DUI Lawyer Indio. Indio DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, 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 available to protect you in Indio.
We are CA's leading DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Indio, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Call today at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Indio?
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, likely via field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on the results.
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 can start the minute the officer arrests you – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. In the meantime, they are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will go to court, 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 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 Indio DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Indio prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges 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 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 license side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Defending Against Indio DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Indio, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. These are handled separately by the state, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and insights into how we protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Indio, 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.
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 protect your rights and attack the supposed wrongdoing. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, 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 result in a not guilty plea.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. Frequently, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.
Indio, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Indio criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, 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.
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 important to contact a Indio DUI defense attorney immediately after being arrested.
DUI Punishments in Indio
CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – even though some are 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 trying to avoid, 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 |
Beyond the Indio, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. Unfortunately, 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. Our DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you a chance to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
When you're facing DUI charges, it's important to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the expertise, practice, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Indio, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Indio and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. 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 Against in Indio
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Indio, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared for the charges.
Below are some of the DUI charges 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
Start Your Defense Today – Call Our Indio DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY
When you're up against Indio DUI charges, things move pretty fast. Your license disappears, they might try to do additional tests, you're given a court date…it's easy to be out of control. With everything going on, your best way out is to call a DUI defense attorney immediately.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't let your license go without a fight. 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 Indio, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights as soon as you call. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Indio, CA:
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