Criminal defense lawyers in Baldwin Park, CA. A Baldwin Park, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe one of your friends broke the law, and you've just gotten wrapped up in it, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and this situation requires a premier Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
Reasons to Find a Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're pausing, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has historically been very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Even worse, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to unittingly give the prosecution evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Connecting with a Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your 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 constantly prepared for your call and don't make you wait — we're ready to start working on your case as soon as we pick up the phone.
How to Handle an Arrest in Baldwin Park, CA
Nobody in Baldwin Park, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Here's what to do during the arrest proceedings, to strengthe your odds of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, trying to get away, or fighting the police won't improve your situation. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Remain Silent: When you are interviewed by the police, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Talk to a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the most important thing to do is reach out to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Baldwin Park, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to go about your life before a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Collect Evidence: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect all findings you have regarding the charges and provide it to your criminal defense lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Baldwin Park, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We believe that criminal defense lawyers have an obligation not only to represent you in court, but to get to know your case from your perspective. Because we start with your story, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and know the difference we can make in your life.
We approach each case by:
- Studying 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.
- Create a fierce defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, dissect the state's case against you, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you clear your record once the case is over. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Case Categories Our Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In Baldwin Park, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Baldwin Park, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Drive-By Shooting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Baldwin Park, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Baldwin Park, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Baldwin Park, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a strong defense against these charges. 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 legal team for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Baldwin Park, CA.
Top Qualities for a Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Baldwin Park, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Good Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Clear Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Baldwin Park, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and persuading the jury.
When you call our Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Investigate Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either 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 explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Connect With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Advantages of Working With Our Baldwin Park, 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 fight against them with their own playbook.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have a strong reputation with both clients and experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We're upfront with our fees, and you can get in touch with us at all times if you learn something new about your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Baldwin Park, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. 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 Baldwin Park, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, errors can always happen, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in Baldwin Park, CA?
The circumstances around your DUI will have a major impact on its outcome. If it's your first DUI and you work with the right attorney, there's a good chance you can avoid jail time. However, repeat DUIs are often treated much more harshly and can be felonies.
If I'm arrested in Baldwin Park, CA, is that on my record?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the government 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 a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you without a court order.
How does sentencing work in Baldwin Park, CA?
In Baldwin Park, CA, sentences for criminal convictions normally fall into one of two situations:
- After a plea deal, the sentence is usually whatever was agreed upon
- After a conviction in a trial, the judge will use legal guidelines to decide on a 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 handle cases faster, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Call Our Baldwin Park, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Is at Stake
For any criminal charges in Baldwin Park, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. This isn't a time to play games with your freedom. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Contact us today – the Baldwin Park, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom right away.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Baldwin Park, CA:
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