Criminal defense lawyers in Madera, CA. Everyone in Madera, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you're searching for a Madera, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Madera, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're pausing, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California has a reputation for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
Beyond this, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to carelessly give the district attorney evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be unintentionally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Hiring a Madera, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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 can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Madera, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Being arrested in Madera, CA, is a very stressful event. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Do the following while in custody, in order to enhance your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the government officials won't help your case. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If 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."
- Talk to an Attorney: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Madera, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Staying out of jail prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Document Everything: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect any findings you have related to your case and make copies to show your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Madera, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Madera, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because we have a client-centered focus, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
Our attorneys do this by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Create a fierce defense using motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, dissect the state's case against you, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser 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'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on getting another chance.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Madera, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Madera, CA criminal charge, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In Madera, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Madera, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Madera, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. 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 frequently come with a harsh social stigma. 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
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Madera, CA, is murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a strong defense against these charges. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our legal team for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
How to Pick a Madera, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Madera, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Stellar Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- 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.
The Steps Our Madera, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, facing down the district attorney and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
The minute you call our Madera, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Learn Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight 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 argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Connect With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
What You Can Expect From Our Madera, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Madera, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We're highly regarded by both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. Our rates are affordable, and you can speak to one of our team members regardless of the time if you think of anything you need to ask us or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Madera, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. 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 Madera, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, nobody is perfect, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
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 arrested in Madera, CA, is that on my record?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
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 without a warrant.
If you've already been convicted, what are your options?
California's appeals process is available if there were any errors or mistakes in your court case. A skilled attorney will always explore every available appeals avenue and explain what options you have to keep fighting your conviction.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Madera. 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 manage their high caseloads, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in Madera, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. 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. Talk to an attorney today – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case right now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Madera, CA:
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