DUI Lawyer Azusa. DUI law in Azusa is complex. You're being accused of a crime; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. California law also prohibits you from refusing to take a DUI test, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need someone in your corner. Trying to defeat the allegations is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to fight for your rights.
We are California's top DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you choose us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to protect you in the Azusa, CA, legal system and find the best result for your case.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Get in touch without delay at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start putting together your defense strategy today.
Azusa, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but knowing how to handle the situation is important for all Azusa, CA, residents. Below are four tips from a Azusa, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to remember if you're ever pulled over:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
It's normal to be nervous after being pulled over and asked for your ID, registration, and insurance. 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 keeping these documents on hand, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
You never need to answer a question that might incriminate you. You have the right to remain silent both before and after an arrest. Don't talk without an attorney present.
Tip #3: Don't Participate in Field Sobriety Tests, Unless Required
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. You can still be arrested if the officer believes you've broken the law, but you're giving them less evidence this way. However, California does require individuals to participate in in blood and breath tests after they've been arrested, and refusing in these circumstances will lead to an automatic license suspension.
Tip #4: Respect the Law Enforcement Officer
Being rude won't improve your case — it can end up making your case harder to defend. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, though; it also aids your defense: If you try to talk back or argue with the officer, you are giving the police more evidence, which may come back up later in court.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Azusa?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or even if you refuse to be tested at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, probably using field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on your performance.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension starts right away, when you're arrested – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. While you're processing this, the police are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will attend a hearing, and a prosecutor will list out the laws you're accused of breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Even though you might feel overwhelmed by the criminal charges, you'll need to start fighting for your license right away. This starts with arranging a DMV hearing, which you need to do within 10 days.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. While you're waiting for the trial, your Azusa DUI defense attorney will be filing motions, including motions to review the arrest footage, 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 lawyer will bargain with the Azusa district attorney to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if you do have to fight the charges in a 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 how you plea or are found, you may face penalties. 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 with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. If you're facing a potential conviction, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Azusa DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Azusa, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the driver's case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are descriptions of both case categories, and what our attorneys will do for your justice and driving privileges:
Azusa, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
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 craft a staunch defense and dissect the charges. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, demonstrate any present errors in the police officer's judgement, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and hunt for other evidence that can present an alternate narrative.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Azusa, CA. Commonly, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also avoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Azusa, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Azusa criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and in order 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, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. Instead, the entire DMV hearing is about whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, you're out of luck. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to request that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Azusa DUI defense attorney right away after an arrest.
Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Azusa, CA
Azusa, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, you could still end up with a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Below, you can read through the different penalties you could be looking to avoid, depending on the allegations you're facing:
| Formal DUI 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 |
In addition to any criminal sentence in Azusa, CA, you're also facing collateral consequences, such as loss or increased expense of insurance and barriers between you and professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. If this is your first DUI, the good news is that you will likely be able to stay in the country. The bad news is that if you have faced DUI charges before, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI will be put on the same level as serious felonies when it comes to immigration consequenceses. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a Azusa, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. 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 will protect you from the harshest outcomes, fight against removal proceedings, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found innocent or not, you'll want to get back to life as normal, before the charges. However, your arrest and/or criminal record can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A Azusa, CA, DUI defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also assist with this process, and give you a path to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Azusa, CA DUI Attorney
Accused of a DUI in Azusa? It is crucial to pick the right lawyer to defend your innocence. Your team needs the expertise, preparation, and ties to offer the best possible outcome for your case. The top Azusa, 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, you get a team that has former judges, district attorneys, and police, totalling over five decades of experience handling cases.
- Availability: So that you can get help right away when you need it. You can speak with one of our team members 24/7.
- Relationships: An attorney who knows the local prosecutor can use that relationship to their advantage. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Azusa and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Having a good reputation as someone who secures positive outcomes for clients is essential. We are proud to be respected amongst our peers and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: You want to work with an attorney who has successfully fought DUI charges in the past. We have. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. With us, you can take advantage of a team that knows how to secure positive outcomes for our clients.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Azusa
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in Azusa, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to battle against the charges.
Here are some of the DUI cases 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 Tactics in Azusa, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your Azusa, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all defensive strategy against DUI allegations, but below, we've listed out some of the most effective ones.
Challenge the Legality of the Arrest
If the officer didn't have probable cause to pull you over, or made an error when interviewing you, you might be able to secure a dismissal of the charges. This defense is a good option if, for example, the police officer pulled you over without probable cause, the entire traffic stop could be made invalid.
Flaws in Chemical Tests
Chemical tests that measure the amount of alcohol in your blood, breath, or urine are strong evidence, but are not infallible. We will investigate whether or not the procedure was followed when administering the tests, retest when possible, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' 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. An experienced Azusa, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
It's easy to feel like you're out of options if you were tested and your BAC was .08 or higher. Even though this is harder to fight, there are still ways to fight it. 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.
Get Rapid Assistance – Call Our Azusa DUI Defense Attorneys TODAY
Azusa, CA, DUI accusations are serious. After an arrest, things move pretty fast. Your license is suspended, you could find yourself in an interrogation room, you're told you have a court date…it's easy to feel like there's no way forward. And that's why it's all the more important to contact a DUI defense attorney immediately.
Don't sit by and watch the evidence mount against you. Don't lose your license because you missed the DMV hearing window. Don't try to handle it on your own. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Azusa, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case now and will start safeguarding your license and your freedom as soon as you call. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no strings attached consultation.
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