Criminal defense lawyers in Cerritos, CA. A Cerritos, 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 you've been falsely accused, 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 have to call a Cerritos, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
For any criminal charges in Cerritos, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Talk to a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free consultation on your case.
Why You Need a Cerritos, 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 lagging, the the evidence against you is piling up. California is often very harsh in sentencing, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
Even worse, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more likely you are to unintentionally give the prosecuting attorney evidence that could be used to convict you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Working with a Cerritos, CA, criminal defense lawyer early 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 lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 always ready 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.
How to Handle an Arrest in Cerritos, CA
Being arrested in Cerritos, CA, is a very stressful event. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Here's what to do during the arrest and following court procedures, in order to maximize your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Being difficult, running, or harming the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Answer Questions: If you are interrogated by the investigators, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Speak With 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): Most people charged with a crime in Cerritos, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom prior to a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Collect Evidence: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should organize any findings you have regarding the charges and provide it to your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with a leading Cerritos, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a potent defense.
How Our Cerritos, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because all our cases are focused on our client, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and care about the broader implications on your life.
We will go about your case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Prepare a fierce defense often consisting of motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if there is a trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and create 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 drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a fresh start once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.
Areas of Expertise for Our Cerritos, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys 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. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Some of the most common Cerritos, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing 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. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Cerritos, 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. 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
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Cerritos, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. 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. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Cerritos, CA. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. 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.
Contact our attorneys if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Cerritos, CA.
Finding the Right Cerritos, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Cerritos, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but there's a wide range of quality. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Good Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
How We Fight in the Cerritos, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Cerritos, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Research Your Charges – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
What You Can Expect From Our Cerritos, 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 can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Our connections in Cerritos, CA, courts allow us to get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We're top-rated by both clients and legal experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Cerritos, CA, court. Our rates are affordable, and our phones are available at all times if 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 Cerritos, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. 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 Cerritos, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Cerritos, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, errors can always happen, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Do convictions ever expire from my criminal record in California?
Technically no. Barring special circumstances, after a conviction, the government will always keep it on your record. However, after a certain time period, they can seal the record, lessening the negative impact.
Do criminal records in Cerritos, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the state keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can detain you without a court order.
What are the consequences of a criminal conviction?
Criminal convictions often carry fines and either prison or jail time. On top of that, you can face challenges in employment, housing, professional licensing, and possibly immigration. Because of this, it's critical to work with a criminal defense lawyer to minimize your chances of being convicted in the first place.
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. District attorneys use them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
Whatever Cerritos, CA, charges you're facing, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Contact us today – 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 building your case without delay.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Cerritos, CA:
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