DUI Lawyer Woodland, CA

DUI Lawyer Woodland. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. California law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse 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 should consult with an expert to find your best path forward. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a problem you shouldn't have to solve without help, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is available to protect you in Woodland.

We are California's top DUI defense lawyers and decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you work with us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to defend your rights in the Woodland, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.

Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Call 24/7 at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start crafting your defense today.

Woodland, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:

Traffic police are just a part of driving. It's not exciting, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Here are four tips from a Woodland, CA, DUI Lawyer for you which can protect you from arrests and charges:

Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
After being pulled over, but before the police officer approaches your car, grab your license, vehicle registration, and insurance documentation. With an officer staring you down, asking for documents you may not have had to touch in months, it's easy to get flustered. By following this tip, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.

Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
If either the officer alleges that they smell alcohol, or you can smell alcohol yourself, don't answer any questions. You have the right to remain silent during any form of questioning. Don't talk without an attorney present.

Tip #3: Identify the Test Being Requested
A roadside exercise, a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) breath test and a post-arrest chemical test are different requests. Age, DUI probation, the circumstances of the arrest and the test requested affect the applicable rules. The California DMV explains license consequences for refusing or failing to complete a required PAS or chemical test. Do not assume that declining one test lets you decline every other test without consequences. Tell counsel exactly what the officer requested and what warnings were given.

Tip #4: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Being rude won't help — it will come back to bite you. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also benefits your defense: Any time you open your mouth, whether or not the police asked you a question, you are giving the police more evidence, and depending on what you do, it could make you appear intoxicated.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Woodland?

California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or even if you don't undergo any tests at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, generally with field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on your performance.

Right after your arrest, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. Most DUI cases in Woodland, CA, follow this progression:

1. Suspension: The officer may take your regular license and issue an order of suspension with a temporary license. For an otherwise valid California license that is not suspended or revoked for another reason, the temporary license permits driving for 30 days from the date the order was issued. Check the order and your current driving status. A license suspension proceeding is separate from the criminal case, and the DMV hearing request deadline is generally 10 days from receipt of the order.
2. Arraignment: At this court hearing, the judge explains the charges and your rights, and you enter a plea. Some defendants attend after release; others remain in custody. If you are still in custody, the judge addresses bail or release conditions. Follow the date and location on your current court papers.
3. DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll have just 10 days to begin the process of protecting your license.
4. Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Meanwhile, your Woodland DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
5. Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will bargain with the Woodland district attorney to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if the case goes to trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
6. Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not go to trial, but if it reaches that point, we'll have a staunch defense ready for you.
7. Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on how your case proceeds, you may face sanctions. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, our record clearing attorneys can help you get a fresh start.

Our DUI legal experts can provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and bureaucratic side. If you need help today, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!

Woodland DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Woodland, CA, DUI charges are special because of their dual-nature: The criminal case and the driver's case. These will never be handled in the same hearing, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.

Here are descriptions of both case categories, and what our attorneys will do for your justice and ability to drive:

Woodland, CA, DUI Criminal Charges

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

The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – charges are formally filed against you, you'll probably be given bail and/or conditions of release, then your attorney will proceed with pretrial motions and negotiations. It's unlikely (but possible) that you'll reach a trial at some stage.

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we listen to your side of the story and discredit the criminal accusations. We'll examine the lawfulness of the traffic stop, demonstrate any present errors in the police officer's judgement, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can present an alternate narrative.

We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Woodland, CA. In many cases, we'll negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also avoid jail time with a probation sentence.

Woodland, CA, DUI License Suspension

While it might be tempting to focus exclusively on the criminal case, you also need to consider the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect regardless of where you're at in the criminal process, 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, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. Instead, the outcome of the DMV hearing hinges on whether or not you were lawfully 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 a Woodland, CA, DUI lawyer from our firm, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.

After ten days, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Woodland DUI defense attorney right away after being arrested.

Punishments After a DUI Conviction in Woodland, CA

Woodland, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, they can still result in up to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.

Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be looking to avoid, depending on the nature of the allegations:

In addition to any criminal sentence in Woodland, CA, you're also facing collateral consequences, such as elevated insurance costs and impacts on your employment.

DUIs and Immigration

DUI immigration consequences depend on the charged offense, the conviction record, immigration status and the benefit or proceeding involved. Criminal charges, removal grounds and eligibility for citizenship require separate analysis. USCIS guidance says two or more DUI convictions during the relevant statutory period can create a rebuttable presumption of a lack of good moral character; that is not a universal rule of permanent ineligibility. H.R. 875 concerns proposed changes to DUI-related immigration grounds. Check current official legislative status and any enacted text rather than treating a proposal as an automatic outcome. Have qualified immigration counsel review a proposed plea and your individual record.

These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Woodland, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we don't stop at just defending you against the criminal charge: We'll explore diversion programs to protect your record, represent you at deportation hearings, and act as your guide through the citizenship application process.

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. It doesn't take long to realize, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, there's a chance you're eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A Woodland, CA, DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you a chance to clean your record.

When You're Picking a Woodland, CA, DUI Lawyer, Consider These Factors

Accused of a DUI in Woodland? It is important to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the abilities, history, and contacts to offer the best possible outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Woodland, CA, look for these signs:

1. Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. You can speak with one of our team members 24/7.
2. Local procedure: Ask who will handle your case, how counsel will confirm the assigned court and hearing dates, and how the evidence and applicable law will guide negotiations with the prosecutor.
3. Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.

Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.

DUI Case Types We Fight in Woodland

Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Woodland, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared for the charges.

Below are some of the DUI allegations we have experience defending:

DUI Defense Tactics in Woodland, CA

Every DUI case needs a defensive strategy, and our Woodland, CA DUI defense lawyers are here to help you find the right one. Choosing the correct defense for your particular circumstances is essential in finding the best possible outcome. Below are some of the most effective ones.

Contest the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, we can argue for your case to be dismissed. This defense is a good option if, for example, the officer did not observe you for the full 15-minute period required before asking you to take a breath test.

Show Issues With Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
Fighting against chemical tests can be difficult, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will know how to look for flaws in them. We will look into any issues with how the equipment was stored or used, push for tests to be redone, and advocate for you during the discovery process to identify flaws in the state's evidence.

Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are standard practice for police officers to use. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. Our attorneys will review the footage and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.

Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
In most cases, law enforcement will follow proper procedure when testing your blood alcohol level. Let's say that this is true for your stop, and your BAC was over the legal limit. While this is can be difficult to overcome, it's not the end of your case. We can examine your diet and medical conditions to find alternative explanations.

Get Immediate Help – Talk To Our Woodland DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY

DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, it can feel like you don't even have time to think. Your license is suspended, you might be interrogated, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to be lost. What you need to do is contact a DUI defense lawyer immediately.

Don't give up and let the district attorney win. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.

We're experts at defending all Woodland, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense right now and will begin protecting your license and your freedom today. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a free consultation.

We also provide the following legal services in Woodland, CA:

• Criminal Defense Lawyer