DUI Lawyer Santa Barbara, CA

DUI Lawyer Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara DUI charges are very serious. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. CA law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, 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.

If you find yourself in this situation, you need someone in your corner. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.

We are CA'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 veteran defense attorneys who know how to defend your rights in the Santa Barbara, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.

Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Reach out today at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start building your defense today.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Santa Barbara?

CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you don't blow 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 arrests based on your performance.

As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:

Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. While you're proceeding through the system, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
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 Santa Barbara DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Santa Barbara prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be building a defense 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 how your case proceeds, you may face some form of sentence. 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 license side. No matter where you are in your case, call now and we'll be happy to assist!

Defending Against Santa Barbara DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Santa Barbara, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the DMV case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.

Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and ways we defend your liberty and license:

Santa Barbara, CA, DUI Criminal Charges

Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.

The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we provide expert defense and fight against the supposed wrongdoing. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.

The vast majority of our DUI clients in Santa Barbara do not receive any jail sentence. In many cases, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoavoid jail time with a probation sentence.

Santa Barbara, CA, DUI License Suspension

While your Santa Barbara criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget 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 your arrest.

At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. 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 rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to BAC tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.

If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Santa Barbara DUI defense attorney right away after an arrest.

DUI Punishments in Santa Barbara

CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – even though some are 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 up against, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:

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

You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and barriers between you and professional licenses.

After the Case: Expungement/Sealing

Whatever happens in the court case, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. However, your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.

Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Santa Barbara: What You Need to Know

Up against DUI charges? It's critical to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the abilities, experience, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Santa Barbara, CA, DUI defense lawyer:

Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Santa Barbara 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 CA.
Track Record of Success: Regardless of all of the points above, you want someone who knows how to get a positive outcome for your case. And we have a history of doing just that. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.

Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.

Call our DUI Lawyers today for a free consult.

DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Santa Barbara

It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Santa Barbara, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to battle against the charges.

Here are some of the DUI case types we frequently defend:

Start Your Defense Today – Contact Our Santa Barbara DUI Defense Lawyers NOW

When you're up against Santa Barbara DUI charges, things move pretty fast. You lose your license, they might try to do additional tests, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. And that's why it's all the more important to hire an attorney right away.

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 protect you.

We're experts at defending all Santa Barbara, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights right away. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential consultation.

We also provide the following legal services in Santa Barbara, CA:

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Los Angeles County(213) 341-4427
Sacramento / Sonoma(916) 248-4717
Orange County(714) 442-2601
Alameda / San Joaquin(510) 403-8809
San Bernardino County / Riverside County(909) 748-5272
Ventura County(805) 248-7408
San Diego County(619) 752-2235
Fresno / Santa Clara(559) 365-7055
Kern / Santa Barbara(661) 473-0422
Northern California(530) 427-4167

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Areas We Serve

Los Angeles County(213) 341-4427
Orange County(714) 442-2601
San Diego County(619) 752-2235
Ventura County(805) 248-7408
San Bernardino County(909) 748-5272
Riverside County(951) 329-9499
Alameda / San Joaquin(510) 403-8809
Santa Barbara(805) 791-2162
Sacramento / Sonoma(916) 248-4717
South L.A. / Long Beach(562) 786-8383
City of L.A. / East L.A.(310) 882-6466
Fresno / Santa Clara(559) 365-7055
San Fernando Valley(818) 614-9567
OC Coastal Cities(949) 891-0102
Bakersfield / Kern(661) 473-0422
San Francisco(510) 403-8809

Recent Results

Our client faced multiple serious charges in Los Angeles County, including Penal Code § 211 (Robbery), § 245(a)(1) (Assault with a Deadly Weapon), and § 245(a)(4) (Assault with Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury). Unlike a co-defendant represented by another firm who pled to a felony conviction with a "strike," our legal team pursued a different strategy. Through the submission of a comprehensive mitigation package to the District Attorney, we successfully negotiated a complete dismissal of all charges.
Our client faced serious charges under Penal Code section 211 for alleged felony robbery involving force and fear in Riverside County (Murrieta Court) . The prosecution argued that probation was not appropriate due to our client’s prior felony convictions in San Bernardino County, including a previous robbery in April 2021 and grand theft in November 2019. Despite the severity of these allegations, our legal team successfully demonstrated insufficient evidence during the preliminary hearing. As a result, all charges were dismissed. This outcome allowed our client to move forward without the burden of a new conviction.
Multiple defendants each facing 7 years charged with smuggling prescription drugs into California from Mexico. Our client was the only defendant who received NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 5 years for possession of deadly weapon we negotiated a plea for NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 3 life terms for multiple felony counts of Child Molestation and Sodomy with child we proved the charges were fabricated by victim's mother DISMISSAL of all charges at preliminary hearing!
Strike case: Client charged with possession of methamphetamine facing 25 years we filed a Romero Motion which was granted case REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR!
Client's estranged girlfriend alleged Client broke into her room and choked her facing 14 years in State Prison we won at trial JURY ACQUITTAL.
Police allegedly discovered 3 bags of marijuana in client's glove box faced 6 years we filed a 1538.5 motion to suppress resulting in DISMISSAL of all charges!

