Criminal defense lawyers in Barstow, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Barstow, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the accusations are false, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and this situation requires a leading Barstow, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
For any criminal charges in Barstow, 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. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a no obligation case review.
Why You Need a Barstow, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're lagging, the the evidence against you is piling up. California has historically been very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Plus, the longer you take to work with , the more possible it is to accidentally give the prosecution evidence they can use against you. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Reaching out to a Barstow, CA, criminal defense lawyer early might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
When you're accused of a crime, it doesn't matter what time it is. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready 24/7 for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
Arrested in Barstow, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Nobody in Barstow, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take the below steps while in custody, to enhance the likelihood of a beneficial outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Acting out, attempting to flee, or harming the police won't do you any good. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interrogated by the investigators, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Find a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Barstow, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): you might be released without being charged, but if you are, you will probably be given an option to post bail. Being able to act freely prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should organize any findings you have related to the charges and send it to your attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a premier Barstow, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a mighty defense.
The Role of a Barstow, 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 have a client-centered focus, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and know the difference we can make in your life.
Our team will support 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.
- Design a fierce defense often consisting of motions to have evidence thrown out, working with expert witnesses, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and present 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 the trial's end. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move forward once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
Case Types Our Barstow, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Barstow, CA, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Barstow, CA, include:
- 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 are prosecuted harshly in Barstow, CA. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Barstow, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. 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 Barstow:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Barstow, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. 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 are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Barstow, 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 a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
What You Want in a Barstow, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Barstow, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Partnering with the proper criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Stellar Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Clear Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
How We Fight in the Barstow, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the state and persuading the jury.
As soon as you call our Barstow, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – 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.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, without excessive bail.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case 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 file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Our Barstow, 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 strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and experts. As premier Barstow, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can get in touch with us whenever you need to if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Barstow, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. It can be hard just to move forward, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Barstow, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Barstow, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, errors can always happen, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Barstow, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Barstow, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
If I'm arrested in Barstow, CA, is that on my record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. The state uses them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With Our Barstow, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Barstow, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to defend you.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Speak with one of our lawyers now – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighting an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story without delay.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Barstow, CA:
Payment Plans
