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary 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. 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: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Arguing with the officer 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 aids 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 Redondo Beach?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you aren't tested at all. The police can use other methods to determine whether or not you were safe to drive, likely using field sobriety tests, then make arrests 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 effective immediately after your arrest – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and you will lose your regular license (at least for now). While you're processing this, they are providing a record of the arrest to the Redondo Beach, CA, DMV, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll have just 10 days to begin the process of protecting your license.
- Pretrial Motions: It's possible to be held in jail before your trial, but that's not very likely in DUI cases. While you're waiting for the trial, your Redondo Beach DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will work directly with the Redondo Beach district attorney 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 preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will go to trial, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're prepared to fight for your freedom in front of a jury, no matter what .
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how you plea or are found, you may face penalties. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, our record clearing attorneys can help you get a fresh start.
Our DUI legal experts can provide guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. If you need help today, give us a call so that we can help!
Redondo Beach DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Redondo Beach, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the fight for your license. This will always require two separate defenses, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are important factors for both case types, and ways we defend your liberty and right to drive:
Redondo Beach, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
If you're familiar with the process of other criminal charges, DUI cases follow the same format – 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 fight against the allegations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and look for witness testimony and other proof that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Redondo Beach, CA, clients from jail time. Commonly, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also work to give you an alternative to jail, in the form of probation.
Redondo Beach, 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 in order 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 outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not you were lawfully 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. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Redondo Beach DUI defense attorney without delay after the arrest.
Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Redondo Beach, CA
Redondo Beach, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – while some are 'just' 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 fighting against, depending on what your charges are:
| 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 |
In addition to any criminal sentence in Redondo Beach, CA, you're also facing collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and barriers between you and professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences have the potential to be life-altering. 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 be put on the same level as serious felonies when it comes to immigration consequenceses. For individuals working on the naturalization process, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a Redondo Beach, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. 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 that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and act as your guide through the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. However, your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Our Redondo Beach, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a chance to clean your record.
When You're Picking a Redondo Beach, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's vital to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the skills, background, and ties to give you opportunities for a positive outcome for your case. When you speak with Redondo Beach, 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, you get a team that has former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience handling cases.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Redondo Beach and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. 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 want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Redondo Beach
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Redondo Beach, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared for the charges.
This is a list of the DUI case types we can provide defenses for:
- 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 Redondo Beach, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your Redondo Beach, 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 Legitimacy of the Arrest
If the officer didn't have probable cause to pull you over, or made an error when interviewing you, your case could be thrown out on legal grounds. This defense is relevant if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.
Show Issues With 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 look into any potential procedural errors, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, 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 widely-recognized way of evaluating somebody's level of impairment. But there are several other factors that can affect your performance besides whether or not alcohol was in your system. Your local DUI lawyer will inspect any records of the test and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
While the police can make mistakes with breathalyzer tests, most of the time they perform them properly. This could be bad news if you were tested and your BAC was .08 or higher. This may sound bad, but we won't give up yet. If you have a respiratory ailment, or another medical condition, that could impact how the breathalyzer measures your BAC, we will use that as a part of your defense.
Start Your Defense Today – Talk To Our Redondo Beach DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, things move pretty fast. Your license is suspended, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you're given a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. And that's why it's all the more important to call aRedondo Beach, CA, DUI attorney now.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't wait too long and lose your driving privileges. 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 Redondo Beach, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case immediately and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail right away. Speak with a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a free, confidential consultation.
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