Criminal defense lawyers in Costa Mesa, CA. Nobody in Costa Mesa, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and this situation requires a experienced Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free review of your case.
Why You Need a Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're biding your time, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California frequently is very tough on crime, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Even worse, the longer you take to work with , the more you risk doing something to unintentionally give the district attorney evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unknowingly making it harder on yourself.
Connecting with a Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
Whether it's midday on the weekend or the middle of the night during the week, you need a lawyer who is prepared for your call. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
How to Handle an Arrest in Costa Mesa, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Costa Mesa, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Follow these steps during and after an arrest, to maximize your chances of a advantageous outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Making a scene, trying to get away, or harming the police won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interrogated by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Speak With a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – before anyone else, make sure to place a call to your lawyer.
- 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 be invaluable.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should gather any facts you have on your case and make copies to show your defense attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with the right Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a potent defense.
The Role of a Costa Mesa, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and know the difference we can make in your life.
We assist you by:
- Studying 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.
- Build a mighty defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, hiring expert analysts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case needs to go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, dissect the state's case against you, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you clear your record once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Costa Mesa, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In Costa Mesa, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. 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 Costa Mesa, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
Theft Charges
Costa Mesa, 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. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Costa Mesa, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a strong defense against these charges. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Costa Mesa, CA.
Finding the Right Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but there's a wide range of quality. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Good Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
The Steps Our Costa Mesa, 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; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, petrifying the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Examine Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Whether 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 show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Look for Deals With the District Attorney – 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 – Since we've been preparing from day one, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
Why Choose Our Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We're highly regarded by both clients and experts. As premier Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. Our rates are affordable, and you can speak to one of our team members any day and any time if you think of anything you need to ask us or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Costa Mesa, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. Most people feel very stressed, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Costa Mesa, 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, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Are arrests also on my criminal 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.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you without a court order.
How does California's Three Strikes law work?
California's Three Strikes law is a system in which certain serious criminal convictions assign a "strike" to a person's records. If that person is convicted of another crime in the future, they can face an increased prison sentence.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Costa Mesa, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. Prosecutors use them to handle cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Reach out right away – 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 building your case today.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Costa Mesa, CA:
Payment Plans
