DUI Lawyer South Gate. If you're up against a DUI in South Gate, it can feel overwhelming. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; 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 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 navigate the laws and the courts is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.
We are CA's leading DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to navigate the South Gate, CA, legal system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Call right away 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 South Gate?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or if you aren't tested at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, often 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 – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. In the meantime, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, beginning the formal suspension.
- 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: As soon as you're released from jail, 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 South Gate DUI defense attorney will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to have an independent lab examine your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will contact the South Gate prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will go to trial, but if it reaches that point, we'll have a staunch defense ready for you.
- 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, 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. For advice on any stage with your charges, give us a call so that we can help!
South Gate DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
South Gate, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the DMV case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and insights into how we protect your liberty and ability to drive:
South Gate, 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.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we provide expert defense and push back against the supposed wrongdoing. 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 search for other witnesses or evidence that can exonerate you.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in South Gate do not receive any jail sentence. Often, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.
South Gate, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, 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, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not 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 work with us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
After ten days, though, you're out of options. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a South Gate DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after an arrest.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in South Gate
CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – 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 up against, 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 South Gate court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a chance to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in South Gate: What You Need to Know
When you're facing DUI charges, it's essential to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the expertise, practice, and connections to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your South Gate, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: Ideally from multiple sides of the legal system. 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: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our lines are never off, and you can contact us 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in South Gate 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 Against in South Gate
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in South Gate, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for 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 South Gate DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. Your license is suspended, they might try to do additional tests, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel stressed out. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to hire a DUI defense lawyer immediately.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. 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 South Gate, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense today and will begin protecting your license and your freedom as soon as you call. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a free, confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in South Gate, CA:
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