Do You Need a Chula Vista DUI Lawyer? We Can Help
Chula Vista DUI Lawyer
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a crime that carries serious consequences, especially if the DUI is a repeat offense or causes another person to suffer serious bodily injury or death, which can result in felony charges. Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego area and DUI arrests happen every day, often to people who never thought they would find themselves in that kind of situation. The truth is that a DUI can happen to anyone at any time and if you find yourself under arrest for a Chula Vista DUI or another DUI-related offense, it is critical that you get in touch with an attorney who specializes in defending drunk driving cases in California and in Chula Vista specifically. Our team of criminal defense attorneys at Sevens Legal, APC have experience handling all types of Chula Vista DUI cases, and fighting for our clients’ rights is what we do best. Contact our firm today to schedule a free initial case evaluation and find out how you can beat your drunk driving charges.
Reputable Chula Vista DUI Lawyer
When it comes to fighting DUI charges in Chula Vista, nothing should stand in the way of you aggressively defending your rights and protecting your future and the well-being of your family, and with the skill, knowledge and tenacity of our legal team, nothing will. Our DUI defense attorneys at Sevens Legal have more than four decades of combined experience handling DUI cases in California, and we work hard to help our clients fight their DUI charges and avoid the adverse consequences of a DUI conviction. Whatever the circumstances of your DUI arrest or criminal charge, you need a Chula Vista DUI lawyer who can win your case, reduce your charges or minimize your criminal penalties. As your legal representation, our DUI defense lawyers will act as your advocate in the courtroom and devise a strong defense for your case that is tailored to your specific situation. We have a proven history of success at trial and we can get you the second chance you deserve.
Chula Vista DUI
DUI – California Vehicle Code § 23152 VC
The California law that governs DUI offenses in Chula Vista is Vehicle Code § 23152 VC, and this legal statute has two main parts. VC § 23152 (a) is the part of the law that makes it a crime “for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage to drive a vehicle.” According to this law, being “under the influence” means your physical and mental abilities have been substantially affected by alcohol, to the point where you are no longer able to safely operate a motor vehicle. VC § 23152 (b) is the part of the law that makes it a crime “for a person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.” Under VC § 23152, it is also a crime to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any drug (VC § 23152 (f)), under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug (VC § 23152 (g)), or while addicted to the use of any drug (VC § 23152 (c)). There are many different components to California DUI law, and if you have been charged with driving while intoxicated in Chula Vista, you need an attorney in your corner who can help guide you through the process of successfully defending yourself against the DUI charges.
Penalties for a Chula Vista DUI
Under California law, first offense DUIs are misdemeanors and the penalty for a first misdemeanor DUI may include:
- Serving a county jail sentence of up to six months,
- Misdemeanor probation,
- Paying up to $1,000 in fines, plus other costs and fees,
- Having your driver’s license suspended for six months,
- Getting an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle, and/or
- Participating in DUI classes for three to nine months.
Second offense DUIs in Chula Vista are also misdemeanor crimes and the penalty for a second misdemeanor DUI may include:
- Serving a county jail sentence of up to one year,
- Misdemeanor probation,
- Paying up to $1,000 in fines, plus other costs and fees,
- Having your driver’s license suspended for two years,
- Getting an IID installed in your vehicle, and/or
- Participating in DUI classes for 18 to 30 months.
Most third offense DUIs in Chula Vista are misdemeanors crimes and the penalty for a third misdemeanor DUI may include:
- Serving a county jail sentence of up to one year,
- Misdemeanor probation,
- Paying up to $1,000 in fines, plus other costs and fees,
- Having your driver’s license suspended for three years,
- Getting an IID installed in your vehicle, and/or
- Participating in DUI school for 30 months.
Fourth & Subsequent DUI Offenses
Fourth and subsequent DUIs in Chula Vista are especially serious because they can be charged as felonies, rather than misdemeanors, and are punishable by the following penalties:
- Serving a state prison sentence of 16 months, two, three or four years,
- Felony probation,
- Paying up to $1,000 in fines, plus other costs and fees,
- Having your driver’s license suspended for four years,
- Getting an IID installed in your vehicle, and/or
- Participating in DUI classes for 30 months, and/or
- Registering as a Habitual Traffic Offender.
What to do After a Chula Vista DUI Arrest
Don’t Answer Any Questions
After the police arrested you and before they questioned you about your DUI, they should have read you the Miranda warning, which is derived from the self-incrimination clause of the Fifth Amendment and notifies you of your right to remain silent. Too often, individuals arrested for DUI think they can explain their situation and talk themselves out of facing criminal charges, only to make an incriminating statement that ends up hurting their case. Your best chance of beating your DUI charges is to tell the police that you would like to speak to an attorney before answering any of their questions. You have the right to legal counsel, and refusing to answer any questions the police ask you without an attorney present is not an admission of guilt.
Contact an Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer
If you are facing charges for DUI in Chula Vista, you have the right to represent your own defense in criminal court. However, unless you are intimately familiar with Chula Vista DUI laws, the criminal justice system and the most effective defenses for drunk driving cases, you would only be doing yourself a disservice by attempting to handle your DUI case on your own. After being arrested for DUI in Chula Vista, you have only ten days to hire an attorney, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and schedule your DUI hearing to contest the suspension of your driver’s license, or else forfeit your right to a hearing. The sooner you hire our DUI defense attorneys, the sooner we can get to work protecting you from the adverse consequences of a DUI.
Chula Vista DUI Defense
- You drove a motor vehicle, and
- At the time you drove, you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or you had a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
Best Defense Strategies for a Chula Vista DUI
A DUI may seem at first glance like a pretty cut and dry case, especially if the driver’s BAC tests above the legal limit. However, police officers sometimes make mistakes, unlawful DUI arrests are made, and DUI breath or blood tests can give inaccurate readings. There are several different DUI defenses that can potentially help you get your Chula Vista DUI charges reduced or possibly even dropped, including the following:
- Illegal DUI checkpoint
- Unlawful arrest
- Violation of your Miranda rights
- Violation of Title 17
- Faulty chemical test
- Police misconduct
- “No driving” defense
- Lack of probable cause
- Forced blood draw
How Our Chula Vista DUI Lawyers Can Help
Contacting a Chula Vista DUI Attorney Near Me
At Sevens Legal, APC we pride ourselves on our commitment to prompt responses to our potential clients and clients. Your case is very important to us and we will respond to you as soon as possible.