Criminal defense lawyers in Cathedral City, CA. A Cathedral City, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally 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 best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you're finding yourself needing a Cathedral City, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a no obligation consulation.
The Importance of Working With a Cathedral City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're biding your time, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California has historically been very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Even worse, the longer you spend on your own, the more likely you are to unittingly give the state evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be inadvertently making your case harder to fight.
Contacting a Cathedral City, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP 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 defense attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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 around the clock for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Cathedral City, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Cathedral City, 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, in order to enhance the likelihood of a positive outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Making a scene, trying to get away, or fighting the government officials won't do you any good. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interviewed by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Contact a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Cathedral City, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – be sure one of them 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. Staying out of jail before 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 document any data you have on your case and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with an expert Cathedral City, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a strong defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Cathedral City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because your defense should be centered around you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you 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 – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Create a effective defense often consisting of motions to have evidence thrown out, utilizing our wide range of resources, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case needs to go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move on with your life 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.
Case Categories Our Cathedral City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Cathedral City, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side 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. In Cathedral City, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Cathedral City, CA. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Cathedral City, 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. If you're accused in Cathedral City of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Cathedral City, 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. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Cathedral City, CA:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Cathedral City, CA that's as significant as murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. 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
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Top Qualities for a Cathedral City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Cathedral City, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but not all law firms are created equal. Partnering with the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- 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.
- Positive Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Open and Honest Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
How We Fight in the Cathedral City, 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. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Cathedral City, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Evaluate Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – 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, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Advantages of Working With Our Cathedral City, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. But if your case does reach a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We're upfront with our fees, and you can talk to one of our representatives regardless of the time 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 Cathedral City, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. Most people feel very stressed, 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 Cathedral City, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a Cathedral City, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, people can make mistakes, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Cathedral City, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Cathedral City, 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 Cathedral City, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the government 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?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can detain you without a warrant.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Cathedral City. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person 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.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're up against the Cathedral City, CA, prosecutor, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Call now – 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 telling your side of the story immediately.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Cathedral City, CA:
Payment Plans
