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 a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe one of your friends broke the law, and you've just gotten wrapped up in it, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and you need a Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.
Why You Need a Long Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're delaying, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is known for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Beyond this, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more possible it is to accidentally give the prosecution evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Calling a Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, 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 will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
Long Beach, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Long Beach, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take this advice while going through the arrest process, in order to increase the probability of a good outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Acting out, trying to escape, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't improve your situation. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interrogated by the government officials, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Find a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Long Beach, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Long Beach, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to act freely before a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Document Everything: As a first step in building your defense, you should gather all findings you have related to your case and provide it to your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a premier Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a strong defense.
The Role of a Long Beach, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 all our cases are focused on our client, we both build a defense based around your situation and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We will go about your case by:
- Researching 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 rock-solid defense typically featuring motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, dissect the state's case against you, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a fresh start once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Long Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Long Beach, CA criminal charge, and are equipped to defend against anything in Long Beach, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Long Beach, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. 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
- Drive-By Shooting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Long Beach, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Long Beach, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. 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 particularly heinous ones to be accused of. 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
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Long Beach, CA, is murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a leading Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer on 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.
Contact our attorneys for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Long Beach, CA.
How to Pick a Long Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Long Beach, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Choosing the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections With Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Stellar Reputation – they should be known for providing quality and compassionate service.
- 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 – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the Long Beach, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and persuading the jury.
When 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:
- Understand Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the District Attorney – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Advantages of Working With 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 type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get 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, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We're well-known and well-regarded by both clients and legal experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can talk to one of our representatives 24/7 if you need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Long Beach, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. It can be hard just to move forward, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Long Beach, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
How long does a conviction stay on my record in California?
In California, the 'Clean Slate Act' allows for some convictions to automatically be sealed. For most felonies, this occurs after four years, and for most misdemeanors, this occurs after one.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, 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.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest 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 without a court order.
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.
Why do people plea bargain in Long Beach, CA?
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. District attorneys use them to get through cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Call Our Firm – Your Future Is at Stake
Whatever Long Beach, CA, charges you're facing, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Don't wait – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom now.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Long Beach, CA:
Payment Plans
