Criminal defense lawyers in Arcadia, CA. Everyone in Arcadia, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and you need to contact a experienced Arcadia, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
Regardless of the circumstances, 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 our results speak for themselves. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Arcadia, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're waiting, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California frequently is very tough on crime, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
On top of that, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to inadvertently give the prosecuting attorney evidence against you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be accidentally making it harder on yourself.
Connecting with a Arcadia, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available at all times for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
Arcadia, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Being arrested in Arcadia, CA, is a very stressful event. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Follow these steps during the arrest and following court procedures, to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Causing trouble, trying to escape, or fighting the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are questioned by the authorities, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Speak With an Attorney: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Being released prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should collect whatever findings you have related to your defense and make copies to show your defense attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a premier Arcadia, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Arcadia, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
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 we take the time to get to know you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Design a powerful defense utilizing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if there is a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, display the flaws in the state's case, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move on with your life after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Case Types Our Arcadia, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Arcadia, CA criminal charge, and are equipped to defend against anything in Arcadia, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Our Arcadia, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Arcadia, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. We will fight against any of the following charges in Arcadia:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Arcadia, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Arcadia, CA:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Arcadia, CA, is murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Arcadia, CA.
Top Qualities for a Arcadia, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Arcadia, CA, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Picking the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Open and Honest Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the Arcadia, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and convincing the jury.
The minute you call our Arcadia, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Examine Your Charges – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we'll fight to have your case dropped before it grows into a major problem for you.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Be Your Go-Between With the District Attorney – We'll look for a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Advantages of Working With Our Arcadia, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our lawyers have experience. When you work with us, you're getting a law firm with a combined more than five decades of legal experience. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We've received acclaim from both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We're transparent in our pricing, and our phones are available at any time if you learn something new about your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Arcadia, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Arcadia, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a Arcadia, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Do criminal records in Arcadia, CA, include arrests?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you without a warrant.
How does California's Three Strikes law work?
California's Three Strikes law is a system in which certain serious criminal convictions assign a "strike" to a person's records. If that person is convicted of another crime in the future, they can face an increased prison sentence.
What are diversionary programs?
Diversionary programs, such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court, are alternatives to the traditional court and sentencing process. They normally allow for treatment to be given to people who are accused of a crime, rather than being sent to prison.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Arcadia. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With Our Arcadia, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Whatever Arcadia, CA, charges you're facing, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. Contact us today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom the minute we get in touch.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Arcadia, CA:
Payment Plans
