DUI Lawyer Turlock. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. You're being accused of a crime; depending on your history, you could go to prison. In California, you're required to participate in DUI tests if you're driving. Refusal to do so is another crime, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If the Turlock, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is available to protect you in Turlock.
We are California's premier DUI defense lawyers and decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of former prosecutors who know how to defend your rights in the Turlock, CA, legal system and get you the best outcome possible.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Get a hold of us 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start preparing your defense strategy today.
Turlock, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but even if you've done nothing wrong, you need to know how to navigate the situation. Below are four tips from a Turlock, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. If police see you fumbling as you try to gather these documents, they could think that you've been drinking. By keeping these documents on hand, you avoid that risk.
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 the right to remain silent during any form of questioning. Don't talk without an attorney present.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. This doesn't stop the officer from arresting you, but can decrease your chances of having this happen. However, you cannot legally refuse a BAC test once you are in custody, without losing your driving privileges.
Tip #4: Treat the Officer Respectfully
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't help — it will come back to bite you. This doesn't just help you get through the traffic stop; it also helps your defense: By acting out or arguing, you are giving the police more evidence, which may help justify an arrest.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Turlock?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or even if you refuse to be tested at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, typically using field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on their evaluation of you.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. In the meantime, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will go to court, 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 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. Meanwhile, your Turlock DUI defense lawyer will building the framework of your defense and filing motions to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While working through pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the Turlock prosecutor to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will go to trial, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're prepared to fight for your freedom in front of a jury, no matter what .
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case proceeds, you may face consequences. 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 help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. For advice on any stage with your charges, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
DUIs in Turlock, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Turlock, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the administrative case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and ways we defend your freedom and ability to drive:
Turlock, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – charges are formally filed against you, you'll probably be given bail and/or conditions of release, then your attorney will proceed with pretrial motions and negotiations. It's unlikely (but possible) that you'll reach a trial at some stage.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we build your defense and attack the accusations. We'll examine the lawfulness of the traffic stop, display flaws in the officer's analysis, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and hunt for other evidence that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Turlock, CA, clients from jail time. Commonly, 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.
Turlock, 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 doesn't wait for your criminal case, and if you want to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
It's typical for the criminal case to be, by and large, separate from 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 to participate in 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 the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Turlock DUI defense attorney promptly after an arrest.
Punishments After a DUI Conviction in Turlock, CA
Turlock, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – even though some are misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
On this table, you can review the different penalties you could be fighting 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 |
Beyond the Turlock, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and impacts on your employment.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. 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 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. If you are trying to become an American citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can set your efforts back by several years.
These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Turlock, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. 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 that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, defend you against efforts to expel you from the country, and assist you with the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found innocent or not, 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 can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. A Turlock, CA, DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
When You're Picking a Turlock, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's imperative to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the skills, preparation, and relationships to offer the best possible outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Turlock, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- 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.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Turlock and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. We are proud of our reputation with former clients 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. We want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Turlock
Administrative, criminal, or anything else related to DUIs in Turlock, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared help you navigate the charges.
This is a list of the DUI cases we frequently 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 Strategies in Turlock, CA
Whatever type of charge you're facing, our Turlock, CA, DUI attorneys can help you fight it. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Challenge the Legitimacy 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 could be used 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 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. Our team will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, re-examine the evidence to look for alternate explanations, and look for any issues in how the evidence was handled.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' 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. We will examine the evidence 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 our lawyers have more defense strategies we can pull from. 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 – Contact Our Turlock DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
Turlock, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, things move pretty fast. Your license is suspended, law enforcement might try to do additional tests, you get a court date…it's easy to be like there's no way forward. To fight through the allegations, your first step is to get in touch with a lawyer right away.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. 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 Turlock, CA DUI charges. We're available to help fast and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail today. Talk to one of our team members now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Turlock, CA:
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