Criminal defense lawyers in Baldwin Park, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you're finding yourself needing a leading Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is equipped to help you fight the charges. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're hesitating, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is known for being very punishing towards convicts, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Plus, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to unittingly give the police evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unintentionally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Working with a Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Baldwin Park, CA
Being arrested in Baldwin Park, CA, is a very stressful event. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Follow these steps during the arrest proceedings, to enhance your odds of a positive outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Acting out, trying to escape, or harming the government officials won't help your case. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are questioned by the police, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be 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. Being released before a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should document any data you have on the charges and provide it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with the right Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a potent defense.
The Role of a Baldwin Park, 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 craft a defense specific to you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We assist you by:
- Researching your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Build a effective defense utilizing motions to have evidence thrown out, utilizing our wide range of resources, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution 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 at sentencing hearings. 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 move on with your life after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow labels to control you.
Case Types Our Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Baldwin Park, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Our Baldwin Park, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
- Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Baldwin Park, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. If you're accused in Baldwin Park of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Baldwin Park, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Baldwin Park, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Baldwin Park, CA that's as significant as murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need an expert Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. 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 to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Baldwin Park, CA.
How to Pick a Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not every firm is equipped for the job. Hiring the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Connections With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- High Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Transparent Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
How We Fight in the Baldwin Park, 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. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Examine Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the State – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll battle against the state 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.
What You Can Expect From Our Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. But if your case does reach a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're highly regarded by both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can talk to one of our representatives around the clock if need an update on your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Baldwin Park, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. Most people feel very stressed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Baldwin Park, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, nobody is perfect, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Do convictions ever expire from my criminal record in California?
Technically no. Barring special circumstances, after a conviction, the government will always keep it on your record. However, after a certain time period, they can seal the record, lessening the negative impact.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, 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.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have 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 place you under arrest even if they don't have 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 the advantages of plea bargaining in Baldwin Park, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. Prosecutors use them to save time, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
For any criminal charges in Baldwin Park, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. This isn't a time to play games with your freedom. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Reach out right away – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case at once.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Baldwin Park, CA:
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