DUI Lawyer Beverly Hills. If you're up against a DUI in Beverly Hills, it can feel overwhelming. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. If you declined to take an alcohol test, you can face separate charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And it doesn't matter if it was alcohol, marijuana, or another substance affecting your ability to drive.
If you find yourself in this situation, you don't want to be alone. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are California's DUI defense lawyers and decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you retain us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to navigate the Beverly Hills, CA, justice system and get you the best outcome possible.
If you wait too long to build a defense, it could become too late. Get a hold of us without delay at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start putting together your defense today.
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Below are four tips from a Beverly Hills, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. If police see you fumbling as you try to gather these documents, they could think that you've been drinking. But if you don't need to search for them, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
If either the officer alleges that they smell alcohol, or you can smell alcohol yourself, don't answer any questions. You have Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Don't talk without an attorney present.
Tip #3: Identify the Test Being Requested
A roadside exercise, a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) breath test and a post-arrest chemical test are different requests. Age, DUI probation, the circumstances of the arrest and the test requested affect the applicable rules. The California DMV explains license consequences for refusing or failing to complete a required PAS or chemical test. Do not assume that declining one test lets you decline every other test without consequences. Tell counsel exactly what the officer requested and what warnings were given.
Tip #4: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't help — it will increase your chances of getting in trouble. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also benefits 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 Beverly Hills?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, or even if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, typically with field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on your performance.
As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:
- Suspension: The officer may take your regular license and issue an order of suspension with a temporary license. For an otherwise valid California license that is not suspended or revoked for another reason, the temporary license permits driving for 30 days from the date the order was issued. Check the order and your current driving status. A license suspension proceeding is separate from the criminal case, and the DMV hearing request deadline is generally 10 days from receipt of the order.
- Arraignment: At this court hearing, the judge explains the charges and your rights, and you enter a plea. Some defendants attend after release; others remain in custody. If you are still in custody, the judge addresses bail or release conditions. Follow the date and location on your current court papers.
- DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, 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 Beverly Hills DUI defense lawyer will file pretrial motions, likely including some to throw out illegal evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will work directly with the Beverly Hills district attorney to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your 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 sanctions. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, our record clearing attorneys can help you get a fresh start.
Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. Whether you've just been arrested or are on the eve of your trial (or anywhere in-between), call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the DMV case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, 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 how we fight to protect your liberty and right to drive:
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. And that means you'll have to go to Beverly Hills, CA, court.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pretrial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we protect your rights and discredit the accusations. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and hunt for other evidence that can present an alternate narrative.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Beverly Hills do not receive any jail sentence. Commonly, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also work out probation over jail or prison time.
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Beverly Hills criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is independent of the criminal case, and if you want to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, the entire DMV hearing is about whether or not you were lawfully 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. These hearings have serious consequences that require an expert Beverly Hills, CA, DUI lawyer to navigate. At the hearing, we'll work to undermine the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, you're out of options. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Beverly Hills DUI defense attorney promptly after the traffic stop.
Beverly Hills DUI Sentences and Consequences
Beverly Hills, CA, DUI criminal penalties can leave a mark on your record for life – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, you could still be sentenced to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be facing, depending on what your charges are:
| Formal DUI Charge | 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences depend on the charged offense, the conviction record, immigration status and the benefit or proceeding involved. Criminal charges, removal grounds and eligibility for citizenship require separate analysis. USCIS guidance says two or more DUI convictions during the relevant statutory period can create a rebuttable presumption of a lack of good moral character; that is not a universal rule of permanent ineligibility. H.R. 875 concerns proposed changes to DUI-related immigration grounds. Check current official legislative status and any enacted text rather than treating a proposal as an automatic outcome. Have qualified immigration counsel review a proposed plea and your individual record.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a Beverly Hills, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know that you need someone who has knowledge of both immigration and criminal law. We have both: We'll explore diversion programs that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, fight against removal proceedings, and act as your guide through the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether your case ends in a conviction or an acquittal, it's natural to want to move on and leave this in the past. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A Beverly Hills, CA, DUI defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also assist with this process, and give you a path to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Beverly Hills: What You Need to Know
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's critical to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the proficiency, history, and relationships to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA, look for these signs:
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. We're available 24/7.
- Local procedure: Ask who will handle your case, how counsel will confirm the assigned court and hearing dates, and how the evidence and applicable law will guide negotiations with the prosecutor.
- Reputation: If your lawyer is known for successfully fighting DUI charges, that is a major positive. We are proud to be respected amongst our peers and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Take On in Beverly Hills
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Beverly Hills, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared to defend you against the charges.
This is a list of the DUI cases 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 Accident Defense
- 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 in Construction Zones and School Zones
- DUI License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Process – What to Expect
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Trial – Jury Trial Defense
- 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
- Illegal Traffic Stop – Probable Cause Defense
- Medical Conditions as a Defense to DUI
- Misdemeanor vs Felony DUI Overview
- Mouth Alcohol Defense to DUI
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Rising Blood Alcohol Defense
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Title 17 Violation of Breath and Blood Test Procedures Defense
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
DUI Defense Tactics in Beverly Hills, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Beverly Hills, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. Choosing the correct defense for your particular circumstances is essential in finding the best possible outcome. Below are some of the most effective ones.
Contest the Legality of the Arrest
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, we can argue for your case to be dismissed. This defense is relevant 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
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. Our team will look into any potential procedural errors, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are a normal part of the process when police are evaluating if someone is driving intoxicated or not. But ultimately, these are judgment calls on the part of the officer. We will audit the test records and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
While the police can make mistakes with breathalyzer tests, most of the time they perform them properly. This could be bad news if you were tested and your BAC was over the legal limit. While properly conducted BAC tests are hard to disprove, you do still have viable defense strategies. We can examine your diet and medical conditions to find alternative explanations.
Get Immediate Help – Talk To Our Beverly Hills DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
After a DUI arrest, it feels like there's no space to breathe. You can't drive anymore, law enforcement might try to do additional tests, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. To fight through the allegations, your first step is to speak to aBeverly Hills, CA, DUI attorney as soon as possible.
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 represent you.
We're experts at defending all Beverly Hills, CA DUI charges. We're standing by to answer your call immediately and will begin protecting your license and your freedom now. Talk to one of our team members now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a no strings attached consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Beverly Hills, CA:
