Criminal defense lawyers in Covina, CA. Nobody in Covina, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and you're in need of a Covina, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Covina, 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 police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California frequently is very harsh in sentencing, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference the outcome of your case.
What's more, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to unintentionally give the prosecuting attorney evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Working with a Covina, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your 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 always ready for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Covina, CA
Being arrested in Covina, CA, is a very stressful event. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Here's what to do while going through the arrest process, to strengthe your odds of a favorable outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Refusing to go, trying to escape, or harming the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: 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.
- Talk to a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. 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 put together all data you have on your defense and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with an expert Covina, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a potent defense.
How Our Covina, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because of our individual-tailored approach, we both craft a defense specific to you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your future.
We approach each case by:
- Researching your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Build a powerful defense typically featuring motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case needs to go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, 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 offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
Case Categories Our Covina, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Covina, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Covina, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Our Covina, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- 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 are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. 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 Covina, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. If you're accused in Covina of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Covina, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
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
Few charges in Covina, CA, are as grave as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
What You Want in a Covina, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Covina, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not all law firms are created equal. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Insights About Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- High Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Transparent Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
How We Fight in the Covina, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Covina, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Investigate Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Communicate With the State – 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 – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
What You Can Expect From Our Covina, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Our connections in Covina, CA, courts allow us to get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We've received acclaim from both clients and legal experts. As premier Covina, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can get in touch with us 24/7 if need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Covina, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. It can be hard just to move forward, 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 Covina, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a Covina, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in Covina, CA?
The circumstances around your DUI will have a major impact on its outcome. If it's your first DUI and you work with the right attorney, there's a good chance you can avoid jail time. However, repeat DUIs are often treated much more harshly and can be felonies.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Covina, 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 arrests go on my record in California?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the government 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 place you under arrest without a warrant.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Covina, 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 manage their high caseloads, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Freedom Depends On It
For any criminal charges in Covina, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You deserve top-notch representation. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Call now – 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 defense at once.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Covina, CA:
Payment Plans
