DUI Lawyer Culver City. DUI law in Culver City is complex. Besides losing your license, there's a lot at stake; depending on your history, you could go to prison. In California, you're required to participate in DUI tests if you're driving. Refusal to do so is another crime, and by declining, you could face even harsher penalties. And it doesn't matter if it was alcohol, marijuana, or another substance affecting your ability to drive.
If you find yourself in this situation, you shouldn't need to do this without help. Trying to navigate the laws and the courts is a fight that you need a team for, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is available to protect you in Culver City.
We are California's top DUI defense lawyers and decades of experience fighting against these charges. When you choose us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to fight for you in the Culver City, CA, legal system and get you the best outcome possible.
If you wait too long to build a defense, it could become too late. Get in touch as soon as possible at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start constructing your defense today.
Culver City, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
You may be a careful driver who doesn't violate any traffic laws, but knowing how to handle the situation is important for all Culver City, CA, residents. Below are four tips from a Culver City, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Your heart might start to pound as soon as the police officer asks for your ID, registration, and insurance. Many sober people will have trouble gathering up these documents under pressure. When you're already prepared to give them to the officer, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
Tip #2: If You or the Officer Smells Alcohol, Don't Speak
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. You have the right to remain silent at all points in the legal process. Trying to explain away the smell of alcohol will probably just get you in more trouble.
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. The officer may not like it, but they can't compel you to participate. However, you can face consequences if you refuse a blood alcohol content test after you've been arrested.
Tip #4: Don't Argue With the Officer
Refusing to cooperate with 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: When you resist or act disrespectfully, 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 Culver City?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you even if you blow below the legal limit, or even if you aren't 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 that.
If you've been placed under arrest, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. After the arrest, be prepared for the following:
- Suspension: Your license suspension effective immediately after your arrest – at that time, 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, they are informing the DMV about the arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will tell you the exact laws you're charged with breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Even though you might feel overwhelmed by the criminal charges, 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. Meanwhile, your Culver City DUI defense lawyer will laying the groundwork of your defense through motions to throw out illegal evidence, 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 speak with the Culver City district attorney to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if that doesn't work, your attorney should be refining a defense strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: Your case probably will not go to trial, but at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're prepared to fight for your freedom in front of a jury, no matter what .
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the result of your case, you may face sanctions. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you may be eligible to have your record sealed.
Our DUI legal experts can help you fight any allegation, on both the criminal defense and driver's license side. For advice on any stage with your charges, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Culver City, CA, DUI Differences: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Culver City, CA, DUI charges require particular expertise because there are two sides that each need to be defended: The criminal case and the license suspension. These will never be handled in the same hearing, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will help you with both.
Here are the key things to be aware of for each, and insights into how we protect your freedom and right to drive:
Culver City, 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.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – 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 defend your freedom and dissect the criminal accusations. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, display flaws in the officer's analysis, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can show you are not guilty.
With our defense strategies, we are almost always successful at protecting our Culver City, CA, clients from jail time. For several cases, we'll contact the district attorney on their behalf and negotiate a charge reduction, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also avoid jail time with a probation sentence.
Culver City, 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 is independent of the criminal case, 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, even if you secure a plea deal for a reduced charge, that won't (directly) affect your license suspension. Instead, this administrative hearing is focused on 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 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 options. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to request that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Culver City DUI defense attorney without delay after the traffic stop.
Culver City DUI Sentences and Consequences
Culver City, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – while many are 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 trying to avoid, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and impacts on your employment.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences have the potential to be life-altering. On the bright side, most first-time DUIs at this time will not result in deportation. The bad news is that if certain circumstances apply, like DUIs causing injury or repeat offenses, 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 can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
A DUI accusation doesn't have to end your time in the United States. You can get help from your Culver City, CA, immigration lawyer. 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 and plea deals that can keep a DUI off your record, fight to keep you in the country, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether your case ends in a conviction or an acquittal, you're liking looking forward to putting this all behind you. The bad news is 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 Culver City, CA, DUI defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also assist with this process, and give you a way to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
Accused of a DUI in Culver City? It is vital to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the talent, preparation, and relationships to find the best outcome for your case. When looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Culver City, CA, look for these signs:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you will work with a team of attorneys including former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling over 50 years of experience with the law.
- Availability: You should be able to get help fast, whenever you need it. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Culver City and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Having a good reputation as someone who secures positive outcomes for clients is essential. We are proud of our reputation with former clients 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 Take On in Culver City
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Culver City, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for the charges.
This is a list 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 Tactics in Culver City, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Culver City, 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 Traffic Stop
If the arresting officer failed to obey the rules for investigating a DUI, your case could be thrown out on legal grounds. This defense is effective 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
Chemical tests that measure the amount of alcohol in your blood, breath, or urine are strong evidence, but are not infallible. We will look into any potential procedural errors, re-examine the evidence to look for alternate explanations, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'one-leg stand,' are a normal part of the process when police are evaluating if someone is driving intoxicated or not. But ultimately, these are judgment calls on the part of the officer. An experienced Culver City, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any records and provide alternate explanations for your performance.
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. Even though this is harder to fight, you do still have viable defense strategies. 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 Culver City DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
After a DUI arrest, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. You lose your license, a law enforcement official might be asking you hard questions, you get a court date…it's easy to be overwhelmed. What you need to do is call a DUI defense attorney right away.
Don't let the state decide how your case will go. Don't wait too long and lose your driving privileges. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all Culver City, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense today and will start protecting your driving privileges and searching for positive outcomes now. Get a hold of us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a no-obligation case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Culver City, CA:
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