DUI Lawyer Reseda. Reseda DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. 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 there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you don't want to be alone. 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 ready to defend you.
We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Reseda, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Get a hold of us 24/7 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 Reseda?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or if you don't blow at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, likely via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
As soon as you're arrested, 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 your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. 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: 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: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. In the meantime, your Reseda DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Reseda prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will 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 penalties. 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. For advice on any stage with your charges, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Defending Against Reseda DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Reseda, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: 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 ways we defend your freedom and driving privileges:
Reseda, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
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 craft a staunch defense and push back against the supposed wrongdoing. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, 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 negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoavoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Reseda, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Reseda 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.
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 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 blow, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, you'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's critical to contact a Reseda DUI defense attorney immediately after an arrest.
Reseda DUI Sentences and Consequences
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while many are considered 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 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 Reseda court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and roadblocks when applying for 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. Unfortunately, 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. Our DUI defense team can also assist you with sealing/expunging records, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Reseda: What You Need to Know
Up against DUI charges? It's important to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the abilities, history, and ties to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Reseda, 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 law enforcement, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. 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 Reseda 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. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Reseda
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Reseda, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared for the charges.
Below are some of the DUI charges we commonly 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 Reseda DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, it feels like there's no space to breathe. The police officer takes your license, you might be interrogated, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to hire a lawyer right away.
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 Reseda, 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 right away. 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 Reseda, CA:
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