Criminal defense lawyers in Banning, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Banning, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and this situation requires a premier Banning, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consult with an attorney.
Why You Need a Banning, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're hesitating, the state is working on its case. California can be very punishing towards convicts, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Plus, the longer you spend on your own, the more chances you have to offhandedly give the prosecution evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be accidentally making it harder on yourself.
Contacting a Banning, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 available around the clock for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Banning, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Banning, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Follow these steps while in custody, in order to enhance the likelihood of a advantageous outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Being difficult, attempting to flee, or attacking the police won't improve your situation. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Remain Silent: If you are interrogated by the authorities, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Contact an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Banning, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your lawyer.
- 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 able to act freely before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Collect Evidence: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should document all data you have regarding your defense and share it with your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with a skilled Banning, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Banning, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we listen to you first, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your future.
Our attorneys do this 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.
- Craft a powerful defense through motions to suppress evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case reaches a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Banning, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense lawyers specialize in:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In Banning, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Banning, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. 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
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Banning, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Banning, CA, are as grave as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a Banning, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Banning, CA.
What You Want in a Banning, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Banning, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but there's a wide range of quality. Partnering with the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
How We Fight in the Banning, 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 start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Banning, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Evaluate Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – 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.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Look for Deals With the State – We have experience with crafting 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 challenge the district attorney at trial and show reasonable doubt 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 verdict to reclaim your freedom.
Why Choose Our Banning, 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 strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us 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, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We're top-rated by both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can get in touch with us any day and any time if you need an update on your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Banning, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. Most people feel very stressed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Banning, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Banning, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, somthing could get mixed up, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level Banning, CA, criminal defense attorney.
If I'm arrested in Banning, CA, is that on my record?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – 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 place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
How does sentencing work in Banning, CA?
In Banning, 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
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is the process by which your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney negotiate to find a lighter sentence for the person charged with a crime, in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to handle cases faster, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Call Our Banning, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Banning, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Call now – 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 building your defense as soon as possible.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Banning, CA:
Payment Plans
