DUI Lawyer Santa Fe Springs. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. You're being accused of a crime; 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.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you need someone in your corner. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to fight for your rights.
We are California's leading DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to fight for you in the Santa Fe Springs, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Get in touch anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being pulled over, but knowing what to do if you are in a traffic stop can help you avoid an arrest. Here are four tips from a Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI Lawyer for you that will guide you through your next traffic stop:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
After being pulled over, but before the police officer approaches your car, grab your license, vehicle registration, and insurance documentation. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. But if you don't need to search for them, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
You never need to answer a question that might incriminate you. You have the right to remain silent during any form of questioning. Protect yourself by keeping quiet until your lawyer arrives.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
The state of California only legally requires drivers to participate in field sobriety tests if they are either under the age of 21, or are on probation. The officer may not like it, but they can't compel you to participate. 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
Acting belligerent and uncooperative 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 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, and depending on what you do, it could make you appear intoxicated.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Santa Fe Springs?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or even if you aren't tested at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, often utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on your performance.
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 – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and you will lose your regular license (at least for now). While you're proceeding through the system, the police are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll have just 10 days to begin the process of protecting your license.
- Pretrial Motions: Most people accused of DUIs in Santa Fe Springs, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. In the meantime, your Santa Fe Springs DUI defense lawyer will file pretrial motions, likely including some to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Santa Fe Springs district attorney to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be creating a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the result of your case, you may face sanctions. 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 guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. If you need help today, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
DUIs in Santa Fe Springs, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI charges are special because of their dual-nature: The criminal case and the administrative 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 insights into how we protect your justice and vehicular rights:
Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. And that means you'll have to go to Santa Fe Springs, CA, court.
If you're familiar with the process of other criminal charges, DUI cases follow the same format – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we provide expert defense and discredit 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 search for other witnesses or evidence that can exonerate you.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Commonly, we'll negotiate a plea deal 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.
Santa Fe Springs, 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 independent of the criminal case, and to successfully 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, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. Instead, this administrative hearing is focused on if you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused alcohol tests, 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 it's been more than ten days after your arrest, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to schedule that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Santa Fe Springs DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after the traffic stop.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Santa Fe Springs
Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – 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 facing, 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 |
Beyond the Santa Fe Springs, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and barriers between you and professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be devastating. On the bright side, most first-time DUIs at this time will not result in deportation. 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 conviction will qualify an immigrant for deportation. For individuals working on the naturalization process, even if you aren't deported, it hurts your application process.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a Santa Fe Springs, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, can provide assistance with all of your legal needs, not just against criminal accusations: We'll explore diversion programs with alternatives to criminal sentencing, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. It doesn't take long to realize, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. A Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also assist with this process, and give you a path to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Santa Fe Springs: What You Need to Know
Accused of a DUI in Santa Fe Springs? It is important to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the expertise, background, and ties to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Santa Fe Springs, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: If possible, both defending against charges and as government agents. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI lawyers have previous experience as judges, district attorneys, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. 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. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Santa Fe Springs and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- 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. If you're ready to join our list of successes, call now.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Santa Fe Springs
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Santa Fe Springs, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared to battle against the charges.
Here are some 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 Santa Fe Springs, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. There is no one-size-fits-all defensive strategy against DUI allegations, but below, we've listed out some of the most effective ones.
Contest the Legality of the Arrest
If the officer didn't have probable cause to pull you over, or made an error when interviewing you, your case could be thrown out on legal grounds. This defense is effective if, for example, the police officer pulled you over without probable cause, the entire traffic stop could be made invalid.
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 potential procedural errors, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and look for any issues in how the evidence was handled.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are standard practice for police officers to use. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. Your local DUI lawyer will inspect any records of the test and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Perhaps the officer properly conducted a breathalyzer test, and your BAC was over the legal limit. While this is can be difficult to overcome, you do still have viable defense strategies. 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.
Start Your Defense Today – Speak With Our Santa Fe Springs DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, it can feel like you barely have a chance to think. You lose your right to drive, you might be interrogated, you're assigned a court date…it's easy to be like there's no way forward. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to hire an attorney now.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't wait and realize that it's suddenly too late. 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 immediately and will start safeguarding your license and your rights now. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Santa Fe Springs, CA:
Payment Plans
