DUI Lawyer Westlake Village. DUI law in Westlake Village is complex. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. 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 don't want to be alone. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you hire us, you're getting a team of former prosecutors who know how to protect you in the Westlake Village, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Call anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Westlake Village?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, probably utilizing field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on the results.
As soon as you're arrested, 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 can begin as soon as you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. In the meantime, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Westlake Village DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will contact the Westlake Village prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, you may face sanctions. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you may be eligible to have your record sealed.
Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and license side. No matter where you are in your case, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Westlake Village DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Westlake Village, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the administrative case. These are handled separately by the state, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and how we fight to protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Westlake Village, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – 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 provide expert defense and fight against the charges. 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 search for other witnesses or evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Westlake Village do not receive any jail sentence. For several cases, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoavoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Westlake Village, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and in order 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, 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 alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
After ten days, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Westlake Village DUI defense attorney right away after an arrest.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Westlake Village
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – 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 up against, 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 |
On top of whatever sentence you receive in Westlake Village court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Our DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a chance to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
Up against DUI charges? It's essential to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the abilities, history, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Westlake Village, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. 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 Westlake Village 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: 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 Westlake Village
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Westlake Village, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to battle against the charges.
Below are some of the DUI charges 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
Timing is Critical – Contact Our Westlake Village DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. The police officer takes your license, they might try to do additional tests, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. With everything going on, your best way out is to contact a lawyer right away.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Westlake Village, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense right now and will work on a strategy to defend 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, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Westlake Village, CA:
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