Criminal defense lawyers in Chula Vista, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Chula Vista, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you're searching for a premier Chula Vista, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consult with an attorney.
Reasons to Find a Chula Vista, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're delaying, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California has a reputation for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Plus, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to unittingly give the state evidence for their case. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be unknowingly digging a deep hole for yourself.
Hiring a Chula Vista, CA, criminal defense lawyer early is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're constantly prepared for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Chula Vista, CA
The arrest process in Chula Vista, 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. Follow these steps while in custody, in order to improve the likelihood of a favorable outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, trying to escape, or attacking the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are questioned by the government officials, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Speak With an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Chula Vista, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Chula Vista, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being released prior to a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should gather whatever facts you have on the charges and share it with your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Chula Vista, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Chula Vista, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
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 start with your story, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your life.
We will go about your case 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.
- Design a strong defense using motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should the case reach trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and demonstrate 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 if needed after the trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Case Types Our Chula Vista, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Chula Vista, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend 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. In Chula Vista, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Hate Crimes
- Brandishing a Weapon
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Chula Vista, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We will fight against any of the following charges in Chula Vista:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Chula Vista, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Chula Vista, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Chula Vista, CA, are as grave as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Chula Vista, CA.
What You Want in a Chula Vista, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Chula Vista, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Positive Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Transparent Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Chula Vista, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Chula Vista, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Investigate Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight 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.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Be Your Go-Between With the District Attorney – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, 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 Chula Vista, 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 from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our connections in Chula Vista, 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.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and legal experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and our phones are available around the clock if need an update on your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Chula Vista, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. 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 Chula Vista, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
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.
How long does a conviction stay on my record in California?
In California, the 'Clean Slate Act' allows for some convictions to automatically be sealed. For most felonies, this occurs after four years, and for most misdemeanors, this occurs after one.
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 if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
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 regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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.
Why do people plea bargain in Chula Vista, 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 use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Call Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. 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 watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Contact us today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense immediately.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Chula Vista, CA:
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