DUI Lawyer West Covina. West Covina DUI charges are very serious. You're not just facing the loss of your license; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. CA law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you don't want to be alone. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.
We are CA's best 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 veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the West Covina, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Call right away at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start constructing your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in West Covina?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you don't blow at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, likely via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on that.
Once this happens, 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 starts right away, when you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. In the meantime, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. In the interim, your West Covina DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the West Covina prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges 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 proceeds, 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 license side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
West Covina DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
West Covina, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the DMV case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, 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 insights into how we protect your liberty and license:
West Covina, 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 – 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 craft a staunch defense and fight against the allegations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can result in a not guilty plea.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time. In many cases, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
West Covina, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your West Covina criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
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, the hearing is to determine if you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to BAC 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.
After ten days, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a West Covina DUI defense lawyer immediately after an arrest.
West Covina DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – even though some are misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be trying to avoid, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| 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 West Covina, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, 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 may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, it's important to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the expertise, history, and relationships to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in West Covina, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. 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: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We have experience working with the prosecutors in West Covina and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is proud to have received top ratings from several legal evaluators and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in CA.
- 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. We want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in West Covina
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in West Covina, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared to battle against the charges.
Here are some of the DUI case types we often 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
Don't Wait – Call Our West Covina DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. You lose your license, they might try to do additional tests, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. And that's why it's all the more important to hire an attorney right away.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all West Covina, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense now and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail right away. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in West Covina, CA:
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