DUI Lawyer Linda Vista, CA

DUI Lawyer Linda Vista. If you're up against a DUI in Linda Vista, it can feel overwhelming. You're not just facing the loss of your license; 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 in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.

When you're up against the CA legal system, you need someone in your corner. Trying to fight against the prosecution 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 leading DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of former prosecutors who know how to protect you in the Linda Vista, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.

Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Get in touch 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start preparing your defense strategy today.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Linda Vista?

CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you aren't tested at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, likely utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.

Right after your arrest, 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 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. Meanwhile, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
Arraignment: While under arrest, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
DMV Hearing: As soon as you're released from jail, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. Meanwhile, your Linda Vista DUI defense attorney will file pretrial potions, likely including some 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 communicate with the Linda Vista prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy 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 how your case proceeds, you may face sanctions. 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 provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, call now and we'll be happy to assist!

Linda Vista DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Linda Vista, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. These are handled separately by the state, 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 how we fight to protect your freedom and license:

Linda Vista, 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 – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we build your defense and fight against the charges. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can show you are not guilty.

With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. 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.

Linda Vista, CA, DUI License Suspension

Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and to 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, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not 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. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.

If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Linda Vista DUI defense lawyer right away after an arrest.

Potential Penalties for a DUI in Linda Vista

CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.

In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be up against, 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

Beyond the Linda Vista, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and barriers between you and professional licenses.

After the Case: Expungement/Sealing

Whatever happens in the court case, 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, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a chance to clean your record.

Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Linda Vista: What You Need to Know

Up against DUI charges? It's important to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the skills, experience, and connections to provide the optimal outcome for your case. The top Linda Vista, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:

Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our lines are never off, and you can contact us 24/7.
Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Linda Vista 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: Winners win. It's as simple as that. And we win, a lot. 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.

Call our DUI Lawyers today for a free consult.

DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Linda Vista

Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Linda Vista, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to defend you against the charges.

Below are some of the DUI allegations we regularly defend:

Start Your Defense Today – Call Our Linda Vista DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY

When you're up against Linda Vista DUI charges, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. The police officer takes your license, you might be interrogated, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. And that's why it's all the more important to hire a DUI defense lawyer right away.

Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. 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 Linda Vista, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case right now and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your rights as soon as you call. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential consultation.

We also provide the following legal services in Linda Vista, CA:

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Los Angeles County(213) 341-4427
Sacramento / Sonoma(916) 248-4717
Orange County(714) 442-2601
Alameda / San Joaquin(510) 403-8809
San Bern / Riverside(909) 748-5272
Ventura County(805) 248-7408
San Diego County(619) 752-2235
Fresno / Santa Clara(559) 365-7055
Kern / Santa Barbara(661) 473-0422
Northern California(530) 427-4167

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Areas We Serve

Los Angeles County(213) 341-4427
Orange County(714) 442-2601
San Diego County(619) 752-2235
Ventura County(805) 248-7408
San Bernardino County(909) 748-5272
Riverside County(951) 329-9499
Alameda / San Joaquin(510) 403-8809
Santa Barbara(805) 791-2162
Sacramento / Sonoma(916) 248-4717
South L.A. / Long Beach(562) 786-8383
City of L.A. / East L.A.(310) 882-6466
Fresno / Santa Clara(559) 365-7055
San Fernando Valley(818) 614-9567
OC Coastal Cities(949) 891-0102
Bakersfield / Kern(661) 473-0422
San Francisco(510) 403-8809

Recent Results

Our client faced multiple serious charges in Los Angeles County, including Penal Code § 211 (Robbery), § 245(a)(1) (Assault with a Deadly Weapon), and § 245(a)(4) (Assault with Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury). Unlike a co-defendant represented by another firm who pled to a felony conviction with a "strike," our legal team pursued a different strategy. Through the submission of a comprehensive mitigation package to the District Attorney, we successfully negotiated a complete dismissal of all charges.
Our client faced serious charges under Penal Code section 211 for alleged felony robbery involving force and fear in Riverside County (Murrieta Court) . The prosecution argued that probation was not appropriate due to our client’s prior felony convictions in San Bernardino County, including a previous robbery in April 2021 and grand theft in November 2019. Despite the severity of these allegations, our legal team successfully demonstrated insufficient evidence during the preliminary hearing. As a result, all charges were dismissed. This outcome allowed our client to move forward without the burden of a new conviction.
Multiple defendants each facing 7 years charged with smuggling prescription drugs into California from Mexico our client was the only defendant who received NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 5 years for possession of deadly weapon we negotiated a plea for NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 3 life terms for multiple felony counts of Child Molestation and Sodomy with child we proved the charges were fabricated by victims mother DISMISSAL of all charges at preliminary hearing!
Strike case: Client charged with possession of methamphetamine facing 25 years we filed a Romero Motion which was granted case REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR!
Client's estranged girlfriend alleged Client broke into her room and choked her facing 14 years in State Prison we won at trial JURY ACQUITTAL.
Police allegedly discovered 3 bags of marijuana in client's glove box faced 6 years we filed a 1538.5 motion to suppress resulting in DISMISSAL of all charges!

