DUI Lawyer Torrance. DUI law in Torrance is complex. You're not just facing the loss of your license; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. In California, you're required to participate in DUI tests if you're driving. Refusal to do so is another crime, and the consequences you face might be even worse than a DUI conviction. 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 problem you shouldn't have to solve without help, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you.
We are California's top 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 experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to navigate the Torrance, CA, justice system and provide paths to positive outcomes.
If you want to build an effective defense, you need to act now. Reach out without delay at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start putting together your defense today.
Torrance, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Traffic police are just a part of driving. It's not exciting, but knowing what to do if you are in a traffic stop can help you avoid an arrest. Here are four tips from a Torrance, CA, DUI Lawyer for you that will guide you through your next traffic stop:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
It's normal to be nervous after being pulled over and asked for your ID, registration, and insurance. If you're struggling to locate them and keep hold of them, the officer may think you're intoxicated. When you're already prepared to give them to the officer, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
If there's a scent of alcohol on your person or in your vehicle, don't talk. You have Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
In California, field sobriety tests are voluntary unless you are under the age of 21 or are on probation. Refusing won't force the officer to let you go, but on its own, there aren't any penalties for refusing. 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
Being rude won't improve your case — it can end up making your case harder to defend. 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, which may come back up later in court.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Torrance?
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. The police can use other methods to determine whether or not you were safe to drive, typically with field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
Right after your arrest, 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 starts right away, when you're arrested – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. While you're proceeding through the system, they are providing a record of the arrest to the Torrance, CA, DMV, at which point, you're officially facing a license suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will read out the allegations that you are formally being charged with.
- DMV Hearing: Even though you might feel overwhelmed by the criminal charges, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: It's possible to be held in jail before your trial, but that's not very likely in DUI cases. In the interim, your Torrance DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to reexamine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will communicate with the Torrance district attorney to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if you end up on trial in front of a judge, your attorney should be refining a defense strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will 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 some form of sentence. 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 provide guidance for any charge, 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!
Torrance DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Torrance, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the driver's case. These are handled separately by the state, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and what our attorneys will do for your liberty and driving privileges:
Torrance, 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 – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we build your defense and fight against the charges. We'll argue whether the police had the justification needed to pull you over, demonstrate any present errors in the police officer's judgement, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Torrance, CA, clients from jail time. Commonly, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also avoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Torrance, CA, DUI License Suspension
Even though the criminal charges may sound like the more serious matter, don't neglect the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect regardless of where you're at in the criminal process, and to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. 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 to cooperate when the officer tried to test you, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll argue over the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you waited too long and it's past the deadline to request a hearing, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Torrance DUI defense attorney immediately after being arrested.
Torrance DUI Sentences and Consequences
Torrance, CA, DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – though you could 'only' be facing misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be fighting against, 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 Torrance, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and impacts on your employment.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences have the potential to be life-altering. If this is your first DUI, the good news is that you will likely be able to stay in the country. 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 can result in removal from the country. If you are currently applying to become a U.S. citizen, 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 Torrance, CA, immigration lawyer can help you navigate the situation. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know that you need someone who has knowledge of both immigration and criminal law. We have both: We'll explore diversion programs that can protect you from a conviction, fight to keep you in the country, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. However, 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 Torrance, CA, our DUI lawyers will also fight to protect you in this way, and give you a way to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Torrance, CA DUI Attorney
Up against DUI charges? It's imperative to pick the right lawyer to take your case. Your team needs the expertise, background, and connections to find the best outcome for your case. When you speak with Torrance, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you will work with a team of attorneys including former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 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: When your lawyer knows the district attorney you're up against, they'll use that to your advantage. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Torrance and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We are proud to be respected amongst our peers 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 Fight in Torrance
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Torrance, CA – all of our DUI defense attorneys are prepared stand by you against the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI charges we typically 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 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 Tactics in Torrance, CA
Our Torrance, CA, DUI lawyers will examine your case and suggest a defensive strategy that will maximize your chances of a positive outcome. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Contest the Legality of the Arrest
If the arresting officer failed to obey the rules for investigating a DUI, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense is relevant if, for example, the officer did not observe you for the full 15-minute period required before asking you to take a breath test.
Flaws in Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. We will investigate whether or not the procedure was followed when administering the tests, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' are standard practice for police officers to use. But you can still challenge them – they are not ironclad proof of guilt. We will audit the test records and look for expert analysis that will show your performance in a more favorable light.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
It's easy to feel like you're out of options if you were tested and your BAC was over the legal limit. Even though this is harder to fight, we won't give up yet. Medications and health conditions can create false positives – even just over-the-counter cold medicine often contain alcohol, which can linger in your mouth, impacting the test.
Don't Wait – Contact Our Torrance DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
When you're up against Torrance DUI charges, things move pretty fast. You can't drive anymore, law enforcement might try to do additional tests, you're given a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. And that's why it's all the more important to get in touch with aTorrance, CA, DUI lawyer as soon as possible.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. Don't lose your ability to drive without a fight. Don't hesitate and lose your freedom. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all Torrance, CA DUI charges. We're standing by to answer your call right now and will start protecting your driving privileges and your freedom as soon as you call. Speak with a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a no-obligation case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Torrance, CA:
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