Criminal defense lawyers in Manhattan Beach, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Manhattan Beach, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you need to contact a premier Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect 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 leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a Manhattan Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're lagging, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is often very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Beyond this, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more danger you are in to offhandedly give the district attorney evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be unintentionally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Reaching out to a Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. 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.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're constantly prepared for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
Manhattan Beach, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
The arrest process in Manhattan Beach, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take the below steps during the arrest and following court procedures, to improve the likelihood of a good outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Making a scene, running, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: If you are interviewed by the authorities, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Securing your freedom before a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should gather any facts you have regarding your defense and share it with your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with a premier Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a potent defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Manhattan Beach, 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 all our cases are focused on our client, 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 give our clients superb representation by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Craft a effective defense making use of motions to have evidence thrown out, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if there is a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
Areas of Expertise for Our Manhattan Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
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. In Manhattan Beach, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA. They range from assault to resisting arrest. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Manhattan Beach, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Manhattan Beach, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. 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. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Manhattan Beach, CA. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Manhattan Beach, CA.
What You Want in a Manhattan Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Insights About Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Good Reputation – they should be known for providing quality and compassionate service.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Manhattan Beach, CA:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, facing down the district attorney and satisfying the jury.
The minute you call our Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Research Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and present a convincing defense 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 Manhattan Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Manhattan Beach, 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 type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Our connections in Manhattan Beach, CA, courts allow us to get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We've received acclaim from both former 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 make it easy to understand the costs, and our phones are available any time of day if you need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Manhattan Beach, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. Most people feel very stressed, 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 Manhattan Beach, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
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.
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.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can detain you without a court order.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is the process by which your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney negotiate to find a lighter sentence for the person charged with a crime, in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors 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 the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Manhattan Beach, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Don't wait – 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 telling your side of the story right away.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Manhattan Beach, CA:
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