Criminal defense lawyers in Antioch, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Antioch, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe someone asked you for a favor, and you didn't realize it was illegal. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you're searching for a Antioch, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a Antioch, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're waiting, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California can be very punishing towards convicts, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Even worse, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to carelessly give the state evidence that hurts you. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be inadvertently making your case harder to fight.
Hiring a Antioch, CA, criminal defense lawyer early might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
Arrests can happen any time of day or year, and we're ready to help whenever they happen. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always ready for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Arrested in Antioch, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
The arrest process in Antioch, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Take the below steps during the arrest proceedings, to increase the probability of a positive outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Causing trouble, running, or attacking the police won't do you any good. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Remain Silent: When you are interviewed by the investigators, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – before anyone else, make sure to place a call to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Securing your freedom before a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should gather whatever findings you have on the charges and provide it to your lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with an expert Antioch, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a mighty defense.
The Role of a Antioch, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because your defense should be centered around you, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and make decisions based on the broader effects on your future.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Build a powerful defense utilizing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, dissect the state's case against you, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow labels to control you.
Case Types Our Antioch, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Antioch, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In Antioch, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Antioch, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Antioch, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Antioch, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Antioch, CA. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a strong defense against these charges. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
What To Look For in Your Antioch, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Antioch, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but some stand out from the rest. Choosing the proper criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – they should be known for providing quality and compassionate service.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
The Steps Our Antioch, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the state and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Antioch, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Investigate Your Charges – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Advantages of Working With Our Antioch, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our connections in Antioch, CA, courts allow us to get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. But if your case does reach a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We have a strong reputation with both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Antioch, CA, court. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can speak to one of our team members any day and any time if need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Antioch, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and without a guide, there isn't a map to find your way through the situation. We've put together some of the common questions Antioch, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Antioch, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, errors can always happen, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can detain you without a warrant.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Antioch. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to get through cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Get in Touch With Our Antioch, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Antioch, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Talk to one of our representatives today – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom immediately.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Antioch, CA:
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