DUI Lawyer Santa Fe Springs. DUI law in Santa Fe Springs is complex. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. CA law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
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 ready to stand by your side.
We are CA's best DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Santa Fe Springs, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Reach out now at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start building your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Santa Fe 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 arrest you based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. Meanwhile, the police are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, which updates their records to show your license as suspended.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, 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. In the interim, your Santa Fe Springs DUI defense attorney will file pretrial potions, likely including some to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will negotiate with the Santa Fe Springs 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: 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 proceeds, 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 out, no matter where you are in the process, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. No matter where you are in your case, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Defending Against Santa Fe Springs DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Santa Fe Springs, 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 when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and how we fight to protect your liberty and license:
Santa Fe Springs, 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 – 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 defend your freedom and attack 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 search for other witnesses or evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Santa Fe Springs do not receive any jail sentence. For several 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 Fe Springs, 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 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, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. 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 question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
Outside of that ten-day window, 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 Santa Fe Springs DUI defense lawyer immediately after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Santa Fe Springs
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are misdemeanors, it's possible to receive 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 Fe Springs, CA legal sentence collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. 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 a chance to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
When you're facing DUI charges, it's key to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the skills, experience, and ties to provide the optimal outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Santa Fe Springs, 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, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Santa Fe Springs and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. 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. We want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Santa Fe Springs
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Santa Fe Springs, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared for the charges.
Below are some of the DUI case types 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
Timing is Critical – Call Our Santa Fe Springs DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
When you're up against Santa Fe Springs DUI charges, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license is suspended, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to contact a DUI defense 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 Santa Fe Springs, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case right now and will start safeguarding your license and keep you out of jail right away. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Santa Fe Springs, CA:
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