Criminal defense lawyers in Long Beach, CA. A Long Beach, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you urgently need a leading Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
For any criminal charges in Long Beach, 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 know how to win in a variety of case types. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation on your case.
Reasons to Find a Long Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're lagging, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California has a reputation for being very harsh in sentencing, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference for your future freedom.
Plus, the longer you spend on your own, the more chances you have to unconsciously give the prosecution evidence that could be used to convict you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unknowingly setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Hiring a Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches 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.
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 always prepared for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Long Beach, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in Long Beach, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take the below steps while in custody, to strengthe your odds of a advantageous outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Refusing to go, running, or harming the law enforcement officers won't improve your situation. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the police, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Find 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): 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 trial can be invaluable.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should put together any information you have regarding the charges and send it to your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a premier Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a strong defense.
The Role of a Long Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because we listen to you first, we both craft a defense specific to you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Create a rock-solid defense through motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, working with expert witnesses, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, dissect the state's case against you, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you move on with your life once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Long Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Long Beach, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
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. Some of the most common Long Beach, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Long Beach, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. If you're accused in Long Beach of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Long Beach, 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. 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. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Long Beach, CA. 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
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
Finding the Right Long Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but some stand out from the rest. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Positive Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
The Steps Our Long Beach, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and persuading the jury.
As soon as you call our Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Examine Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Connect With the District Attorney – We'll look for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
What You Can Expect From Our Long Beach, 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 the way the prosecution builds its case, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. That said, if there is a trial in your case, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We're well-known and well-regarded by both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Long Beach, CA, court. We're upfront with our fees, and our phones are available around the clock if you 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 Long Beach, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. 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 Long Beach, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, errors can always happen, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
What is the hardest criminal charge to beat?
Each case is unique, so there isn't a hard and fast rule on "which charge is the hardest to beat." Generally speaking, though, white collar crimes, crimes against children, and repeat DUI accusations are treated harshly.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Long Beach, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Long Beach, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
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 arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Long Beach. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to save time, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Don't wait – 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 today.
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