DUI Lawyer Covina, CA

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DUI Lawyer Covina. If you're up against a DUI in Covina, it can feel overwhelming. This isn't just an administrative issue; you're also facing jail time, fines, and other penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And it doesn't matter if it was alcohol, marijuana, or another substance affecting your ability to drive.

When you're up against the CA legal system, you need someone in your corner. Trying to stand up for yourself against the prosecution is a fight that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is just a call away in Covina, CA.

We are California's premier DUI defense lawyers and have extensive experience defending against all types of DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of veteran defense attorneys who know how to defend your rights in the Covina, CA, court system and provide paths to positive outcomes.

If you want to build an effective defense, you need to act now. Call as soon as possible at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start constructing your defense strategy today.

Covina, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:

Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but to successfully get through the situation when it does happen, you need to be prepared. Here are four tips from a Covina, CA, DUI Lawyer for you which can protect you from arrests and charges:

Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. If you're struggling to locate them and keep hold of them, the officer may think you're intoxicated. By following this tip, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.

Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
If either the officer alleges that they smell alcohol, or you can smell alcohol yourself, don't answer any questions. You have Fifth Amendment protections during any form of questioning. Even just saying "I only had two drinks" can work against you.

Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. This doesn't stop the officer from arresting you, but can decrease your chances of having this happen. However, you cannot legally refuse a BAC test once you are in custody, without losing your driving privileges.

Tip #4: Don't Argue With the Officer
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't improve your case — it will likely be something you regret. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, 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, which may help justify an arrest.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Covina?

California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or even if you aren't tested at all. The police can use other methods to determine whether or not you were safe to drive, generally using field sobriety tests, then decide whether or not to arrest you based on the results.

If you've been placed under arrest, 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:

1. Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. While you're proceeding through the system, the police are providing a record of the arrest to the Covina, CA, DMV, beginning the formal suspension.
2. Arraignment: At some point when you're in jail, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
3. 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.
4. Pretrial Motions: Most people accused of DUIs in Covina, CA, are able to secure pretrial release, although they'll likely need to pay bail. Meanwhile, your Covina DUI defense expert will laying the groundwork of your defense through motions to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to reexamine your blood sample.
5. Negotiations With the Prosecutor: In the midst of pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will work directly with the Covina district attorney to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if you end up on trial in front of a judge, your attorney should be preparing now.
6. Criminal Trial: Most DUI cases won't go to trial, but we don't count on that possibility and will be ready if it does.
7. 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, you can explore record clearing options with our lawyers.

Our DUI legal experts can provide guidance for any charge, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. Whatever stage in the process you're at, call now and we'll be happy to assist!

Covina, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings

Covina, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the license suspension. These will never be handled in the same hearing, but when you hire the right attorney, they can defend you in both cases.

Here are some things you need to know about both, and our process for defending your liberty and driving privileges:

Covina, 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 – 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 craft a staunch defense and fight against the accusations. We'll challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for contaminations or errors in blood, breath, or urine tests, and look for evidence that can show you are not guilty.

The vast majority of our DUI clients in Covina do not receive any jail sentence. Often, 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.

Covina, CA, DUI License Suspension

Even though the criminal charges may sound like the more serious matter, don't neglect the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is independent of the criminal case, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.

It's typical for the criminal case to be, by and large, separate from the DMV hearing. In fact, no matter what the court decision was, it won't automatically give you back your license. Instead, the hearing is to determine if you were lawfully 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 work with us, we'll fight the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.

If it's been more than ten days after your arrest, 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 critical to contact a Covina DUI defense attorney without delay after being arrested.

Sentence You Could Face for a DUI in Covina, CA

Covina, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even for the ones considered misdemeanors, you're still facing a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.

Below, we've listed the different penalties you could be looking to avoid, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:

You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as loss or increased expense of insurance and career setbacks.

DUIs and Immigration

DUI immigration consequences can be devastating. If this is the first time you've been accused of driving under the influence, you probably won't face removal proceedings. 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 conviction will qualify an immigrant for deportation. For individuals working on the naturalization process, even if you aren't deported, it will hurt your application chances, especially for repeat or aggravated offenses.

These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Covina, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we can help you in all aspects of your case: We'll explore diversion programs and plea deals that can keep a DUI off your record, fight against removal proceedings, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.

After the Case: Expungement/Sealing

Whatever happens in the court case, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. Unfortunately, your arrest and/or criminal record can stick with you. Depending on your case outcome, you could have an avenue to either expunge or seal your records. Fortunately, if you're in Covina, CA, our DUI lawyers will also fight to protect you in this way, and give you a path to clean your record.

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

Accused of a DUI in Covina? It is imperative to pick the right lawyer to fight for you. Your team needs the talent, practice, and connections to offer the best possible outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Covina, CA, look for these signs:

1. Experience: If possible, both defending against charges and as government agents. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you will work with a team of attorneys including former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling more than 50 years of experience.
2. Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. Our phones are ready for your call 24/7.
3. Relationships: When your lawyer knows the district attorney you're up against, they'll use that to your advantage. Our firm has experience working with the prosecutors in Covina and all throughout CA.
4. Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. We are proud to be respected amongst our peers and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
5. 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're ready to add you to our list of success stories.

DUI Case Types We Fight in Covina

Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Covina, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared stand by you against the charges.

Here is a list of the DUI allegations we can provide defenses for:

DUI Defense Tactics in Covina, CA

If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Covina, CA, DUI lawyers are here to help. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.

Contest the Legality of the Arrest
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense could be used if, for example, you were not read your Miranda rights before an interrogation, anything you said could be thrown out.

Show Issues With BAC Tests
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. We will investigate any possible errors that were made when you took the test, introduce alternative evidence 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 a widely-recognized way of evaluating somebody's level of impairment. But ultimately, these are judgment calls on the part of the officer. Your local DUI lawyer will inspect any records of the test and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.

Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Maybe there were no mistakes with your blood, breath, or urine test, and your BAC was over the legal limit. While this is can be difficult to overcome, we won't give up yet. We can examine your diet and medical conditions to find alternative explanations.

Don't Wait – Talk To Our Covina DUI Defense Lawyers AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

After a DUI arrest, you'll hardly get a chance to catch your breath. Your license disappears, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you're given a court date…it's easy to feel lost. In order to find a way out of all that, you need to speak to a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't try to handle it on your own. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to represent you.

We're experts at defending all Covina, CA DUI charges. We're equipped with the tools to build your case today and will start safeguarding your license and your freedom now. Talk to one of our team members now at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form online for a no-obligation case review.

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

• Criminal Defense Lawyer