Criminal defense lawyers in Canoga Park, CA. A Canoga Park, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you have to call a premier Canoga Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Canoga Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're waiting, the state is working on its case. California is known for being very tough on crime, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Beyond this, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to unittingly give the prosecution evidence against you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unknowingly making it harder on yourself.
Working with a Canoga Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your attorney may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 available around the clock 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 Canoga Park, CA
Nobody in Canoga Park, CA, enjoys getting arrested. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Do the following while in custody, to strengthen your chances of a advantageous outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Acting out, attempting to flee, or fighting the police won't improve your situation. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interrogated by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Contact an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- 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 before 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 document any information you have on your case and make copies to show your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a skilled Canoga Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a mighty defense.
How Our Canoga Park, 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 take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
Our team will support you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Prepare a fierce defense utilizing motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case needs to go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution 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 when applicable. 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 fresh start once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
Case Categories Our Canoga Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Canoga Park, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Canoga Park, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. In Canoga Park, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Canoga Park, 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 Canoga Park, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. We will fight against any of the following charges in Canoga Park:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Canoga Park, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. 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
It's hard to thing of a charge in Canoga Park, CA that's as significant as murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a leading Canoga Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer on 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.
Contact our attorneys for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Canoga Park, CA.
Top Qualities for a Canoga Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Canoga Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but there's a wide range of quality. Partnering with the proper criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- 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.
The Steps Our Canoga Park, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and convincing the jury.
When you call our Canoga 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:
- Learn Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – 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.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll dissect the state's argument at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
What You Can Expect From Our Canoga 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 use our knowledge to tear it apart.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're highly regarded by both clients and legal experts. As premier Canoga Park, 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 at all times if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Canoga Park, 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 you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Canoga Park, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
What is the hardest criminal charge to beat?
Each case is unique, so there isn't a hard and fast rule on "which charge is the hardest to beat." Generally speaking, though, white collar crimes, crimes against children, and repeat DUI accusations are treated harshly.
If I'm arrested in Canoga Park, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the authorities 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 a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you without a warrant.
What are diversionary programs?
Diversionary programs, such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court, are alternatives to the traditional court and sentencing process. They normally allow for treatment to be given to people who are accused of a crime, rather than being sent to prison.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Canoga Park, CA?
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 handle cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Depends On It
When you're up against the Canoga Park, CA, prosecutor, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. 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 – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom as soon as possible.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Canoga Park, CA:
Payment Plans