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What our clients say Client Testimonials

I am truly pleased with my experience with the Law Offices of David S Chesley. They answered all my questions and provided me with great advice and legal services. My case was resolved quickly. Thank you! Rodrigo L.

I left court yesterday with my last case being wrapped up. Two court appearances and that’s it. He represented me in a couple of different cases and was impressive to say the least. Always a phone call or text message away. Confident and aggressive when he needed to be. Calming and thorough when meeting with me. Attorney Chesley did exactly what he said he would, and I got the results I needed. He seemed to know all the right people at the Temple Street courthouse. You can always get in contact with him quickly, and he is a great lawyer. I highly recommend his legal services. Ricardo Esteves

My brother was given a very caring attorney that was assigned to his case, and we had very helpful case managers throughout the process. I strongly recommend David Chesley to anyone who is in trouble. I called in to get help on my brother’s case, and right away, I liked their service. My brother’s charges were eventually dismissed after the attorney got him into a program, now he can go on without the trouble of having anything on his record Erica Geller

I retained Mr. Chesley and his firm, and from the beginning, they were extremely professional both in communicating the status of my case to me, explaining the situation as a whole, and just downright taking care of business. It was money well spent for a job well done. Thanks again to David and Melissa, and others that worked on my case. I recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal representation. Don’t just accept things the courts force on you; call this firm and protect yourself. Elizabeth F.

I contacted Mr. Chesley and his firm because some unfortunate events had left me in a jam. Detectives were demanding I testify or be prosecuted for a crime I didn’t commit. (I wasn’t involved or even at the scene of the alleged crime when it supposedly took place.) Mr. Chesley explained to me that he had been through similar situations with his clients before and understood exactly what was going on. His response to what took place was nothing short of amazing. No matter how small my concern, Mr. Chesley addressed it in a timely manner. He advocated for what is right and empathized with me in dealing with the Court system. After meeting with the supervising D.A. and providing alibi evidence, he was able to get me out of the situation. I’m very grateful to have found him. Leon Hanley

I hired David Chesley for my criminal defense in 2012. He was recommended to us for his successful results and his low fees. David is very smart, and his professional legal advice was honest & much appreciated during these stressful times. David’s knowledge, advice, and communication about what we were to expect was reassuring and beneficial to me. He charged me a reasonable flat rate and didn’t charge me any surprise fees. In my case, David Chesley was able to negotiate with the prosecution attorney for the best result I could hope for. He had success at getting my criminal charges dismissed with the judge’s approval. You will not be disappointed if you hire The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Britanny Givens

David is very professional, yet very casual. Although it is typically not easy to speak straight up with an attorney, he is very easy to talk to. He replied to my questions quickly and was available all hours. Not only did he get my case resolved with a dismissal, he went above and beyond and got me an expungement without me even requesting it. He never beats around the bush and tells you like it is. At the same time is willing to work overtime to get the results you request. I would use David’s services again in the future. Andrew A.

Very satisfied being a client with the Law Offices of David Chesley. Negin represented both my husband and I and got both our cases dismissed. Negin was on top of our cases, she really cares and did everything she said she would do!!! Thanks a lot Negin! Rita K.

I don’t write many reviews; however, this time I had to share my admiration and appreciation for this firm. Attorney Negin Akhavan is definitely a person you want representing you in any criminal legal battle. She is the clear definition of the phrase “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” She is not only knowledgeable, she also has the relationships with the right people. I couldn’t be happier with the results she was able to provide.Thank you Negin. Gabriel V.

An old felony charge came up, so I hired David and his team in June, and he got me a release on my own recognizance on a felony charge in July, which has never happened to me, and got it dismissed in October. He was responsive when I called and always kept me updated. Got my case dismissed, was easy to work with, and handled everything for me. He did an excellent job. I highly recommend David Chesley for any criminal defense. Jason Corona

They really helped me out in a timely manner. I had a drug charge from 16 years ago, and they dealt with it quickly. I can’t recommend them enough. If you have a criminal charge, check them out; they are awesome. Santiago L.