Criminal defense lawyers in Fresno, CA. Nobody in Fresno, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you're in need of a Fresno, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consultation on your case.
Why You Need a Fresno, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're waiting, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California is often very punishing towards convicts, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
On a related note, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to offhandedly give the prosecution 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 accidentally setting a trap for yourself.
Connecting with a Fresno, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your defense lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
How to Handle an Arrest in Fresno, CA
The arrest process in Fresno, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Do the following while in custody, to increase the probability of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the police won't improve your situation. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are questioned by the government officials, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Find a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – the most important thing to do is reach out to your lawyer.
- 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. Staying out of jail prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect all information you have regarding your case and share it with your defense attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with a leading Fresno, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a staunch defense.
How Our Fresno, 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 we take the time to get to know you, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your future.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Prepare a effective defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, 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 fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you carry on after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Fresno, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Fresno, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Fresno, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Some of the most common Fresno, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Fresno, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. We will fight against any of the following charges in Fresno:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Fresno, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
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. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Fresno, 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. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Fresno, CA.
Top Qualities for a Fresno, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Fresno, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Hiring the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Positive Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Clear Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Fresno, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, scaring the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our Fresno, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Examine Your Charges – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue 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 show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll battle against the state at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, 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 Fresno, 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 use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our connections in Fresno, CA, courts allow us to get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We're highly regarded by both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can get in touch with us at any time if you think of anything you need to ask us or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Fresno, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, 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 Fresno, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Fresno, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, errors can always happen, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
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 Fresno, CA, is that on my record?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the state keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can detain you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
What is plea bargaining?
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 get through cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Contact Our Firm – Your Future Depends On It
For any criminal charges in Fresno, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. This isn't a time to play games with your freedom. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Get in touch as soon as possible – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case immediately.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Fresno, CA:
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