DUI Lawyer Vallejo, CA

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DUI Lawyer Vallejo. If you're up against a DUI in Vallejo, it can feel overwhelming. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; depending on your history, you could go to prison. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.

If the Vallejo, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you should consult with an expert to find your best path forward. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is just a call away in Vallejo, CA.

We are California's premier DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you choose us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to protect you in the Vallejo, CA, justice system and provide paths to positive outcomes.

While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Get in touch without delay at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start preparing your case's defense today.

Vallejo, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:

You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Here are four tips from a Vallejo, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:

Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. But if you already have them ready, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.

Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. You have Fifth Amendment protections both before and after an arrest. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.

Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
California does not require the majority of people to participate in field sobriety tests, and in fact, you can often refuse without penalty. The two main exceptions are if you are under the age of 21, and/or if you are on probation. If you haven't been arrested, you can decline to participate. However, California does require individuals to participate in in blood and breath tests after they've been arrested, and refusing in these circumstances will lead to an automatic license suspension.

Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't help — it will likely be something you regret. 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, and depending on what you do, it could make you appear intoxicated.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Vallejo?

California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or even if you don't blow at all. California allows the police to make a call about whether or not you were driving impaired regardless of your alcohol level, likely via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on how you do.

If you've been placed under arrest, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:

1. Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. While you're processing this, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, which means your license is officially suspended.
2. Arraignment: Before you are released, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
3. 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.
4. Pretrial Motions: Most people accused of DUIs in Vallejo, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. In the meantime, your Vallejo DUI defense attorney will building the framework of your defense and filing motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
5. Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Vallejo prosecutor 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 preparing now.
6. Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not 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 .
7. 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, we may be able to help you clean your record.

Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and bureaucratic side. If you need help today, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!

DUIs in Vallejo, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Vallejo, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the DMV case. This will always require two separate defenses, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI defense lawyers will fight both.

Here are some things you need to know about both, and what our attorneys will do for your liberty and right to drive:

Vallejo, CA, DUI Criminal Charges

Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To protect yourself against the allegations, you'll need to fight in the Vallejo, CA, legal system.

If you're familiar with the process of other criminal charges, DUI cases follow the same format – 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 defend your freedom and discredit the supposed wrongdoing. We'll argue whether the police had the justification needed to pull you over, display flaws in the officer's analysis, 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 Vallejo do not receive any jail sentence. For several cases, 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.

Vallejo, CA, DUI License Suspension

On the other side of a Vallejo DUI charge is the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and to effectively fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.

In many cases, the status of your criminal case doesn't have a huge impact on the DMV hearing. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. 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 work with us, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.

If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, you're out of options. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to set up that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Vallejo DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after the arrest.

Vallejo DUI Sentences and Consequences

Vallejo, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – 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 circumstances of the alleged offense:

On top of whatever sentence you receive in Vallejo court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and career setbacks.

DUIs and Immigration

DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. 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. If you are trying to become an American citizen, even if you aren't deported, it hurts your application process.

These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Vallejo, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we can help you in all aspects of your case: We'll explore diversion programs that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, represent you at deportation hearings, and assist you with the citizenship application process.

After the Case: Expungement/Sealing

After the case, regardless of the outcome, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. However, your arrest and/or criminal record won't go away on its own. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A Vallejo, CA, DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you a way to clean your record.

When You're Picking a Vallejo, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors

Defending yourself against a DUI in Vallejo? It's key to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the abilities, background, and relationships to secure a positive outcome for your case. The top Vallejo, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:

1. 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, district attorneys, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience with the law.
2. Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
3. Relationships: An attorney who knows the local prosecutor can use that relationship to their advantage. Our team will leverage our connections with the prosecutors in Vallejo and all throughout CA.
4. 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.
5. Track Record of Success: You don't want to trust your case to someone who doesn't know how to win it. Our attorneys do. 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 Defend in Vallejo

Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Vallejo, CA – all of our DUI defense attorneys are prepared to battle against the charges.

Below, you can review a list of the DUI cases we regularly defend:

DUI Defense Strategies in Vallejo, CA

When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your Vallejo, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.

Challenge the Legitimacy of the Arrest
The police need to follow rules when initiating a traffic stop and investigating a potential DUI. If they broke those rules, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense is relevant if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.

Flaws in BAC Tests
Fighting against chemical tests can be difficult, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will know how to look for flaws in them. We will look into any potential procedural errors, retest when possible, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.

Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are a normal part of the process when police are evaluating if someone is driving intoxicated or not. But you can still challenge them – they are not ironclad proof of guilt. An experienced Vallejo, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records and show whether or not you were fairly judged.

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. This may sound bad, but our lawyers have more defense strategies we can pull from. 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.

Get Immediate Help – Call Our Vallejo DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY

If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Vallejo, CA, it feels like there's no space to breathe. You can't drive anymore, you might be interrogated, you get a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. And that's why it's all the more important to speak to a DUI defense lawyer now.

Don't let the state decide how your case will go. Don't wait too long and lose your driving privileges. Don't just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to represent you.

We're experts at defending all Vallejo, CA DUI charges. We're standing by to answer your call immediately and will work on a strategy to defend your license and searching for positive outcomes today. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a confidential consultation.

We also provide the following legal services in Vallejo, CA:

• Criminal Defense Lawyer