DUI Lawyer Woodland Hills. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; depending on your history, you could go to prison. If you declined to take an alcohol test, you can face separate charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
If you've been accused of a DUI in Woodland Hills, CA, you should consult with an expert to find your best path forward. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts 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 California's leading DUI defense lawyers and decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you choose us, you're getting a team of legal experts who know how to defend your rights in the Woodland Hills, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Talk to a lawyer today at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense strategy today.
Woodland Hills, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Below are four tips from a Woodland Hills, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
After being pulled over, but before the police officer approaches your car, grab your license, vehicle registration, and insurance documentation. If police see you fumbling as you try to gather these documents, they could think that you've been drinking. By keeping these documents on hand, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: Be Silent When 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 the entirety of your interactions with the law. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.
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
Resisting the police won't help — it will come back to bite you. You should be respectful for more than its own sake, though; it also helps 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 Hills?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you BAC is below .08, or even if you refuse to be tested at all. The police can use other methods to determine whether or not you were safe to drive, likely via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
Once this happens, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. You can expect the following steps to play out in your case:
- 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.
- 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.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll have just 10 days to begin the process of protecting your license.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. Between your potential release and the trial, your Woodland Hills DUI defense lawyer will file pretrial motions, likely including some to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will bargain with the Woodland Hills district attorney to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Only a small percentage of DUI charges go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the result of your case, you may face consequences. 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 provide guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. No matter where you are in your case, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
DUIs in Woodland Hills, CA and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Woodland Hills, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the driver's case. These are handled separately by the state, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our DUI defense lawyers will fight both.
Here are important factors for both case types, and insights into how we protect your freedom and license:
Woodland Hills, 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 – 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 allegations. We'll argue whether the police had the justification needed to pull you over, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and hunt for other evidence that can tell a different story.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Woodland Hills, CA. Often, we'll get the prosecutor to reduce the charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also search for a deal that protects your freedom and avoids any jail sentence.
Woodland Hills, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Woodland Hills criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and to successfully fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
The criminal charges are not always relevant in the DMV hearing. In fact, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, the focus of this hearing is whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to participate in tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you waited too long and it's past the deadline to request a hearing, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to arrange for that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Woodland Hills DUI defense lawyer without delay after being arrested.
Punishments After a DUI Conviction in Woodland Hills, CA
Woodland Hills, CA, DUI criminal penalties can be harsh – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, you could still end up with 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 how exactly your charged and your history:
| DUI Criminal Charge | 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 Woodland Hills court, you have to endure several collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and career setbacks.
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 Hills, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know that you need someone who has knowledge of both immigration and criminal law. We have both: We'll explore diversion programs that can protect you from a conviction, represent you at deportation hearings, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, you're liking looking forward to putting this all behind you. The bad news is that your arrest and/or criminal record can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. A Woodland Hills, CA, DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you a way to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Woodland Hills: What You Need to Know
Accused of a DUI in Woodland Hills? It is important to pick the right lawyer to take your case. Your team needs the talent, preparation, and ties to find the best outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your Woodland Hills, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our offices are always available if you need to talk 24/7.
- 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 Hills
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Woodland Hills, CA – our DUI defense attorneys are prepared to battle against the charges.
Here are some of the DUI case types 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
- Driving Without Insurance
- Drug DUI
- Drunk in Public
- DUI Alcohol
- DUI Accident Defense
- DUI and Professional Licenses in California
- DUI Blood Test Defense
- DUI Causing Injury
- DUI Checkpoint Defense Attorney
- DUI Defense Costs
- DUI Expungement in California
- DUI Immigration Consequences
- DUI in Construction Zones and School Zones
- DUI License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Process – What to Expect
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Trial – Jury Trial Defense
- DUI Penalties
- DUI with Child Passenger
- 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
- Illegal Traffic Stop – Probable Cause Defense
- Medical Conditions as a Defense to DUI
- Misdemeanor vs Felony DUI Overview
- Mouth Alcohol Defense to DUI
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Rising Blood Alcohol Defense
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Title 17 Violation of Breath and Blood Test Procedures Defense
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
DUI Defense Strategies in Woodland Hills, CA
Every DUI case needs a defensive strategy, and our Woodland Hills, CA DUI defense lawyers are here to help you find the right one. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Contest the Legality of the Traffic Stop
If the police did not follow proper procedure while stopping and examining you, you might be able to secure a dismissal of the charges. This defense is effective if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.
Flaws in Chemical Tests
If your case is centered on a BAC test that put you over the legal limit, that can sound impossible to overcome. But it isn't. Our team will look into any potential procedural errors, retest when possible, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are often used by officers to evaluate whether someone is impaired or not. But you can still challenge them – they are not ironclad proof of guilt. We will examine the evidence and provide additional context for your performance, such as the stress of the situation.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Perhaps the officer properly conducted a breathalyzer test, and your BAC was .08 or higher. Even though this is harder to fight, our lawyers have more defense strategies we can pull from. If you have a respiratory ailment, or another medical condition, that could impact how the breathalyzer measures your BAC, we will use that as a part of your defense.
Don't Wait – Speak With Our Woodland Hills DUI Defense Lawyers NOW
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in Woodland Hills, CA, it feels like there's no space to breathe. The police officer takes your license, law enforcement might try to do additional tests, you get a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. What you need to do is call an attorney immediately.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't try to handle it on your own. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all Woodland Hills, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case today and will start protecting your driving privileges and your rights right away. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or set up an appointment online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Woodland Hills, CA:
