DUI Lawyer Rialto. Rialto DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And there are differences in DUI alcohol versus DUI marijuana cases, or other drugs.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you need someone in your corner. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a battle you need a team behind you for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.
We are CA's leading 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 accomplished defense attorneys who know how to protect you in the Rialto, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Rialto?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the 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, often utilizing field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on that.
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, and the police will take away your existing license. While you're proceeding through the system, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- 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: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Rialto DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones 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 attorney will negotiate with the Rialto prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case proceeds, you may face some form of sentence. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you may be eligible to have your record sealed.
Our DUI legal experts can help you out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. For advice on any stage with your charges, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Defending Against Rialto DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Rialto, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: 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 some things you need to know about both, and ways we defend your liberty and ability to drive:
Rialto, 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 – 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 build your defense and attack the charges. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, question the legitimacy of the officer's subjective observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can exonerate you.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. Frequently, 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.
Rialto, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry 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 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 BAC tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, 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 important to contact a Rialto DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after an arrest.
Rialto DUI Sentences and Consequences
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.
In this table, you can review 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 Rialto court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. 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.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Rialto: 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 secure a positive outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Rialto, 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: So that you can get help right away when you need it. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Rialto 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: 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 Rialto
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Rialto, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to battle against the charges.
Below are some of the DUI allegations we frequently 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 – Contact Our Rialto DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
After a DUI arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. The police officer takes your license, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be out of control. And that's why it's all the more important to hire an 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 hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Rialto, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case today and will start safeguarding your license and your freedom immediately. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Rialto, CA:
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