DUI Lawyer Hemet. If you're up against a DUI in Hemet, it can feel overwhelming. 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 help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here 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 veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Hemet, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Get in touch today at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Hemet?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, often via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on your performance.
Once this happens, 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: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – at that time, 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 contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Hemet DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will contact the Hemet prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not 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 sanctions. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you may be eligible to have your record sealed.
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!
Hemet DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Hemet, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the DMV case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and ways we defend your freedom and ability to drive:
Hemet, 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.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we protect your rights and fight against the charges. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Hemet 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 alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Hemet, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
The criminal charges are not always relevant in the DMV hearing. In fact, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. 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 alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. 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 Hemet DUI defense lawyer right away after being arrested.
DUI Punishments in Hemet
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be facing, depending on how exactly your charged and your history:
| 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 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. However, your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. 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 a chance to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Hemet: What You Need to Know
When you're facing DUI charges, it's critical to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the expertise, experience, and connections to find the best outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Hemet, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. 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 Hemet 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: 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 Against in Hemet
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Hemet, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared to battle against the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI allegations we frequently 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 Hemet DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
After a DUI arrest, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license is suspended, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to hire an attorney right away.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. 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 protect you.
We're experts at defending all Hemet, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense right now and will begin protecting your license and your freedom right away. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Hemet, CA:
Payment Plans
