DUI Lawyer Westlake Village, CA

DUI Lawyer Westlake Village. DUI law in Westlake Village is complex. You're not just facing the loss of your license; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. 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.

When you're up against the CA legal system, you need someone in your corner. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to stand by your side.

We are CA's top DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Westlake Village, CA, legal system and get you the best outcome possible.

Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Get a hold of us anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start building your defense today.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Westlake Village?

CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, probably via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on that.

Once this happens, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:

Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as you're arrested – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. Meanwhile, the police are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, officially suspending your license.
Arraignment: After your arrest and before your release, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will give you a formal notice of the charges you're facing.
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: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. In the meantime, your Westlake Village DUI defense lawyer will be filing motions, including motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
Negotiations With the Prosecutor: At the same time as pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Westlake Village prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your 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 proceeds, you may face penalties. 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 administrative side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!

Westlake Village DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Westlake Village, 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. In CA, these are always two separate processes, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.

Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and how we fight to protect your liberty and ability to drive:

Westlake Village, CA, DUI Criminal Charges

Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.

Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – arrest, arraignment, pretrial activity, and possibly trial.

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we craft a staunch defense and attack the supposed wrongdoing. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can exonerate you.

With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our clients from jail time. Frequently, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsowork out probation over jail or prison time.

Westlake Village, CA, DUI License Suspension

While your Westlake Village criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about 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 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. 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'll likely have to endure the suspension. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to schedule that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Westlake Village DUI defense lawyer immediately after an arrest.

Potential Penalties for a DUI in Westlake Village

CA DUI criminal penalties are a lot to face – while many are considered misdemeanors, it's possible to receive a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.

In this table, you can review 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

You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as more expenses on your insurance and potential punitive actions from professional licensing organizations.

After the Case: Expungement/Sealing

Whatever happens in the court case, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. Unfortunately, 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.

How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer

When you're facing DUI charges, it's important to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the abilities, history, and ties to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Westlake Village, CA, look for these signs:

Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. 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. Our team is prepared to help you 24/7.
Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Westlake Village 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: 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 want you to be our next success story.

Call our DUI Lawyers today for a free consult.

DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Westlake Village

It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Westlake Village, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared to battle against the charges.

Here are some of the DUI case types we commonly defend:

Start Your Defense Today – Call Our Westlake Village DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY

After a DUI arrest, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license disappears, there could be interrogations, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. 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 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 defend you.

We're experts at defending all Westlake Village, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case today and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail right away. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.

We also provide the following legal services in Westlake Village, 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!

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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.