DUI Lawyer Hesperia. DUI law in Hesperia is complex. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse 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 don't want to be alone. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts 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 best DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of former prosecutors who know how to protect you in the Hesperia, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Reach out right away at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start constructing your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Hesperia?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or if you don't blow at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, often using field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on that.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as you're arrested – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. In the meantime, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, 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: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. In the meantime, your Hesperia DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Hesperia 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 penalties. 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 DMV side. No matter where you are in your case, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Hesperia DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Hesperia, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the administrative case. These are handled separately by the state, 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 driving privileges:
Hesperia, 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 pre-trial 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 attack the supposed wrongdoing. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. For several cases, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoavoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Hesperia, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Hesperia 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 alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll challenge 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 a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Hesperia DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after an arrest.
Hesperia DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – 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 trying to avoid, 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 increased insurance premiums and barriers between you and professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. 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.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
When you're facing DUI charges, it's crucial to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the expertise, experience, and connections to provide the optimal outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Hesperia, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling over 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 have experience working with the prosecutors in Hesperia and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. 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. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Hesperia
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Hesperia, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to defend you against the charges.
Here are some 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
Timing is Critical – Call Our Hesperia DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, things move pretty fast. You lose your license, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. With everything going on, your best way out is to hire an attorney right away.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount 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 defend you.
We're experts at defending all Hesperia, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case today and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your freedom immediately. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Hesperia, CA:
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