Criminal defense lawyers in Huntington Beach, CA. A Huntington Beach, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you have to call a experienced Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
Whatever the case is, 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 know how to win in a variety of case types. Speak with one of our representatives at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free review of your case.
Reasons to Find a Leading Huntington Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're biding your time, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California has historically been very tough on crime, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference the outcome of your case.
What's more, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to inadvertently give the state evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be unknowingly setting a trap for yourself.
Hiring a Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer early might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, 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 24/7 for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
Arrested in Huntington Beach, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Arrests are high-tension situations in Huntington Beach, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take this advice during the arrest and following court procedures, in order to increase your odds of a advantageous outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Refusing to go, trying to escape, or harming the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are interviewed by the investigators, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Call a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Huntington Beach, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to go about your life prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Gather Evidence: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should organize any data you have related to the charges and make copies to show your attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with a leading Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Huntington Beach, 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 start with your story, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your future.
We approach each case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Create a high-level defense utilizing motions to have evidence thrown out, consulting subject matter experts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if there is a trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate after a court case. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow labels to control you.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Huntington Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Huntington Beach, 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
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. In Huntington Beach, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Huntington Beach, CA. 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:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Huntington Beach, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Huntington Beach, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Huntington Beach, CA that's as significant as murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our legal team with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
What You Want in a Huntington Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Huntington Beach, CA, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Choosing the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships With Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Good Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
The Steps Our Huntington Beach, 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. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Investigate Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- 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.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the District Attorney – 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 break down the prosecution's argument 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 appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
Why Choose Our Huntington Beach, 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 type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We have an esteemed reputation with both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can get in touch with us any day and any time if need an update on your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Huntington Beach, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. It can be hard just to move forward, 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 Huntington Beach, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, 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.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can arrest you even if they don't have a warrant.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Huntington Beach, 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. District attorneys use them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Depends On It
When you're facing charges in Huntington Beach, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Contact us today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom immediately.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Huntington Beach, CA:
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