DUI Lawyer Santa Clarita, CA

DUI Lawyer Santa Clarita. If you're up against a DUI in Santa Clarita, it can feel overwhelming. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; 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 by declining, you could face even harsher 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 don't want to be alone. 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 here to fight for your rights.

We are CA's top 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 Santa Clarita, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.

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 today.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Santa Clarita?

CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you aren't tested at all. Officers are able to arrest you this way because CA allows them to make subjective judgements, often utilizing field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on that.

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 – at that time, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. Meanwhile, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
Arraignment: While under arrest, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
Pretrial Motions: You'll likely be given bail or released on your own recognizance. In the meantime, your Santa Clarita DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Santa Clarita prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
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 provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and license side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!

Defending Against Santa Clarita DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Santa Clarita, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. These are handled separately by the state, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.

Here are some things you need to know about both, and ways we defend your liberty and driving privileges:

Santa Clarita, CA, DUI Criminal Charges

Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.

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 build your defense and attack the allegations. 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 see if there's anything the police missed that can result in a not guilty plea.

With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. In many cases, 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.

Santa Clarita, CA, DUI License Suspension

While your Santa Clarita 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.

At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. 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 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.

After ten days, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Santa Clarita DUI defense lawyer immediately after an arrest.

DUI Punishments in Santa Clarita

CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.

Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:

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 Santa Clarita, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.

After the Case: Expungement/Sealing

After the case, regardless of the outcome, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you a chance to clean your record.

Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Santa Clarita: What You Need to Know

No matter what DUI alleges you've been charged with, 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 Santa Clarita, CA, look for these signs:

Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling more than 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: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Santa Clarita 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: Winners win. It's as simple as that. And we win, a lot. 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.

Call our DUI Lawyers today for a free consult.

DUI Case Types We Defend in Santa Clarita

Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Santa Clarita, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to defend you against the charges.

Below are some of the DUI charges we commonly defend:

Don't Wait – Contact Our Santa Clarita DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY

When you're up against Santa Clarita DUI charges, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. The police officer takes your license, there could be interrogations, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel overwhelmed. With everything going on, your best way out is to hire a DUI defense 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 just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.

We're experts at defending all Santa Clarita, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case now and will start safeguarding your license and keep you out of jail as soon as you call. 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 Santa Clarita, 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.