DUI Lawyer Redwood City. If you're up against a DUI in Redwood City, it can feel overwhelming. You're being accused of a crime; 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 that can even result in tougher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
If you've been accused of a DUI in Redwood City, CA, you don't want to be alone. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a fight that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is just a call away in Redwood City, CA.
We are California's top DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you retain us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to fight for you in the Redwood City, CA, judicial system and provide paths to positive outcomes.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Speak with one of our attorneys 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
Redwood City, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but knowing what to do if you are in a traffic stop can help you avoid an arrest. Below are four tips from a Redwood 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 police see you fumbling as you try to gather these documents, they could think that you've been drinking. By keeping these documents on hand, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
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
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. If you haven't been arrested, you can decline to participate. However, if you have been arrested and refuse a blood or breath test, your license will be suspended.
Tip #4: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Resisting the police won't improve your case — it will increase your chances of getting in trouble. Nobody enjoys being pulled over, but remaining calm and respectful not only makes it easier for the officer; it also benefits your defense: If you try to talk back or argue with the officer, you are giving the police more evidence, which may come back up later in court.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Redwood City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you don't undergo any tests at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, often using field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on your performance.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for 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 can go into effect at the time of the arrest – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. In the meantime, they 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 summoned to a court hearing, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll have just 10 days to begin the process of protecting your license.
- Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. Between your potential release and the trial, your Redwood City DUI defense expert will be filing motions, including motions to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to have another test run on your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the Redwood City prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be building a defense 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 your case turns out, you may face a punishment. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, it's possible that your record will be eligible for sealing.
Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and bureaucratic side. If you're facing a potential conviction, you can start with a call to our offices!
Redwood City DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Redwood City, CA, DUI charges are special because of their dual-nature: The criminal case and the administrative case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and how we fight to protect your liberty and vehicular rights:
Redwood City, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
Most of the steps in a DUI criminal case are identical to that of another criminal charge – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and attack the allegations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and look for witness testimony and other proof that can exonerate you.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Redwood City do not receive any jail sentence. Often, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also search for a deal that protects your freedom and avoids any jail sentence.
Redwood City, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Redwood City DUI charge is 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.
In many cases, the status of your criminal case doesn't have a huge impact on the DMV hearing. In fact, even if you secure a plea deal for a reduced charge, that won't (directly) affect your license suspension. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not 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 hire us, we'll argue over 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 a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Redwood City DUI defense lawyer without delay after an arrest.
Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – though you could 'only' be facing misdemeanors, you're still facing a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be trying to avoid, 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 |
Beyond the Redwood City, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and barriers between you and professional licenses.
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 you have faced DUI charges before, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI can result in removal from the country. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, 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 Redwood City, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we can help you in all aspects of your case: 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 you're found guilty or not guilty, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. However, your arrest and/or criminal record can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Fortunately, if you're in Redwood City, CA, our DUI lawyers will also fight to protect you in this way, and give you a path to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Redwood City, CA DUI Attorney
When you're facing DUI charges, it's vital to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the proficiency, preparation, and ties to secure a positive outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Redwood City, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI lawyers have previous experience as judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than five decades of experience handling cases.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: An attorney who knows the local prosecutor can use that relationship to their advantage. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Redwood City and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We are proud to be respected amongst our peers and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: You don't want to trust your case to someone who doesn't know how to win it. Our attorneys do. 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 Defend Against in Redwood City
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Redwood City, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to battle against the charges.
Below, you can review 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 Redwood City, CA
Whatever type of charge you're facing, our Redwood City, CA, DUI attorneys can help you fight it. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Contest the Legitimacy 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, your case could be thrown out on legal grounds. This defense is effective if, for example, the police officer did not properly calibrate the breathalyzer before administering the test, that evidence is invalid.
Flaws in Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. We will look into any potential procedural errors, re-examine the evidence to look for alternate explanations, and advocate for you during the discovery process to identify flaws in the state's evidence.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' 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. An experienced Redwood City, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records and provide alternate explanations for your performance.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
It's easy to feel like you're out of options if you were tested and your BAC was over the legal limit. While this is can be difficult to overcome, it's not the end of your case. 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.
Timing is Critical – Call Our Redwood City DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Redwood City, CA, it can feel like you barely have a chance to think. Your license disappears, you might be interrogated, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be lost. With everything going on, your best way out is to hire a lawyer as soon as possible.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. 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 defend you.
We're experts at defending all Redwood City, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case now and will start protecting your driving privileges and your rights immediately. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a confidential case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Redwood City, CA:
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