Criminal defense lawyers in Indio, CA. Everyone in Indio, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you're searching for a leading Indio, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, 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 ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
The Importance of Working With a Indio, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're hesitating, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California has a reputation for being very punishing towards convicts, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Beyond this, the longer you take to work with , the more possible it is to unintentionally give the prosecuting attorney evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be inadvertently making it harder on yourself.
Calling a Indio, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
Whether it's midday on the weekend or the middle of the night during the week, you need a lawyer who is prepared for your call. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available at all times for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Indio, CA
Being arrested in Indio, CA, is a very stressful event. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Here's what to do during and after an arrest, to strengthe your odds of a favorable outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Acting out, trying to escape, or fighting the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interrogated by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Find an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Being able to act freely before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Document Everything: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should gather whatever information you have related to your defense and send it to your attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a premier Indio, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a potent defense.
How Our Indio, 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 your defense should be centered around you, we both craft a defense specific to you and care about the broader implications 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.
- Craft a effective defense using motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court should your charges go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you get a clean slate once the case is over. 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 Indio, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Indio, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Indio, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Our Indio, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- 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 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. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
- Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Indio, 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 Indio:
Theft Charges
Indio, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Indio, CA. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Indio, CA, law firm to protect your rights. 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.
Contact our lawyers if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Indio, CA.
How to Pick a Indio, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Indio, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Partnering with the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
The Steps Our Indio, 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. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our Indio, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options 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 explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Advantages of Working With Our Indio, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have a strong reputation with both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We offer reasonable payment plans, and our phones are available any time of day if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Indio, 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 Indio, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, somthing could get mixed up, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Indio, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Indio, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
Do criminal records in Indio, CA, include arrests?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
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 without a warrant.
If you've already been convicted, what are your options?
California's appeals process is available if there were any errors or mistakes in your court case. A skilled attorney will always explore every available appeals avenue and explain what options you have to keep fighting your conviction.
What are diversionary programs?
Diversionary programs, such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court, are alternatives to the traditional court and sentencing process. They normally allow for treatment to be given to people who are accused of a crime, rather than being sent to prison.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Indio, CA?
Plea bargaining is the process where the state's lawyers and defense lawyer come up with a deal for the defendant, wherein the defendant likely pleas guilty for a reduced penalty. The state uses them to get through cases faster, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Call Our Firm – Your Future Depends On It
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Indio, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Contact us today – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighting an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case right away.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Indio, CA:
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