DUI Lawyer Compton. Compton DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; 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 that can even result in tougher 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 need someone in your corner. 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 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 accomplished defense attorneys who know how to protect you in the Compton, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Get in touch right away at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Compton?
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, likely 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. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. While you're proceeding through the system, they are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, 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 Compton DUI defense lawyer will file pretrial potions, likely including some to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Compton prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if it does go 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, we may be able to help you clean your record.
Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the 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!
Compton DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Compton, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the DMV case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, 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 driving privileges:
Compton, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Your DUI case will typically go through the same process as any other criminal charge – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and attack the charges. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can show you are not guilty.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Compton do not receive any jail sentence. For several cases, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Compton, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Compton DUI charge is the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and if you want 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. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll question 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 schedule that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Compton DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Compton
CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – while many are considered 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 facing, 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 rising insurance rates and barriers between you and professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. However, your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. 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 an opportunity to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, it's essential to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the skills, history, and connections to find the best outcome for your case. The top Compton, 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, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling over 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're familiar with the prosecutors in Compton and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We're proud to have received numerous accolades 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. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Compton
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Compton, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are 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
- 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
Start Your Defense Today – Call Our Compton DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
After a DUI arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. 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 be stressed out. And that's why it's all the more important to call a DUI defense attorney immediately.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. 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 Compton, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case now and will begin protecting your license and your freedom as soon as you call. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Compton, CA:
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