DUI Lawyer Lynwood. If you're up against a DUI in Lynwood, it can feel overwhelming. You're being accused of a crime; 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 the consequences you face might be even worse than a DUI conviction. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you've been accused of a DUI in Lynwood, CA, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to fight against the prosecution is a problem you shouldn't have to solve without help, 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 over 50 years of combined courtroom experience. When you choose us, you're getting a team of DUI defense experts who know how to protect you in the Lynwood, CA, judicial system and will always be honest with you about the state of your case and the best path forward.
While you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Get in touch today at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to start preparing your defense strategy today.
Lynwood, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
Most people don't plan to be pulled over, but even if you've done nothing wrong, you need to know how to navigate the situation. Here are four tips from a Lynwood, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to help you get through any traffic stops unscathed:
Tip #1: Be Prepared With Your Documents
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. By following this tip, you stop yourself from appearing inebriated.
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: Don't Participate in Field Sobriety Tests, Unless Required
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. If you haven't been arrested, you can decline to participate. However, you can face consequences if you refuse a blood alcohol content test after you've been arrested.
Tip #4: Be Polite and Don't Argue
Refusing to cooperate with the police won't improve your case — it will come back to bite you. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, though; it also helps 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 Lynwood?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, or even if you don't blow at all. California allows the police to make a call about whether or not you were driving impaired regardless of your alcohol level, often using field sobriety tests, then make judgements based on the results.
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 starts right away, when you're arrested – on the spot, 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 providing a record of the arrest to the Lynwood, CA, DMV, at which point, you're officially facing a license suspension.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will be summoned to a court 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. Meanwhile, your Lynwood DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to suppress evidence, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Alongside pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will negotiate with the Lynwood prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if the prosecutor won't give you a favorable offer, your attorney should be preparing now.
- Criminal Trial: Most DUI cases won't 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 how your case proceeds, you may face sanctions. 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 you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and administrative side. No matter where you are in your case, call now and we'll be happy to assist!
Lynwood DUI: Fighting Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Lynwood, CA, DUI charges require particular expertise because there are two sides that each need to be defended: The criminal case and the administrative case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, 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 what our attorneys will do for your justice and ability to drive:
Lynwood, 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 protect your rights and attack the allegations. We'll debate the legality of 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 exonerate you.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in Lynwood, 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 argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Lynwood, 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 goes into effect regardless of where you're at in the criminal process, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, you can lose your license regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Instead, this administrative hearing is focused on if you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to blow, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get any more chances to schedule that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Lynwood DUI defense attorney immediately after the arrest.
Punishments After a DUI Conviction in Lynwood, CA
Lynwood, CA, DUI criminal penalties can permanently affect your life – even though some are 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 looking to avoid, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| Alleged DUI Offense | 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 more expenses on your insurance and impacts on your employment.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences can be devastating. 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 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 will become grounds for deportation. If you are trying to become an American citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
These accusations can be intimidating, but they are not the end. Your Lynwood, CA, immigration lawyer can give you practical advice on what comes next. 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 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 can cause some major issues for your life. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. A Lynwood, 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
No matter what DUI allegations you've been charged with, it's important to pick the right lawyer to take your case. Your team needs the abilities, history, and connections to find the best outcome for your case. When evaluating DUI lawyers in Lynwood, CA, you want to judge the following:
- Experience: If it's both for and against the state, even better. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, several of our members are former judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement, totalling over five decades of experience handling cases.
- Availability: Because alleged DUIs can happen outside of the 9-to-5. We're available 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. Our team will leverage our connections with the prosecutors in Lynwood and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. 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: 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. If you're ready to join our list of successes, call now.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Lynwood
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Lynwood, CA – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to battle against the charges.
Below 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 Strategies in Lynwood, CA
If you want to craft an effective defense strategy, our Lynwood, 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 Legitimacy of the Traffic Stop
If the arresting officer failed to obey the rules for investigating a DUI, you might be able to secure a dismissal of the charges. This defense is relevant if, for example, the police officer did not properly calibrate the breathalyzer before administering the test, that evidence is invalid.
Flaws in BAC 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 whether or not the procedure was followed when administering the tests, re-examine the evidence to look for alternate explanations, and find any other mistakes law enforcement made that could exonerate you.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are a widely-recognized way of evaluating somebody's level of impairment. But there are several other factors that can affect your performance besides whether or not alcohol was in your system. Our attorneys will review the footage and show whether or not you were fairly judged.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Maybe there were no mistakes with your blood, breath, or urine test, and your BAC was .08 or higher. Even though this is harder to fight, we won't give up yet. If you have certain medical conditions, those can cause false positives. For example, some inhalers can artificially raise the amount of alcohol in your breath, depending on how they are used.
Get Rapid Assistance – Speak With Our Lynwood DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
After a DUI arrest, things move pretty fast. You lose your license, you could find yourself in an interrogation room, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be lost. With everything going on, your best way out is to call a DUI defense lawyer immediately.
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 hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to fight for you.
We're experts at defending all Lynwood, CA DUI charges. We're prepared to start building your defense immediately and will start protecting your driving privileges and your liberty right away. Reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Lynwood, CA:
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