Criminal defense lawyers in Lompoc, CA. A Lompoc, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you need a premier Lompoc, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a no obligation case review.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Lompoc, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're waiting, the state is working on its case. California has a reputation for being very punishing towards convicts, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Even worse, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more you risk doing something to unittingly give the prosecuting attorney evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Contacting a Lompoc, CA, criminal defense lawyer early 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 reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 around the clock for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
Arrested in Lompoc, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Lompoc, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Do the following while going through the arrest process, to increase your odds of a good outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Being difficult, attempting to flee, or harming the law enforcement officers 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: If you are interrogated by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Talk to a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Lompoc, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should document whatever evidence you have regarding the charges and share it with your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Lompoc, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a strong defense.
The Role of a Lompoc, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. 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 life.
We assist you by:
- Studying your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Build a effective defense making use of motions to have evidence thrown out, utilizing our wide range of resources, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case reaches a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the trial. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
Areas of Expertise for Our Lompoc, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are equipped to defend against anything in Lompoc, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Some of the most common Lompoc, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Lompoc, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Lompoc, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We will fight against any of the following charges in Lompoc:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Lompoc, 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. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. 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
When you're facing murder charges in Lompoc, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. 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.
Contact our legal team today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
Top Qualities for a Lompoc, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Lompoc, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- 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 Lompoc, CA:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and convincing the jury.
The minute you call our Lompoc, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Learn Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight 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.
- 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.
- Look for Deals With the District Attorney – 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 dissect the state's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Advantages of Working With Our Lompoc, 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 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.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting plea bargains that can protect your freedom. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We're top-rated by 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 Lompoc, CA, court. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can talk to one of our representatives any day and any time if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Lompoc, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Lompoc, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, nobody is perfect, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
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.
If I'm arrested in Lompoc, CA, is that on my record?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can detain you without a warrant.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
Why do people plea bargain in Lompoc, 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 handle cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Call Our Lompoc, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Lompoc, 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 defend you.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Get in touch as soon as possible – the Lompoc, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case at once.
We also provide the following legal services in Lompoc, CA:
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