Criminal defense lawyers in Costa Mesa, CA. Everyone in Costa Mesa, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and you're finding yourself needing a Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a no obligation case review.
Why You Need a Leading Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're hesitating, the the evidence against you is piling up. California is known for being very harsh in sentencing, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Additionally, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to carelessly give the prosecuting attorney evidence for their case. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally making your case harder to fight.
Working 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 fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your defense lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
When you're accused of a crime, it doesn't matter what time it is. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Costa Mesa, CA
Nobody in Costa Mesa, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Follow these steps while going through the arrest process, to increase your odds of a beneficial outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Being difficult, attempting to flee, or attacking the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interviewed by the authorities, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Call a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Costa Mesa, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one 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 prior to a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Collect Evidence: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect whatever information you have related to your defense and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a leading Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a mighty defense.
How Our Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 your defense should be centered around you, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your life.
We approach each case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Prepare a powerful defense making use of motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should your charges go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, 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 can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you clear your record after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on getting another chance.
Areas of Expertise for Our Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Costa Mesa, CA criminal charge, and are equipped to defend against anything in Costa Mesa, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In Costa Mesa, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Costa Mesa, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Costa Mesa, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. 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
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Costa Mesa, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. 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. 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
It's hard to thing of a charge in Costa Mesa, CA that's as significant 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. 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
What To Look For in Your Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Costa Mesa, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Hiring the proper criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Positive 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.
- Transparent Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Costa Mesa, CA:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. 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, scaring the state and persuading the jury.
The minute you call our Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we'll fight to have your case dropped before it grows into a major problem for you.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Look for Deals With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Advantages of Working With Our Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. We know the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Our connections in Costa Mesa, CA, courts allow us to get alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
You can hear about our stellar performance from 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 offer reasonable payment plans, and you can speak to one of our team members at 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
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. 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 it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, people can make mistakes, 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.
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.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can place you under arrest even if they don't have a warrant.
How does sentencing work in Costa Mesa, CA?
In Costa Mesa, 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 Costa Mesa, CA?
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. The state uses them to handle cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Contact Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Whatever Costa Mesa, CA, charges you're facing, you need a strong defense strategy. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Get in touch as soon as possible – 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 telling your side of the story as soon as possible.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Costa Mesa, CA:
Payment Plans
