DUI Lawyer Downey. DUI law in Downey is complex. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; 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 by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need someone in your corner. 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 here 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 former prosecutors who know how to navigate the Downey, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Reach out anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start constructing your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Downey?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you aren't tested at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, probably utilizing field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on that.
Once this happens, 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 can begin as soon as you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. Meanwhile, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
- 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: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. Meanwhile, your Downey DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will contact the Downey prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will go to trial, but if it reaches that point, we'll have a staunch defense ready for you.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, you may face some form of sentence. 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 license side. No matter where you are in your case, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Downey DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Downey, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the license suspension. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and insights into how we protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Downey, 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 – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly 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, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can show you are not guilty.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Downey do not receive any jail sentence. For several cases, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.
Downey, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Downey criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about 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.
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 hearing is to determine if 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.
Outside of that ten-day window, 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 important to contact a Downey DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after an arrest.
Downey DUI Sentences and Consequences
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.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the nature of the allegations:
| 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 Downey, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Downey: What You Need to Know
Up against DUI charges? It's crucial to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the expertise, practice, and relationships to provide the optimal outcome for your case. The top Downey, 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, you get a team that has 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. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Downey 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: 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're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Downey
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Downey, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared for the charges.
Below are some 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
- 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 – Call Our Downey DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
After a DUI arrest, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license disappears, there could be interrogations, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. With everything going on, your best way out is to hire an attorney right away.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Downey, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights as soon as you call. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Downey, CA:
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