Criminal defense lawyers in Buena 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 Buena Park, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you have to find a leading Buena Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Speak with one of our representatives at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Buena Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're lagging, the the evidence against you is piling up. California has a reputation for being very harsh in sentencing, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference the outcome of your case.
Beyond this, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to unconsciously give the prosecuting attorney evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.
Finding a Buena Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available around the clock for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Buena Park, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Buena Park, CA. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Do the following during the arrest proceedings, to increase the probability of a advantageous outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Refusing to go, trying to get away, or fighting the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: When you are questioned 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 attorney.
- 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. Being able to act freely before a potential 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 collect any data you have regarding your defense and share it with your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Buena Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a strong defense.
How Our Buena Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because we start with your story, we both craft a defense specific to you and understand the impact we have on your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Create a powerful defense using motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should the case reach trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, dissect the state's case against you, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. 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 get a clean slate after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Buena Park, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Buena Park, 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
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Buena Park, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- 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. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Buena Park, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Buena Park, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Buena Park, CA, are as grave as murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Buena Park, CA, law firm to protect your rights. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our legal team for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Buena Park, CA.
What You Want in a Buena Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Buena Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Working with the right 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 – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Good Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Buena Park, CA:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. 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.
As soon as you call our Buena Park, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Evaluate 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.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Negotiate With the District Attorney – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Buena Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our lawyers have experience. When you work with us, you're getting a law firm with a combined more than five decades of legal experience. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure plea bargains that can protect your freedom. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
W're known for our success amongst both former clients and experts. As premier Buena Park, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and our phones are available any day and any time if you think of anything you need to ask us or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Buena Park, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Buena Park, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
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, somthing could get mixed up, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
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 Buena Park, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Buena Park, 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 these aren't always permanent – 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?
When an officer has probably cause, they can detain you even if they don't have a warrant.
How does sentencing work in Buena Park, CA?
In Buena 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
Why do people plea bargain in Buena Park, CA?
Plea bargaining is the process where the state's lawyers and defense lawyer come up with a deal for the defendant, wherein the defendant likely pleas guilty for a reduced penalty. Prosecutors use them to handle cases faster, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Buena Park, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. Our firm's criminal defense lawyers are prepared to give you expert defensive representation.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. Start working on your case today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start making a plan to keep you out of prison as soon as possible.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Buena Park, CA:
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