Criminal defense lawyers in Burbank, CA. A Burbank, 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 the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and this situation requires a Burbank, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Burbank, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're biding your time, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California can be very punishing towards convicts, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Beyond this, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more you risk doing something to unintentionally give the state evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Working with a Burbank, 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 utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. 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.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Burbank, CA
The arrest process in Burbank, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Do the following while going through the arrest process, to enhance the likelihood of a good outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Causing trouble, running, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Remain Silent: If you are interrogated by the investigators, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Speak With a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Burbank, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be 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 released prior to a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should put together any evidence you have regarding your case and share it with your defense attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a leading Burbank, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a strong defense.
The Role of a Burbank, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because we listen to you first, we both craft a defense specific to you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your future.
We will fight for you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Craft a strong defense utilizing motions to have evidence thrown out, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if there is a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed 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 move forward once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
Case Categories Our Burbank, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Burbank, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Our Burbank, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Burbank, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. 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
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Burbank, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Burbank, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Burbank, CA, are as grave as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Finding the Right Burbank, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Burbank, CA, but not every firm is equipped for the job. Choosing the right 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 – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- High Reputation – they should be known for providing quality and compassionate service.
- 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 – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Burbank, CA:
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're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Burbank, 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:
- Research Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Negotiate With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll dissect the state's argument at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
Why Choose Our Burbank, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Burbank, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. And if your case does end up going before a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We have a strong reputation with both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can talk to one of our representatives at all times if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Burbank, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It can be hard just to move forward, and without a guide, there isn't a map to find your way through the situation. We've put together some of the common questions Burbank, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a Burbank, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, errors can always happen, 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 Burbank, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Do criminal records in Burbank, CA, include arrests?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the state keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have 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 arrest you even if they don't have a warrant.
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.
What is plea bargaining?
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 save time, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Burbank, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Get in touch as soon as possible – 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 crafting your case right away.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Burbank, CA:
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