Criminal defense lawyers in Compton, CA. Nobody in Compton, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe someone asked you for a favor, and you didn't realize it was illegal. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and this situation requires a leading Compton, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consultation on your case.
Why You Need a Compton, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're holding back, the state is working on its case. California can be very tough on crime, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Even worse, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more you risk doing something to unittingly give the district attorney evidence for their case. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be inadvertently making your case harder to fight.
Working with a Compton, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away can give you access to different, easier resolutions. 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.
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 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 Compton, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Compton, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Here's what to do during and after an arrest, to strengthen your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Making a scene, trying to escape, or attacking the law enforcement officers won't do you any good. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interrogated by the police, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Call a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Compton, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out 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. Being able to act freely before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Document Everything: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should document any data you have regarding the charges and share it with your defense attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Compton, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a mighty defense.
The Role of a Compton, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and know the difference we can make in your life.
We give our clients superb representation 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 mighty defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you carry on after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Compton, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Compton, CA criminal charge, and are equipped to defend against anything in Compton, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers 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. Some of the most common Compton, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Compton, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Compton, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. If you're accused in Compton of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Compton, 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. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
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 can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Compton, CA:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Compton, CA that's as significant as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a strong defense against these charges. 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.
Contact our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Compton, CA.
What You Want in a Compton, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Compton, CA, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Compton, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and convincing the jury.
As soon as you call our Compton, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Gather Info About 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, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- 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, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Look for Deals With the State – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll break down the prosecution's argument 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.
Why Choose Our Compton, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. That said, if there is a trial in your case, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Compton, CA, court. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can get in touch with us 24/7 if need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Compton, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. There's a lot you're trying to find out, 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 Compton, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Compton, CA?
There are options to seal your records for many misdemeanors and even several felonies. In California, this process is called sealing a record, but is sometimes referred to as expungement. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with this process.
Do criminal records in Compton, CA, include arrests?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you without a court order.
How does sentencing work in Compton, CA?
In Compton, CA, sentences for criminal convictions normally fall into one of two situations:
- After a plea deal, the sentence is usually whatever was agreed upon
- After a conviction in a trial, the judge will use legal guidelines to decide on a sentence
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Compton, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to save time, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Get in Touch With Our Compton, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're up against the Compton, CA, prosecutor, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Talk to an attorney today – 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 making a plan to keep you out of prison and protecting your rights.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Compton, CA:
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