DUI Lawyer Riverside. If you're up against a DUI in Riverside, it can feel overwhelming. You're being accused of a crime; depending on your history, you could go to prison. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in 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 the Riverside, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you need someone in your corner. Trying to defeat the allegations is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are California'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 experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to navigate the Riverside, CA, legal system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Reach out as soon as possible at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
Riverside, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Below are four tips from a Riverside, CA, DUI Lawyer for you that will guide you through your next traffic stop:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. 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: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
You aren't required to answer any questions if the officer says that they smell alcohol. You have Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Call your DUI lawyer and stay quiet until they arrive.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to 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. This doesn't stop the officer from arresting you, but can decrease your chances of having this happen. However, you cannot legally refuse a BAC test once you are in custody, without losing your driving privileges.
Tip #4: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Arguing with the officer 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: Any time you open your mouth, whether or not the police asked you a question, you are giving the police more evidence, which could contribute to their probable cause to arrest you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Riverside?
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. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, often using field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on that.
If you've been placed under arrest, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. While you're proceeding through the system, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the Riverside, CA, DMV, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- 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: Most people accused of DUIs in Riverside, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. Between your potential release and the trial, your Riverside DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Riverside prosecutor to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Most DUI cases won't 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 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 provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. If you're facing a potential conviction, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here for you!
Defending Against Riverside DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Riverside, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the fight for your license. These will never be handled in the same hearing, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and our process for defending your liberty and driving privileges:
Riverside, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pretrial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and attack the supposed wrongdoing. We'll debate the legality of the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and see if there's anything the police missed that can show you are not guilty.
If you're facing jail time in Riverside, CA, our attorneys can help you avoid it. Often, we'll plea bargain for a reduction of the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Riverside, 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 is automatically applied, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
The criminal charges are not always relevant in the DMV hearing. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, the entire DMV hearing is about whether or not you were lawfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to cooperate when the officer tried to test you, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's essential to contact a Riverside DUI defense attorney right away after the arrest.
DUI Punishments in Riverside
Riverside, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – while some are 'just' misdemeanors, it's possible to receive a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be up against, depending on the allegations you're facing:
| 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 Riverside court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences are very 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 you have faced DUI charges before, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI conviction will qualify an immigrant for deportation. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Riverside, 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, represent you at deportation hearings, and assist you with the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Our Riverside, CA, DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a way to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Riverside, CA DUI Attorney
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's critical to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the abilities, background, and relationships to secure a positive outcome for your case. When evaluating DUI lawyers in Riverside, CA, you want to judge the following:
- Experience: If possible, both defending against charges and as government agents. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, district attorneys, and police officers, totalling over five decades of experience with the law.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Riverside 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 California.
- Track Record of Success: You want to work with an attorney who has successfully fought DUI charges in the past. We have. 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 Riverside
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Riverside, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared for the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI case types we regularly 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 Riverside, CA
Whatever type of charge you're facing, our Riverside, CA, DUI attorneys can help you fight it. 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 Traffic Stop
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, we can argue for your case to be dismissed. This defense is effective if, for example, the officer did not observe you for the full 15-minute period required before asking you to take a breath test.
Flaws in Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
Fighting against chemical tests can be difficult, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will know how to look for flaws in them. Our team will look into any issues with how the equipment was stored or used, 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 'one-leg stand,' are standard practice for police officers to use. But there are several other factors that can affect your performance besides whether or not alcohol was in your system. We will examine the evidence and look for expert analysis that will show your performance in a more favorable light.
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 over the legal limit. Even though this is harder to fight, our lawyers have more defense strategies we can pull from. 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.
Get Rapid Assistance – Talk To Our Riverside DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Riverside, CA, it feels like there's no space to breathe. You lose your license, law enforcement might try to do additional tests, you're assigned a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. And that's why it's all the more important to contact a DUI defense lawyer immediately.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't lose your ability to drive without a fight. Don't hesitate and lose your freedom. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all Riverside, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense now and will can fight for your license and your freedom today. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Riverside, CA:
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