DUI Lawyer Orange. Orange DUI charges are very serious. You're not just facing the loss of your license; 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 that can even result in tougher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you don't want to be alone. 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 top 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 defend your rights in the Orange, 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 constructing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Orange?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you aren't tested at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, probably utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system starts moving towards 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 – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. In the meantime, the police are informing the DMV about the arrest, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, 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 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 Orange DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will communicate with the Orange prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy 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, it's possible that your record will be eligible for sealing.
Our DUI legal experts can help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and license side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, give us a call so that we can help!
Orange DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Orange, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and insights into how we protect your freedom and ability to drive:
Orange, 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 – 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 craft a staunch defense and fight against the charges. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can show you are not guilty.
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 alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Orange, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension doesn't wait for your criminal case, and if you want 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, 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 alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll question 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 schedule that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Orange DUI defense attorney right away after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Orange
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are misdemeanors, they can still result in up to 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 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 |
Beyond the Orange, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. 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
Up against DUI charges? It's crucial to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the skills, practice, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. The top Orange, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- 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 law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Orange and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. 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. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Orange
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Orange, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to battle 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
Don't Wait – Call Our Orange DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, things move pretty fast. Your license disappears, you might be interrogated, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. And that's why it's all the more important to hire a lawyer immediately.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Orange, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense today and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your freedom as soon as you call. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Orange, CA:
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