DUI Lawyer Santa Fe Springs, CA

DUI Lawyer Santa Fe Springs. If you're up against a DUI in Santa Fe Springs, it can feel overwhelming. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.

When you're up against the CA legal system, you need someone in your corner. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to fight for your rights.

We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you hire us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to protect you in the Santa Fe Springs, CA, legal system and get you the best outcome possible.

Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get in touch now at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start building your defense today.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Santa Fe Springs?

CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, probably via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.

Right after your arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:

Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as 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 informing the DMV about the arrest, beginning the formal suspension.
Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Santa Fe Springs DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Santa Fe Springs prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will 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 sanctions. 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 provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. For advice on any stage with your charges, give us a call so that we can help!

Santa Fe Springs DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the administrative case. These are handled separately by the state, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.

Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and insights into how we protect your liberty and license:

Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI Criminal Charges

Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.

Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we craft a staunch defense and push back against the allegations. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can exonerate you.

The vast majority of our DUI clients in Santa Fe Springs do not receive any jail sentence. Frequently, 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 Fe Springs, CA, DUI License Suspension

While your Santa Fe Springs criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and if you want 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 focus of this hearing is whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to alcohol 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.

Outside of that ten-day window, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Santa Fe Springs DUI defense attorney right away after being arrested.

DUI Punishments in Santa Fe Springs

CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, it's possible to receive 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 how exactly your charged and your history:

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 Santa Fe Springs court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.

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. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. Our DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a chance to clean your record.

How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer

Up against DUI charges? It's important to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the skills, experience, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. The top Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:

Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. Our lines are never off, and you can contact us 24/7.
Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Santa Fe Springs and all throughout CA.
Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in CA.
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. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.

Call our DUI Lawyers today for a free consult.

DUI Case Types We Defend in Santa Fe Springs

Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Santa Fe Springs, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared for the charges.

Here is a list of the DUI allegations we frequently defend:

Don't Wait – Contact Our Santa Fe Springs DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY

DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be out of control. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to contact an attorney right away.

Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. 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 Fe Springs, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense today and will start safeguarding your license and your freedom as soon as you call. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free consultation.

We also provide the following legal services in Santa Fe Springs, 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!

Awards and Certifications

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.