Criminal defense lawyers in Downey, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Downey, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you have to find a experienced Downey, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Downey, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're lagging, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has historically been very tough on crime, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
Plus, the longer you take to work with , the more danger you are in to unintentionally give the police evidence for their case. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.
Reviewing your case with a Downey, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
Arrests can happen any time of day or year, and we're ready to help whenever they happen. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available around the clock for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
Downey, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Being arrested in Downey, CA, is a very stressful event. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Follow these steps during the arrest and following court procedures, to increase the probability of a good outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Making a scene, attempting to flee, or fighting the government officials won't help your case. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Remain Silent: If you are interviewed by the government officials, 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 – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is 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 prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Gather Evidence: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should put together whatever findings you have regarding the charges and provide it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a premier Downey, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
How Our Downey, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We approach each case by:
- Absorbing 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.
- Build a powerful defense often consisting of motions to suppress evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on getting another chance.
Case Categories Our Downey, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Downey, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Downey, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Downey, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Hate Crimes
- Brandishing a Weapon
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Downey, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We will fight against any of the following charges in Downey:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Downey, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Downey, CA:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Downey, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- 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 Downey, CA.
How to Pick a Downey, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Downey, CA, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Choosing the proper criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- 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 Downey, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Downey, 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 Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Negotiate With the State – We'll negotiate to find 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 break down the prosecution's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we 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 Downey, 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 type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. But if your case does reach a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We've received acclaim from both former clients and legal experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We make it easy to understand the costs, and our phones are available 24/7 if need an update on your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Downey, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. 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 Downey, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a Downey, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, people can make mistakes, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level Downey, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Do convictions ever expire from my criminal record in California?
Technically no. Barring special circumstances, after a conviction, the government will always keep it on your record. However, after a certain time period, they can seal the record, lessening the negative impact.
If I'm arrested in Downey, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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 is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Downey. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Call Our Firm – Your Future Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Downey, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Talk to one of our representatives today – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom at once.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Downey, CA:
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