DUI Lawyer San Ramon. If you're up against a DUI in San Ramon, it can feel overwhelming. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; depending on your history, you could go to prison. California law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And fighting against a DUI case involving drugs is very different than fighting against a DUI involving alcohol.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you need someone in your corner. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is just a call away in San Ramon, CA.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you retain us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to navigate the San Ramon, CA, justice system and get you the best outcome possible.
If you wait too long to build a defense, it could become too late. Get in touch anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start putting together your case's defense today.
San Ramon, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being 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 remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. Dropping them or failing to find them could just be a result of stress, but it can give the impression that you're impaired. But if you already have them ready, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. 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 Automatically Consent to Tests
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: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Arguing with the officer won't improve your case — it will make things worse. This is about more than just avoiding an arrest in the short term; it also aids your defense: If you try to talk back or argue with the officer, you are giving the police more evidence, and depending on what you do, it could make you appear intoxicated.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in San Ramon?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or even if you refuse to be tested at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, typically using field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. While you're proceeding through the system, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, at which point, you're officially facing a license suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will be summoned to a court hearing, and a prosecutor will list out the laws you're accused of breaking.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll need to start fighting for your license right away. This starts with arranging a DMV hearing, which you need to do within 10 days.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. In the meantime, your San Ramon 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: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the San Ramon 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 the outcome of your case, you may face a punishment. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, we may be able to help you clean your record.
Our DUI legal experts can help you fight any allegation, on both the criminal defense and license side. No matter where you are in your case, give us a call so that we can help!
San Ramon DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
San Ramon, CA, DUI charges require particular expertise because there are two sides that each need to be defended: The criminal case and the driver's case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI defense lawyers will fight both.
Here are important factors for both case types, and ways we defend your liberty and vehicular rights:
San Ramon, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To protect yourself against the allegations, you'll need to fight in the San Ramon, CA, legal system.
Most of the steps in a DUI criminal case are identical to that of another criminal charge – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we build your defense and attack the accusations. We'll debate the legality of the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and look for witness testimony and other proof that can show you are not guilty.
If you're facing jail time in San Ramon, CA, our attorneys can help you avoid it. For many clients, we'll contact the district attorney on their behalf and negotiate a charge reduction, 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.
San Ramon, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a San Ramon 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 being arrested.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. 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 to participate in tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with a San Ramon, CA, DUI lawyer from our firm, we'll argue over the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get an extra chance to request that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a San Ramon DUI defense lawyer promptly after being arrested.
DUI Punishments in San Ramon
San Ramon, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to 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 the nature of the allegations:
| 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 San Ramon, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can turn your world upside down. 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 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 can result in removal from the country. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
Whether you are an immigrant citizen, are here on a work visa, or are anywhere in between, a San Ramon, CA, immigration lawyer can help you navigate the situation. 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
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 doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible 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 chance to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a San Ramon, CA DUI Attorney
Defending yourself against a DUI in San Ramon? It's critical to pick the right lawyer to defend your innocence. Your team needs the abilities, history, and ties to find the best outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your San Ramon, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling over 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: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We have experience working with the prosecutors in San Ramon and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: At the end of the day, results matter. And our results are great. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Take On in San Ramon
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in San Ramon, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared for the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI cases we have experience defending:
- 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 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 License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- 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
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
DUI Defense Strategies in San Ramon, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your San Ramon, 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.
Contest the Legitimacy of the Traffic Stop
If the officer didn't have probable cause to pull you over, or made an error when interviewing you, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense is a good option if, for example, the police officer did not properly calibrate the breathalyzer before administering the test, that evidence is invalid.
Flaws in BAC Tests
If your case is centered on a BAC test that put you over the legal limit, that can sound impossible to overcome. But it isn't. We will investigate whether or not the procedure was followed when administering the tests, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' 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. 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 over the legal limit. This may sound bad, but 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.
Get Rapid Assistance – Talk To Our San Ramon DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
San Ramon, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. Your license disappears, there could be interrogations, you're assigned a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. To fight through the allegations, your first step is to get in touch with a DUI defense lawyer immediately.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. 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 San Ramon, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case right now and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail as soon as you call. Speak with a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a confidential case review.
We also provide the following legal services in San Ramon, CA:
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