DUI Lawyer Chino Hills. If convicted, a DUI can permanently change your life for the worse. This isn't just an administrative issue; you're up against thousand dollar fines, years in jail, and more. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you've been accused of a DUI in Chino Hills, CA, you need someone in your corner. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a fight that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is at your service.
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 veteran defense attorneys who know how to protect you in the Chino Hills, CA, court system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Speak with one of our attorneys as soon as possible at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start building your defense today.
Chino Hills, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being pulled over, but it's still important to know how to handle a traffic stop. Here are four tips from a Chino Hills, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. 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 avoid that risk.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
You never need to answer a question that might incriminate you. You have the right to remain silent both before and after an arrest. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
California does not require the majority of people to participate in field sobriety tests, and in fact, you can often refuse without penalty. The two main exceptions are if you are under the age of 21, and/or if you are on probation. Refusing won't force the officer to let you go, but on its own, there aren't any penalties for refusing. 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: Treat the Officer Respectfully
Arguing with the officer won't improve your case — it will make things worse. Nobody enjoys being pulled over, but remaining calm and respectful not only makes it easier for the officer; it also helps your defense: By acting out or arguing, 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 Chino Hills?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you regardless of your blood alcohol level, or even if you don't blow at all. This is because the officer can make a subjective judgment about whether you are impaired or not, likely with field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on how you do.
Right after your arrest, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can go into effect at the time of the arrest – you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and you will lose your regular license (at least for now). Meanwhile, they are providing a record of the arrest to the Chino Hills, CA, DMV, at which point, you're officially facing a license 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: Even though you might feel overwhelmed by the criminal charges, 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. While you're waiting for the trial, your Chino Hills DUI defense attorney will building the framework of your defense and filing motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to have another test run on your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the Chino Hills district attorney to present you with plea deal offers that could protect your freedom. But if you end up on trial in front of a judge, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Outside of extraordinary circumstances, it's rare for a DUI case to 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 a punishment. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you can explore record clearing options with our lawyers.
Our DUI legal experts can help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. For advice on any stage with your charges, our team has the knowledge to guide you forward!
Chino Hills DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Chino Hills, 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. These are handled separately by the state, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and what our attorneys will do for your liberty and vehicular rights:
Chino Hills, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
Most of the steps in a DUI criminal case are identical to that of another criminal charge – 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 defend your freedom and push back against the accusations. We'll argue whether the police had the justification needed to pull you over, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can present an alternate narrative.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time in Chino Hills, 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 work to give you an alternative to jail, in the form of probation.
Chino Hills, 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 doesn't wait for your criminal case, and if you want to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
In many cases, the status of your criminal case doesn't have a huge impact on the DMV hearing. In fact, even if you secure a plea deal for a reduced charge, that won't (directly) affect your license suspension. Instead, the focus of this hearing is whether or not you were legitimately arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to cooperate when the officer tried to test you, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with us, we'll argue over 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 schedule that hearing. This is why it's important to contact a Chino Hills DUI defense lawyer right away after the arrest.
Punishments After a DUI Conviction in Chino Hills, CA
Chino Hills, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, it's possible to receive a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
On this table, you can review the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the nature of the allegations:
| 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 Chino Hills, CA, you're also facing collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be incredibly serious. On the bright side, most first-time DUIs at this time will not result in deportation. The bad news is that if something made this allegation more serious, like an injured bystander, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI can result in removal from the country. For immigrants seeking citizenship, even if you aren't deported, it hurts your application process.
If any of the above situations apply to you, don't panic: Call one of our Chino Hills, CA, immigration lawyers to get immediate help. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we can help you in all aspects of your case: We'll explore diversion programs that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, represent you at deportation hearings, and assist you with the citizenship application process.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, you'll probably be looking to move on as soon as possible. You'll find, though, that your arrest and/or criminal record won't go away on its own. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A Chino Hills, CA, DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you a way to clean your record.
Important Qualities You Need in a Chino Hills, CA DUI Attorney
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's critical to pick the right lawyer to take your case. Your team needs the proficiency, experience, and connections to offer the best possible outcome for your case. The top Chino Hills, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: Experience gives your attorney knowledge on how to win these cases. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, district attorneys, and police officers, totalling over 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. Our lines are never off, and you can contact us 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Chino Hills and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: At the end of the day, results matter. And our results are great. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
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 Chino Hills
Whatever DUI charge you're up against in Chino Hills, CA – your DUI defense lawyer from our team prepared to defend you against the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI cases we commonly 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 Chino Hills, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Chino Hills, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Challenge the Legitimacy of the Arrest
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, we can challenge the evidence, and even the legitimacy of the case itself. This defense is relevant if, for example, the officer did not observe you for the full 15-minute period required before asking you to take a breath test.
Flaws in 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 investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, introduce alternative evidence when possible, and analyze the state's case to see if there was an error made in how your evidence was processed.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'walk-and-turn,' 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 audit the test records and provide additional context for your performance, such as the stress of the situation.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
It's easy to feel like you're out of options if you were tested and your BAC was over the legal limit. This may sound bad, but there are still ways to fight it. We can examine your diet and medical conditions to find alternative explanations.
Get Immediate Help – Speak With Our Chino Hills DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY
DUI allegations are no joke. After you've been charged, it can feel like you barely have a chance to think. Your license disappears, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel stressed out. With everything going on, your best way out is to call an attorney as soon as possible.
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 just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to represent you.
We're experts at defending all Chino Hills, CA DUI charges. We're available to help fast and will start protecting your driving privileges and your freedom now. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Chino Hills, CA:
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