DUI Lawyer Victorville. Victorville DUI charges are very serious. You're not just facing the loss of your license; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. 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 find yourself in this situation, 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 work with us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to protect you in the Victorville, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Don't wait and let your chance slip away. Reach out now at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Victorville?
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 via 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. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as 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, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the CA DMV, beginning the formal suspension.
- Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will announce what charges you're up against.
- 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: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Victorville DUI defense attorney will file pretrial potions, likely including some to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will work directly with the Victorville prosecutor to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. 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 just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case proceeds, you may face penalties. 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 license side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, give us a call so that we can help!
Victorville DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Victorville, 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 things to watch out for with both cases, and insights into how we protect your liberty and ability to drive:
Victorville, 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 look for evidence that can result in a not guilty plea.
The vast majority of our DUI clients in Victorville do not receive any jail sentence. 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 alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Victorville, CA, DUI License Suspension
On the other side of a Victorville DUI charge is the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension doesn't wait for your criminal case, 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 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 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 another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Victorville DUI defense lawyer immediately after an arrest.
DUI Punishments in Victorville
CA DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – 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 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 |
Beyond the Victorville, 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 want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. However, 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 lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
When you're facing DUI charges, it's essential to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the expertise, experience, and relationships to provide the optimal outcome for your case. The top Victorville, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- 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 law enforcement, 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: Relationships are key in negotiating strong plea bargains. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Victorville 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: 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. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Victorville
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Victorville, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared for the charges.
Here are some of the DUI case types we regularly 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 – Call Our Victorville DUI Defense Lawyers TODAY
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. The police officer takes your license, there could be interrogations, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel stressed out. With everything going on, your best way out is 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 sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Victorville, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case today and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your rights right away. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Victorville, CA:
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