DUI Lawyer Carson. Carson 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 that can even result in tougher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you.
We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you work with us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Carson, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Call anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start preparing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Carson?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or if you aren't tested 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.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. Meanwhile, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. In the interim, your Carson 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: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Carson prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case turns out, you may face sanctions. 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 help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and license side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Carson DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Carson, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and insights into how we protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Carson, 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 build your defense and fight against the supposed wrongdoing. 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.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time. Often, 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.
Carson, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Carson criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget 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.
At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not 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. When you work with us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, 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 crucial to contact a Carson DUI defense attorney right away after an arrest.
Carson DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
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 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 a chance to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Carson: What You Need to Know
No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, it's crucial to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the skills, history, and connections to secure a positive outcome for your case. The top Carson, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- 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: So that you can get help right away when you need it. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Carson 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 in Carson
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Carson, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to battle against the charges.
Here 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
- Drug DUI
- Drunk in Public
- DUI Alcohol
- DUI and Professional Licenses in California
- DUI Causing Injury
- DUI Checkpoint Defense Attorney
- DUI Defense Costs
- DUI Expungement in California
- DUI Immigration Consequences
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Penalties
- 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 Carson DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. Your license disappears, there could be interrogations, you're given a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. And that's why it's all the more important to contact a lawyer right away.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. 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 protect you.
We're experts at defending all Carson, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case now and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your rights immediately. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Carson, CA:
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