Criminal defense lawyers in Lake Elsinore, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Lake Elsinore, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and this situation requires a Lake Elsinore, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the leading 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 use our online contact form for a free consultation on your case.
Reasons to Find a Lake Elsinore, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're biding your time, the the evidence against you is piling up. California can be very tough on crime, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Additionally, the longer you spend on your own, the more possible it is to inadvertently give the state evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. 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 making it harder on yourself.
Working with a Lake Elsinore, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your defense lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 available at all times for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Lake Elsinore, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Lake Elsinore, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take this advice during and after an arrest, to enhance the likelihood of a favorable outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Making a scene, trying to get away, or harming the law enforcement officers won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Remain Silent: If you are questioned by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Find an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Lake Elsinore, CA, is to make a serious of 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. Being released prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should organize all facts you have regarding your case and provide it to your attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with the right Lake Elsinore, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a mighty defense.
The Role of a Lake Elsinore, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we listen to you first, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and know the difference we can make in your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Researching your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Create a high-level defense typically featuring motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case reaches a trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, dissect the state's case against you, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you move on with your life after a court case. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.
Lake Elsinore, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In Lake Elsinore, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Lake Elsinore, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. We will fight against any of the following charges in Lake Elsinore:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Lake Elsinore, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
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. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Lake Elsinore, CA:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Lake Elsinore, CA, is murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a Lake Elsinore, 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
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our legal team today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
What You Want in a Lake Elsinore, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Lake Elsinore, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About 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.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the Lake Elsinore, CA, Court System 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 sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Lake Elsinore, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Study Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that works for you.
- 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, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Lake Elsinore, 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 the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, 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 plea bargains that can protect your freedom. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can call us whenever you need to 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 Lake Elsinore, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. It can be hard just to move forward, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Lake Elsinore, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Lake Elsinore, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, somthing could get mixed up, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Lake Elsinore, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Lake Elsinore, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
If I'm arrested in Lake Elsinore, CA, is that on my record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the state 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 police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can place you under arrest even if they don't have a warrant.
What is plea bargaining?
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. Prosecutors use them to save time, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Contact Our Lake Elsinore, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Call now – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case right away.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Lake Elsinore, CA:
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