DUI Lawyer Dublin. The consequences of a DUI can be devastating. 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 in some cases, refusing can give you even worse penalties. And fighting against a DUI case involving drugs is very different than fighting against a DUI involving alcohol.
If you're facing these types of charges in CA, you should consult with an expert to find your best path forward. Trying to defeat the allegations is a problem you shouldn't have to solve without help, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and know the ins and outs of DUI defense strategies that work. When you retain us, you're getting a team of accomplished defense attorneys who know how to navigate the Dublin, CA, judicial system and provide paths to positive outcomes.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Reach out without delay at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online to start constructing your case's defense today.
Dublin, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Nobody gets excited when they see red and blue flashing lights behind them, but knowing what to do if you are in a traffic stop can help you avoid an arrest. Below are four tips from a Dublin, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to use the next time a police officer stops you on the road:
Tip #1: Have Your Documents Ready
It's typical for an officer to request for your license, registration, and proof of insurance during a traffic stop. If you're struggling to locate them and keep hold of them, the officer may think you're intoxicated. But if you don't need to search for them, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Don't Talk If Alcohol Is Smelled
You aren't required to answer any questions if the officer says that they smell alcohol. You have Fifth Amendment protections both before and after an arrest. Protect yourself by keeping quiet until your lawyer arrives.
Tip #3: Don't Automatically Consent to Tests
The state of California only legally requires drivers to participate in field sobriety tests if they are either under the age of 21, or are 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, you can face consequences if you refuse a blood alcohol content test after you've been arrested.
Tip #4: Treat the Officer Respectfully
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't improve your case — it will make things worse. 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 could contribute to their probable cause to arrest you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Dublin?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, 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, often via field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on the results.
Once you've been arrested, the CA legal system automatically begins the process for both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:
- Suspension: Your license suspension effective immediately after your arrest – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and the police will take away your existing license. Meanwhile, they are ensuring that the arrest is added to your DMV record, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: Sometime after arriving at the police station, you will be brought before a judge, and a prosecutor will read out the allegations that you are formally being charged with.
- DMV Hearing: While all of the criminal proceedings are going on, you'll have 10 days after the arrest to contact the DMV for a hearing.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. In the meantime, your Dublin DUI defense expert will file pretrial motions, likely including some to review the arrest footage, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will contact the Dublin district attorney to find a plea deal that minimizes penalties for you. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be refining a defense strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's unlikely that your DUI case will 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, our record clearing attorneys can help you get a fresh start.
Our DUI legal experts can help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and license side. Whether you've just been arrested or are on the eve of your trial (or anywhere in-between), we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Dublin DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Dublin, CA, DUI charges include two separate fights: The criminal case and the administrative case. In CA, these are always two separate processes, 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 vehicular rights:
Dublin, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, which will involve legal proceedings in CA court.
Most of the steps in a DUI criminal case are identical to that of another 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 fight against the accusations. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, poke holes in the subjective analysis of the officer, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and see if there's anything the police missed that can result in a not guilty plea.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Dublin, CA. 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 argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Dublin, 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 doesn't wait for your criminal case, and 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, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. 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 alcohol tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. These hearings have serious consequences that require an expert Dublin, CA, DUI lawyer to navigate. At the hearing, we'll argue over the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
After ten days, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license back immediately. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a Dublin DUI defense attorney promptly after the traffic stop.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Dublin
Dublin, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – while some are 'just' misdemeanors, you could still be sentenced to a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
Here's an outline of the different penalties you could be fighting against, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| 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 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and barriers between you and professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences have the potential to be life-altering. The level of impact often depends on how many prior offenses are on your record. First-time alleged DUIs don't typically 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 individuals working on the naturalization process, even if you aren't deported, it can set your efforts back by several years.
These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Dublin, 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 that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, fight against removal proceedings, and offer expert advice as you apply for citizenship.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whether you're found guilty or not guilty, 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 cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A Dublin, CA, DUI defense attorney can help you out here, too, and give you a chance to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in Dublin: What You Need to Know
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's vital to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the proficiency, background, and contacts to provide the optimal outcome for your case. When you speak with Dublin, CA, DUI attorneys about your case, ask them about the following:
- Experience: If possible, both defending against charges and as government agents. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, district attorneys, and law enforcement, totalling more than five decades of experience with the law.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. Our offices are always available if you need to talk 24/7.
- Relationships: An attorney who knows the local prosecutor can use that relationship to their advantage. We know how to connect with the prosecutors in Dublin and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: The best lawyers are often professionally recognized. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is proud to have received top ratings from several legal evaluators and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: You don't want to trust your case to someone who doesn't know how to win it. Our attorneys do. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. And we'd be proud to represent you as well.
DUI Case Types We Defend Against in Dublin
Whatever type of DUI charge you need help with in Dublin, CA – our DUI defense lawyers are prepared stand by you against the charges.
Here is a list of the DUI charges we regularly 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 Dublin, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your Dublin, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. While there are many effective legal strategies available, picking the right one can make all the difference.
Challenge the Legality of the Traffic Stop
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, then the evidence arising from that traffic stop could be invalid. This defense is a good option if, for example, the police officer did not properly calibrate the breathalyzer before administering the test, that evidence is invalid.
Show Issues With BAC Tests
Many DUI cases center around a blood-alcohol content test. We will look into any issues with how the equipment was stored or used, 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 often used by officers to evaluate whether someone is impaired or not. But field sobriety tests are not objective measures of whether you're safe to drive or not. An experienced Dublin, CA, DUI attorney will know how to dissect any 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. Medications and health conditions can create false positives – even just over-the-counter cold medicine often contain alcohol, which can linger in your mouth, impacting the test.
Get Rapid Assistance – Speak With Our Dublin DUI Defense Lawyers RIGHT AWAY
When you're up against Dublin DUI charges, it feels like there's no space to breathe. You lose your license, you might be interrogated, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to feel out of control. With everything going on, your best way out is to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Don't give up and let the district attorney win. Don't miss your chance for a DMV administrative hearing to protect your license. Don't just sit idly by while everything collapses. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all Dublin, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case fast and will start safeguarding your license and searching for positive outcomes as soon as you call. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your charges online for a no strings attached case review.
We also provide the following legal services in Dublin, CA:
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