Criminal defense lawyers in La Jolla, CA. Everyone in La Jolla, CA, hopes that they'll never 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 were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you need to contact a experienced La Jolla, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is experienced, knowledgeable, and prepared to help. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.
Reasons to Find a La Jolla, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're holding back, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California frequently is very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Even worse, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to unconsciously give the police evidence against you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unintentionally digging a deep hole for yourself.
Connecting with a La Jolla, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
When you're accused of a crime, it doesn't matter what time it is. 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.
La Jolla, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Arrests are high-tension situations in La Jolla, CA. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Follow these steps during the arrest proceedings, in order to strengthe your odds of a positive outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Acting out, trying to get away, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't do you any good. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are questioned by the government officials, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Find a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in La Jolla, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Being able to go about your life prior to a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should document all findings you have on your case and provide it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with an expert La Jolla, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a staunch defense.
How Our La Jolla, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we have a client-centered focus, we both build a defense based around your situation and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
Our attorneys do this 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.
- Design a effective defense by filing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, working with expert witnesses, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, dissect the state's case against you, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you move on with your life after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's La Jolla, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any La Jolla, CA criminal charge, and are equipped to defend against anything in La Jolla, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys will stand by your side against:
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. Traffic charges we commonly defend in La Jolla, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in La Jolla, CA. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in La Jolla, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. If you're accused in La Jolla of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
Theft Charges
La Jolla, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. 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 are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in La Jolla, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in La Jolla, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a La Jolla, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in La Jolla, CA.
Finding the Right La Jolla, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in La Jolla, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Working with 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 – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Stellar 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in La Jolla, CA:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and convincing the jury.
The minute you call our La Jolla, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Understand Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Whether 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.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – 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.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll dissect the state's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
What You Can Expect From Our La Jolla, 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 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.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting 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, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
W're known for our success amongst 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 La Jolla, CA, court. Our rates are affordable, and you can call us any time of day if you need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in La Jolla, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, 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 La Jolla, 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 investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, nobody is perfect, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level La Jolla, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in La Jolla, CA?
There are options to seal your records for many misdemeanors and even several felonies. In California, this process is called sealing a record, but is sometimes referred to as expungement. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with this process.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for 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 even if they don't have a warrant.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in La Jolla, 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. District attorneys use them to get through cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With Our La Jolla, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Is at Stake
When you're up against the La Jolla, CA, prosecutor, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Reach out right away – 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 defending your freedom the minute we get in touch.
We also provide the following legal services in La Jolla, CA:
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