Criminal defense lawyers in Blythe, CA. A Blythe, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you're in need of a premier Blythe, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Speak with one of our representatives at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Blythe, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're hesitating, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California has a reputation for being very harsh in sentencing, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference the outcome of your case.
What's more, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more chances you have to offhandedly give the prosecuting attorney evidence that could be used to convict you. 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 setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Reaching out to a Blythe, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 at all times for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
Arrested in Blythe, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Being arrested in Blythe, CA, is a very stressful event. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take the below steps during and after an arrest, to increase the probability of a favorable outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Refusing to go, running, or harming the police won't improve your situation. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Answer Questions: If you are interrogated by the government officials, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Contact a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – be sure one of them is 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. Securing your freedom before a trial can be invaluable.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should gather whatever evidence you have related to your case and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with an expert Blythe, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a potent defense.
How Our Blythe, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We will go about your case by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Craft a strong defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- 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 be a victim of a past conviction.
Blythe, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Blythe, CA, and are equipped to defend against anything in Blythe, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
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. Some of the most common Blythe, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Blythe, 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. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Blythe, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Blythe, CA. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need an expert Blythe, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. 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 attorneys if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Blythe, CA.
Top Qualities for a Blythe, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Blythe, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Positive Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Transparent Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
How We Fight in the Blythe, 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. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Blythe, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Learn Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Communicate With the District Attorney – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Since we've been preparing from day one, we'll dissect the state's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
What You Can Expect From Our Blythe, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Our connections in Blythe, CA, courts allow us to get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both former clients and experts. As premier Blythe, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can talk to one of our representatives 24/7 if you need an update on your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Blythe, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. 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 Blythe, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, people can make mistakes, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Blythe, CA?
There are options to seal your records for many misdemeanors and even several felonies. In California, this process is called sealing a record, but is sometimes referred to as expungement. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with this process.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
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.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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 wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
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. The state uses them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With Our Blythe, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
Whatever Blythe, CA, charges you're facing, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Talk to an attorney today – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start making a plan to keep you out of prison immediately.
We also provide the following legal services in Blythe, CA:
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