Criminal defense lawyers in Garden Grove, CA. Nobody in Garden Grove, 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 a family member is running out of time to get help, and you need to contact a experienced Garden Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
Whatever you need help facing, 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. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Garden Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're holding back, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California is known for being very punishing towards convicts, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference for your future freedom.
Plus, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to inadvertently give the prosecution evidence against you. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be unknowingly digging a deep hole for yourself.
Calling a Garden Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyer early 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.
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 always available for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
Arrested in Garden Grove, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Being arrested in Garden Grove, CA, is a very stressful event. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take the below steps during and after an arrest, to increase your odds of a beneficial outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Causing trouble, attempting to flee, 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 interviewed by the investigators, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Contact a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Garden Grove, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Document Everything: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should put together all data you have regarding the charges and make copies to show your criminal defense lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Garden Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
How Our Garden Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 of our individual-tailored approach, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
Our attorneys do this by:
- Researching 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.
- Prepare a effective defense by filing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, working with expert witnesses, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court should the case reach trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, dissect the state's case against you, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Areas of Expertise for Our Garden Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Garden Grove, CA, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every 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. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. Our Garden Grove, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- 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 are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Garden Grove, 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 will fight against any of the following charges in Garden Grove:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Garden Grove, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
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. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Garden Grove, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Garden Grove, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Garden Grove, CA.
Top Qualities for a Garden Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Garden Grove, CA, but there's a wide range of quality. Working with the right 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 – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections With 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.
- Good Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Transparent Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
How We Fight in the Garden Grove, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the state and satisfying the jury.
As soon as you call our Garden Grove, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Investigate Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either 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.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, without excessive bail.
- Negotiate With the State – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll dissect the state's argument at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
The Advantages of Working With Our Garden Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and legal experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Garden Grove, CA, court. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can call us any time of day if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Garden Grove, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. 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 Garden Grove, CA, residents ask about 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, people can make mistakes, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
What is the hardest criminal charge to beat?
Each case is unique, so there isn't a hard and fast rule on "which charge is the hardest to beat." Generally speaking, though, white collar crimes, crimes against children, and repeat DUI accusations are treated harshly.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Garden Grove, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Garden Grove, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities 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?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest even if they don't have a warrant.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Garden Grove. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to save time, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our Garden Grove, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. Our firm's criminal defense lawyers are prepared to give you expert defensive representation.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Don't wait – 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 defense as soon as possible.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Garden Grove, CA:
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