DUI Lawyer Culver City. DUI law in Culver City is complex. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; 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 when you refuse, you can face the same penalties as a high blood-alcohol level DUI. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
If the Culver City, CA, district attorney is coming after you, you don't want to be alone. 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 ready to stand by your side.
We are California's top 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 operate the Culver City, CA, justice system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Get a hold of us right away at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start crafting your case's defense today.
Culver City, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Below are four tips from a Culver City, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
It's typical for an officer to request for your license, registration, and proof of insurance during a traffic stop. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. By keeping these documents on hand, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
You never need to answer a question that might incriminate you. You have Fifth Amendment protections during the entirety of your interactions with the law. 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: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't improve your case — it will make things worse. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, though; it also helps your defense: When you resist or act disrespectfully, you are giving the police more evidence, which may come back up later in court.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Culver City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, or even if you aren't tested at all. The police can use other methods to determine whether or not you were safe to drive, likely through field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on how you do.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards 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 need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Culver City DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to reexamine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While working through pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will speak with the Culver City district attorney to find a positive outcome for you that avoids a trial through a plea deal. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case turns out, you may face some form of sentence. 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 out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and license side. For advice on any stage with your charges, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Culver City DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Culver City, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. This will always require two separate defenses, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and how we fight to protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Culver City, 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.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – 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 build your defense and discredit the accusations. We'll debate the legality of the traffic stop, display flaws in the officer's analysis, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can tell a different story.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Culver City do not receive any jail sentence. For several cases, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also search for a deal that protects your freedom and avoids any jail sentence.
Culver City, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect regardless of where you're at in the criminal process, and to successfully 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, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, the hearing is to determine if you were lawfully 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 hire us, we'll work to undermine the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Culver City DUI defense attorney immediately after the arrest.
DUI Punishments in Culver City
Culver City, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while many are considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be fighting against, depending on the allegations you're facing:
| DUI Criminal 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 |
Beyond any sentence that a judge in Culver City, CA, sentences you to, you also need to worry about collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and career setbacks.
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 any of the above situations apply to you, don't panic: Call one of our Culver City, CA, immigration lawyers to get immediate help. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you can rest assured that our lawyers can guide you through both your criminal case and your citizenship process: We'll explore diversion programs that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, fight against removal proceedings, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. You'll find, though, that 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. A Culver City, 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.
When You're Picking a Culver City, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors
Accused of a DUI in Culver City? It is crucial to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the proficiency, preparation, and connections to find the best outcome for your case. When you speak with Culver City, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our phones are ready for your call 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: 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 California.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. We want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Take On in Culver City
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Culver City, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared help you navigate the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI allegations 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 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 Culver City, CA
Whatever type of charge you're facing, our Culver City, CA, DUI attorneys can help you fight it. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Contest the Legality of the Arrest
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, you might be able to secure a dismissal of the charges. This defense is relevant if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.
Show Issues With Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
If your case is centered on a BAC test that put you over the legal limit, that can sound impossible to overcome. But it isn't. We will investigate whether or not the procedure was followed when administering the tests, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and advocate for you during the discovery process to identify flaws in the state's evidence.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are a typical part of any traffic stop that turns into a DUI investigation. But you can still challenge them – they are not ironclad proof of guilt. An experienced Culver City, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records and look for expert analysis that will show your performance in a more favorable light.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
It's easy to feel like you're out of options if you were tested and your BAC was .08 or higher. While this is can be difficult to overcome, you do still have viable defense strategies. If you have a respiratory ailment, or another medical condition, that could impact how the breathalyzer measures your BAC, we will use that as a part of your defense.
Don't Wait – Contact Our Culver City DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Culver City, CA, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. You lose your right to drive, there could be interrogations, you get a court date…it's easy to be lost. To fight through the allegations, your first step is to contact aCulver City, CA, DUI lawyer right away.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. 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 Culver City, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case immediately and will start protecting your driving privileges and your freedom as soon as you call. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a free, confidential case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Culver City, CA:
