Criminal defense lawyers in Encinitas, CA. Nobody in Encinitas, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and this situation requires a Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
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 leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
Reasons to Find a Leading Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're pausing, the the evidence against you is piling up. California is known for being very harsh in sentencing, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Beyond this, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to carelessly give the police evidence they can use against you. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally digging a deep hole for yourself.
Contacting a Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. 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 ready at all times for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Encinitas, CA
The arrest process in Encinitas, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Take the below steps while going through the arrest process, in order to improve the likelihood of a advantageous outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Making a scene, running, or attacking the government officials won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: When you are interviewed by the investigators, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Call an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- 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. Securing your freedom before a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should document whatever data you have related to the charges and make copies to show your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a premier Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a strong defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 we take the time to get to know you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your future.
We assist you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Create a effective defense typically featuring motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case needs to go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, display the flaws in the state's case, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Encinitas, CA, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. In Encinitas, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- 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. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
- Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Encinitas, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Fentanyl
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Encinitas, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
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. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Encinitas, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Encinitas, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a Encinitas, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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 attorneys for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
What You Want in a Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Encinitas, CA, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Partnering with the proper criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
The Steps Our Encinitas, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and persuading the jury.
When you call our Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Study Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if possible, we'll find a way to have the charges dismissed, and make it almost as though you were never accused.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Look for Deals With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting 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 deconstruct the case against you at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Our Encinitas, 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 strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Our connections in Encinitas, CA, courts allow us to get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We're highly regarded by both former clients and legal experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We're upfront with our fees, and you can speak to one of our team members at any time if you need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Encinitas, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Encinitas, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in Encinitas, 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.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities 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 a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
Why do people plea bargain in Encinitas, 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. Prosecutors use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. 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.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. 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 telling your side of the story right away.
We also provide the following legal services in Encinitas, CA:
Payment Plans
