DUI Lawyer San Ramon. San Ramon DUI charges are very serious. This isn't just an administrative issue; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. California law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to defeat the allegations is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to fight for your rights.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you choose us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to defend your rights in the San Ramon, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Talk to a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start crafting your defense strategy today.
San Ramon, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Most people don't plan to be pulled over, but even if you've done nothing wrong, you need to know how to navigate the situation. Below are four tips from a San Ramon, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to help you get through any traffic stops unscathed:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
After being pulled over, but before the police officer approaches your car, grab your license, vehicle registration, and insurance documentation. If you're struggling to locate them and keep hold of them, the officer may think you're intoxicated. But if you don't need to search for them, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
You never need to answer a question that might incriminate you. You have the right to remain silent both before and after an arrest. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.
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. You can still be arrested if the officer believes you've broken the law, but you're giving them less evidence this way. However, if you have been arrested and refuse a blood or breath test, your license will be suspended.
Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Resisting the police won't improve your case — it will increase your chances of getting in trouble. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also helps 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 San Ramon?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you regardless of your blood alcohol level, or even if you refuse to be tested at all. The police can use other methods to determine whether or not you were safe to drive, probably via field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension effective immediately after your arrest – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. Meanwhile, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, 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 San Ramon DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones 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 communicate with the San Ramon district attorney to find a positive outcome for you that avoids a trial through a plea deal. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Most DUI cases won't 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 the outcome of your case, you may face a punishment. 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 help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. If you need help today, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here for you!
San Ramon, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
San Ramon, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the driver's case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and how we fight to protect your freedom and license:
San Ramon, 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 pretrial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we present reasonable doubt and dissect the charges. We'll examine the lawfulness of the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and look for evidence that can present an alternate narrative.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in San Ramon, CA. Frequently, we'll get the prosecutor 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.
San Ramon, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension doesn't wait for your criminal case, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, the focus of this hearing is whether or not you were lawfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused BAC 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, you're out of options. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a San Ramon DUI defense attorney promptly after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in San Ramon
San Ramon, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even for the ones considered 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 up against, depending on the allegations you're facing:
| 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 San Ramon court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as loss or increased expense of insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences have the potential to be life-altering. If this is the first time you've been accused of driving under the influence, you probably won't face removal proceedings. 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. If you are trying to become an American citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can count against your "good moral character," which you need to establish before becoming a citizen.
If any of the above situations apply to you, don't panic: Call one of our San Ramon, CA, immigration lawyers to get immediate help. 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 and plea deals that can keep a DUI off your record, fight against removal proceedings, and assist you with 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. The bad news is that your arrest and/or criminal record won't go away on its own. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. Fortunately, if you're in San Ramon, CA, our DUI lawyers will also fight to protect you in this way, and give you a way to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in San Ramon: What You Need to Know
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's imperative to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the talent, practice, and connections to give you opportunities for a positive outcome for your case. The top San Ramon, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than five decades of experience handling cases.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. You can speak with one of our team members 24/7.
- Relationships: When your lawyer knows the district attorney you're up against, they'll use that to your advantage. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in San Ramon and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. 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. 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 San Ramon
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in San Ramon, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared help you navigate the charges.
This is a list of the DUI allegations we frequently 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 Strategies in San Ramon, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our San Ramon, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Contest the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, your case could be thrown out on legal grounds. This defense is effective 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 investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, push for tests to be redone, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
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 you can still challenge them – they are not ironclad proof of guilt. Our attorneys will review the footage and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
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. This may sound bad, but 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.
Get Immediate Help – Contact Our San Ramon DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
When you're up against San Ramon DUI charges, it can feel like you don't even have time to think. The police officer takes your license, you could find yourself in an interrogation room, you're given a court date…it's easy to be lost. Your path forward begins when you hire an attorney now.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. 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 represent you.
We're experts at defending all San Ramon, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case immediately and will begin protecting your license and your freedom today. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a no strings attached consultation.
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