DUI Lawyer Moreno Valley. If you're up against a DUI in Moreno Valley, it can feel overwhelming. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; 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 that can even result in tougher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
If you find yourself in this situation, you don't want to be alone. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you hire us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to protect you in the Moreno Valley, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Reach out 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start preparing your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Moreno Valley?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, 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, probably utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
Right after your arrest, 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 starts right away, when you're arrested – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. Meanwhile, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, 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. In the interim, your Moreno Valley DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will communicate with the Moreno Valley 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 preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not 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 sanctions. 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 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!
Moreno Valley DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Moreno Valley, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: 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 how we fight to protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Moreno Valley, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
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 provide expert 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. In many cases, we'll get the prosecutor 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.
Moreno Valley, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Moreno Valley criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and 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 focus of this hearing is whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to blow, 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're out of options. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Moreno Valley DUI defense lawyer right away after being arrested.
Moreno Valley DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – even though some are misdemeanors, it's possible to receive 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 |
On top of whatever sentence you receive in Moreno Valley court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. Unfortunately, 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. 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
Up against DUI charges? It's critical to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the expertise, experience, and relationships to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Moreno Valley, CA, look for these signs:
- 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 over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Moreno Valley 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 in Moreno Valley
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Moreno Valley, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to defend you against the charges.
Here are some of the DUI charges we typically 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 Moreno Valley DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
When you're up against Moreno Valley DUI charges, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. And that's why it's all the more important to contact a lawyer immediately.
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 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 Moreno Valley, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case now and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail immediately. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a free consultation.
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