DUI Lawyer Torrance. Torrance 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. CA law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, 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 help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a fight you want backup for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to defend your freedom.
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 legal experts who know how to navigate the Torrance, CA, court system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Call 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start constructing your defense today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Torrance?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, 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 using field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for 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 – on the spot, 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, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, 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 Torrance DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will contact the Torrance prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be building a defense 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 the outcome of your case, you may face sanctions. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, we may be able to help you clean your record.
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, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Defending Against Torrance DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Torrance, 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 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 freedom and ability to drive:
Torrance, 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.
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 protect your rights and push back against the charges. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Torrance do not receive any jail sentence. 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 alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Torrance, 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.
At the administrative hearing, you're not facing criminal charges. 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 alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, 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 another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Torrance DUI defense attorney as soon as you can after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Torrance
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – while many are considered 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 up against, 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and barriers between you and professional licenses.
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. However, 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. A DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
Up against DUI charges? It's important to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the abilities, experience, and relationships to provide the optimal outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Torrance, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. 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. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
- Relationships: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Torrance 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: 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 want you to be our next success story.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Torrance
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Torrance, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is 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 – Contact Our Torrance DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
After a DUI arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. Your license disappears, they might try to do additional tests, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be stressed out. With everything going on, your best way out is to contact an attorney immediately.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't wait and realize that it's suddenly too late. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Torrance, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense right now and will start safeguarding your license and your rights right away. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Torrance, CA:
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