Criminal defense lawyers in Bakersfield, CA. Everyone in Bakersfield, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you need a experienced Bakersfield, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.
Whatever the case is, 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 have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Bakersfield, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're holding back, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California is often very punishing towards convicts, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
On top of that, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more you risk doing something to accidentally give the state evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be unknowingly digging a deep hole for yourself.
Working with a Bakersfield, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
Arrested in Bakersfield, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Being arrested in Bakersfield, CA, is a very stressful event. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Here's what to do while in custody, to strengthen your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Acting out, running, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't do you any good. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the investigators, 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 – before anyone else, make sure to place a call to your lawyer.
- 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 before a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Gather Evidence: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should organize whatever findings you have on the charges and share it with your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Bakersfield, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a potent defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Bakersfield, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because all our cases are focused on our client, we both build a defense based around your situation and care about the broader implications on your future.
We assist you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Craft a rock-solid defense using motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, dissect the state's case against you, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Areas of Expertise for Our Bakersfield, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Bakersfield, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Some of the most common Bakersfield, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Bakersfield, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. If you're accused in Bakersfield of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Bakersfield, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. 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 Bakersfield, CA:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Bakersfield, CA. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a leading Bakersfield, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. 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.
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 Bakersfield, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Bakersfield, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Positive Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
How We Fight in the Bakersfield, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Bakersfield, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Learn Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
The Advantages of Working With Our Bakersfield, 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 strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and legal experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Bakersfield, CA, court. Our rates are affordable, and you can get in touch with us at all times if you need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Bakersfield, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Bakersfield, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Bakersfield, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, somthing could get mixed up, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
How long does a conviction stay on my record in California?
In California, the 'Clean Slate Act' allows for some convictions to automatically be sealed. For most felonies, this occurs after four years, and for most misdemeanors, this occurs after one.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can place you under arrest without a court order.
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.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Bakersfield, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Bakersfield. 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 handle cases faster, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With Our Bakersfield, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Bakersfield, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. Our firm's criminal defense lawyers are prepared to give you expert defensive representation.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. 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 crafting your case right away.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Bakersfield, CA:
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