Criminal defense lawyers in Hawthorne, CA. Everyone in Hawthorne, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you need a Hawthorne, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a no obligation case review.
Reasons to Find a Hawthorne, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're lagging, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California has historically been very harsh in sentencing, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Plus, the longer you spend on your own, the more chances you have to inadvertently give the prosecuting attorney evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unknowingly decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Reviewing your case with a Hawthorne, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always prepared for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Hawthorne, CA
The arrest process in Hawthorne, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Do the following during the arrest proceedings, to maximize your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the government officials won't do you any good. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: When you are interrogated by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Contact a Lawyer: 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. Staying out of jail prior to a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should document any findings you have regarding the charges and send it to your attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a skilled Hawthorne, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a mighty defense.
How Our Hawthorne, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 we have a client-centered focus, we both craft a defense specific to you and know the difference we can make in your future.
Our team will support you by:
- Learning about 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.
- Build a strong defense typically featuring motions to have evidence thrown out, working with expert witnesses, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case needs to go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, dissect the state's case against you, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- 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 fresh start once the case is over. 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.
Case Categories Our Hawthorne, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Hawthorne, CA criminal charge, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Some of the most common Hawthorne, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License 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. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Hawthorne, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Hawthorne, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Hawthorne, CA, is murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need an expert Hawthorne, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. 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.
Reach out to our attorneys for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Hawthorne, CA.
What You Want in a Hawthorne, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Hawthorne, 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 getting the best outcome for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Connections Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
The Steps Our Hawthorne, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, scaring the state and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
As soon as you call our Hawthorne, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Examine Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we'll fight to have your case dropped before it grows into a major problem for you.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Look for Deals With the State – We'll look for 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 scrutinize the state's case at trial and present a convincing defense 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 verdict to reclaim your freedom.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Hawthorne, 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 can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We've received acclaim 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 Hawthorne, CA, court. Our rates are affordable, and our phones are available around the clock if you learn something new about your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Hawthorne, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. Most people feel very stressed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Hawthorne, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Hawthorne, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Yes, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
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 detain you without a court order.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. The state uses them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Freedom Depends On It
When you're facing charges in Hawthorne, 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.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. 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 building your defense as soon as possible.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Hawthorne, CA:
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