Awards and Certifications

What our clients say Client Testimonials

I am truly pleased with my experience with the Law Offices Of David S Chesley. They answered all my questions and provided me with great advice and legal services. My case resolved quickly. Thank you! Rodrigo L.

I left court yesterday with my last case being wrapped up. Two court appearances and that’s it. He represented me in a couple of different cases and was impressive to say the least. Always a phone call or text message away. Confident and aggressive when he needed to be. Calming and thorough when meeting with me. Attorney Chesley did exactly what he said he would and I got the results I needed. He seemed to know all the right people at the Temple Street courthouse. You can always get in contact with him quickly and he is a great lawyer. I highly recommend his legal services. Ricardo Esteves

My brother was given a very caring attorney that was assigned to his case and we had very helpful case managers throughout the process. I strongly recommend David Chesley to anyone who is in trouble. I called in to get help on my brothers case and right away I liked their service. My brothers charges were eventually dismissed after the attorney got him into a program, now he could go on without the trouble of having anything on his record Erica Geller

I retained Mr. Chesley and his firm and from the beginning they were extremely professional both in communicating the status of my case to me, explaining the situation as a whole, and just downright taking care of business. It was money well spent for a job well done. Thanks again to David and Melissa others that worked on my case. I recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal representation. Don’t just accept things the courts force on you, call this firm and protect yourself. Elizabeth F.

I contacted Mr. Chesley and his firm because some unfortunate events had left me in a jam. Detectives were demanding I testify or be prosecuted for a crime I didn’t commit. (I wasn’t involved or even at the scene of the alleged crime when it supposedly took place.) Mr. Chesley explained to me that he had been through similar situations with his clients before and understood exactly what was going on. His response to what took place was nothing short of amazing. No matter how small my concern, Mr. Chesley addressed it in a timely manner. He advocated for what is right and empathized with me in dealing with the Court system. After meeting with the supervising D.A. and providing alibi evidence he was able to get me out the situation. I’m very grateful to have found him. Leon Hanley

I hired David Chesley for my criminal defense in 2012. he was recommended to us for is success results and his low fees. David is very smart and his professional legal advice was honest & much appreciated during these stressful time. David’s knowledge, advice, and communication about what we were to expect was reassuring and beneficial to me. He charged me a reasonable flat rate and didn’t charge me any surprise fees. In my case David Chesley was able to negotiate with the prosecution attorney for the best result I could hope for. He had success at getting my criminal charges dismissed with the judges approval. You will not be disappointed if you hire The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Britanny Givens

David is very professional, yet very casual. Although it is typically not easy to speak straight up with an attorney, he is very easy to talk to. He replied to my questions quickly and was available all hours. Not only did he get my case resolved with a dismissal, he went above and beyond and got me an expungement without me even requesting it. He never beats around the bush and tells you like it is. At the same time is willing to work overtime to get the results you request. I would use David’s services again in the future. Andrew A.

very satisfied being a client with the Law Offices of David Chesley.. Negin represented both my husband and I and got both our cases dis issued… Negin was on top of our cases she really cares and did everything she said she would do!!! thanks a lot Negin Rita K.

I don’t write many reviews, however this time I had to share my admiration and appreciation for this firm. Attorney Negin Akhavan is definitely a person you want representing you in any criminal legal battle. She is the clear definition of the frace “is not what you know, but who you know ” she is not only knowledgeable, she also has the relationships with the right people. I couldn’t be happier with the results she was able to provide. Thank you Negin. Gabriel V.

An old felony charge came up, so I hired David and his team in June, and he got me a release on my own cognition on a felony charge in July which has never happened to me, and got it dismissed in October. He was responsive when I called and always kept me updated. Got my case dismissed, was easy to work and handled everything for me. He did an excellent job. I highly recommend David Chesley for any criminal defense. Jason Corona

They really helped me out in a timely manner. I had a drug charge from 16 years ago and they dealt with it quickly. I can’t recommend them enough. If you have a criminal charges check them out they are awesome. Santiago L.