Criminal defense lawyers in Fountain Valley, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Fountain Valley, CA, 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 choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you need to contact a premier Fountain Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free review of your case.
Why You Need a Fountain Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're holding back, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California is often very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
Even worse, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to inadvertently give the police evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. 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.
Hiring a Fountain Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your attorney may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available around the clock for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
Arrested in Fountain Valley, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Being arrested in Fountain Valley, CA, is a very stressful event. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Here's what to do while in custody, in order to enhance your odds of a positive outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Refusing to go, attempting to flee, or attacking the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interviewed by the investigators, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Call an Attorney: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – before anyone else, make sure to place a call 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. Being able to go about your life prior to a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should collect all facts you have on your case and send it to your defense attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with an expert Fountain Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a potent defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Fountain Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because your defense should be centered around you, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We approach each case by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Design a powerful defense often consisting of motions to suppress evidence, hiring expert analysts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court should your charges go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state 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 if needed after the trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over 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.
Fountain Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Fountain Valley, 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. 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 Fountain Valley, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- 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. 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. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Fountain Valley, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
Theft Charges
Fountain Valley, 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 socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Fountain Valley, CA, are as grave as murder. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a Fountain Valley, 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Fountain Valley, CA.
Finding the Right Fountain Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Fountain Valley, CA, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Hiring the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
The Steps Our Fountain Valley, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Fountain Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Gather Info About Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Fountain Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Our connections in Fountain Valley, CA, courts allow us to get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We've received acclaim from both former clients and experts. As premier Fountain Valley, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can talk to one of our representatives at any time if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Fountain Valley, 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 it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Fountain Valley, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, somthing could get mixed up, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
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 Fountain Valley, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, 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.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can place you under arrest even if they don't have a warrant.
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 are the advantages of plea bargaining in Fountain Valley, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Fountain Valley. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. District attorneys use them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our Firm – Your Freedom Depends On It
When you're facing charges in Fountain Valley, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. 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 – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom the minute we get in touch.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Fountain Valley, CA:
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