Criminal defense lawyers in Elk Grove, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Elk Grove, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe one of your friends broke the law, and you've just gotten wrapped up in it, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you urgently need a experienced Elk Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. 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 tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Elk Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're holding back, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has historically been very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference for your future freedom.
Plus, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more likely you are to offhandedly give the police evidence that hurts you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unknowingly setting a trap for yourself.
Reaching out to a Elk Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away 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 attorney may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 always ready 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.
Elk Grove, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
The arrest process in Elk Grove, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take this advice during the arrest and following court procedures, to strengthen your chances of a good outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Causing trouble, attempting to flee, or attacking the law enforcement officers won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interrogated by the authorities, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Find a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – be sure one of them is 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. Securing your freedom prior to a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should organize whatever findings you have related to your defense and send it to your defense attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a premier Elk Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a mighty defense.
The Role of a Elk Grove, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because of our individual-tailored approach, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
Our team will support you by:
- Studying 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.
- Create a strong defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should your charges go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, display the flaws in the state's case, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Case Types Our Elk Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Elk Grove, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Elk Grove, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. 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 Elk Grove, 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 cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. 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 Elk Grove, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. If you're accused in Elk Grove of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Elk Grove, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Elk Grove, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Elk Grove, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a Elk Grove, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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.
Contact our legal team for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Elk Grove, CA.
Top Qualities for a Elk Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Elk Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Partnering with the right criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
The Steps Our Elk Grove, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and persuading the jury.
As soon as you call our Elk Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Examine Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the Prosecution – 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 challenge the district attorney at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
Why Choose Our Elk Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Elk Grove, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
W're known for our success amongst 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 Elk Grove, CA, court. We're upfront with our fees, and you can call us at any time if need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Elk Grove, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. It can be hard just to move forward, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Elk Grove, 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, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Elk Grove, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Elk Grove, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
If I'm arrested in Elk Grove, CA, is that on my record?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice 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?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you without a warrant.
What are diversionary programs?
Diversionary programs, such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court, are alternatives to the traditional court and sentencing process. They normally allow for treatment to be given to people who are accused of a crime, rather than being sent to prison.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. Prosecutors use them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Call Our Firm – Your Future Depends On It
When you're facing charges in Elk Grove, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Start working on your case today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story without delay.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Elk Grove, CA:
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