DUI Lawyer Palm Springs, CA

DUI Lawyer Palm Springs. DUI law in Palm Springs is complex. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. CA law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.

If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you need someone in your corner. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.

We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you work with us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to defend your rights in the Palm Springs, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.

Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Reach out 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start constructing your defense strategy today.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Palm Springs?

CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you aren't tested at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, probably utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on your performance.

Once this happens, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:

Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. Meanwhile, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, officially suspending your license.
Arraignment: While under arrest, you will go to court, 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 Palm Springs DUI defense attorney will file pretrial potions, likely including some to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will work directly with the Palm Springs prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case turns out, 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 administrative side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, give us a call so that we can help!

Defending Against Palm Springs DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Palm Springs, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the DMV case. These are handled separately by the state, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.

Here are some things you need to know about both, and ways we defend your freedom and ability to drive:

Palm Springs, 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 protect your rights and push back against the supposed wrongdoing. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can tell a different story.

The vast majority of our DUI clients in Palm Springs do not receive any jail sentence. Frequently, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.

Palm Springs, CA, DUI License Suspension

While your Palm Springs 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.

The criminal charges are not always relevant in the DMV hearing. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. 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. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, 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 luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Palm Springs DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after being arrested.

Palm Springs DUI Sentences and Consequences

CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while many are considered 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 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

Beyond the Palm Springs, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.

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 keeps coming up and getting in your way. 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

No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, it's important to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the expertise, experience, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Palm Springs, CA, look for these signs:

Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. 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. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We have experience working with the prosecutors in Palm Springs 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. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.

Call our DUI Lawyers today for a free consult.

DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Palm Springs

It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Palm Springs, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to battle against the charges.

Here is a list of the DUI charges we frequently defend:

Don't Wait – Contact Our Palm Springs DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY

When you're up against Palm Springs DUI charges, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license is suspended, they might try to do additional tests, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to contact a DUI defense attorney immediately.

Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.

We're experts at defending all Palm Springs, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case right now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights right away. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a free, confidential consultation.

We also provide the following legal services in Palm Springs, 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.