DUI Lawyer Whittier. Whittier DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. CA law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to defend your freedom.
We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Whittier, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Get in touch now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Whittier?
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, probably via field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on your performance.
Once this happens, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- 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. While you're proceeding through the system, they 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 tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. In the interim, your Whittier DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the Whittier prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not go to trial, but if it reaches that point, we'll have a staunch defense ready for you.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, you may face penalties. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, it's possible that your record will be eligible for sealing.
Our DUI legal experts can provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. For advice on any stage with your charges, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Defending Against Whittier DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Whittier, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. These are handled separately by the state, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and how we fight to protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Whittier, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, for which you will need to go through the CA legal system.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and fight against the allegations. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, 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 show you are not guilty.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. In many 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 alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Whittier, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, 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, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. Instead, the focus of this hearing is whether or not 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 fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, though, you're out of options. 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 Whittier DUI defense attorney right away after being arrested.
DUI Punishments in Whittier
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while many are considered misdemeanors, it's possible to receive a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be trying to avoid, depending on the nature of the allegations:
| 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 Whittier court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible 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
When you're facing DUI charges, it's key to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the abilities, history, and connections to secure a positive outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Whittier, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team that has former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our lines are never off, and you can contact us 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Whittier and all throughout CA.
- 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 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're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Whittier
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Whittier, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to battle against the charges.
Here are some of the DUI case types we commonly 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 Whittier DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
When you're up against Whittier DUI charges, it feels like there's no space to breathe. The police officer takes your license, they might try to do additional tests, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. And that's why it's all the more important to contact a DUI defense attorney 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 wait and realize that it's suddenly too late. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Whittier, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case now and will begin protecting your license and your rights immediately. Reach out to 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 Whittier, CA:
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