DUI Lawyer Commerce. Commerce 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. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, 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 don't want to be alone. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts 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 leading DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to defend your rights in the Commerce, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start building your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Commerce?
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. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, probably via field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on your performance.
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 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. While you're proceeding through the system, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will go to court, 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 want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. In the meantime, your Commerce DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress evidence, 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 lawyer will communicate with the Commerce prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will 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, 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 administrative side. For advice on any stage with your charges, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Defending Against Commerce DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Commerce, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the administrative case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and how we fight to protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Commerce, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pre-trial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and attack the allegations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can exonerate you.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Commerce do not receive any jail sentence. Often, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoavoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Commerce, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Commerce DUI charge is 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, 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 blow, 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.
If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Commerce DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after an arrest.
Commerce DUI Sentences and Consequences
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.
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 |
Beyond the Commerce, CA legal sentence 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 want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. Our DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you an opportunity 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 defend you. Your team needs the expertise, practice, and ties to secure a positive outcome for your case. The top Commerce, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and police, 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 Commerce and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. 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: At the end of the day, results matter. And our results are great. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Commerce
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Commerce, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to defend you against the charges.
Here is a list 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
- 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
Don't Wait – Call Our Commerce DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license is suspended, 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 call 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 protect you.
We're experts at defending all Commerce, 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 as soon as you call. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Commerce, CA:
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