Criminal defense lawyers in Menifee, CA. Everyone in Menifee, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you need a Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consult with an attorney.
Why You Need a Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're biding your time, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California can be very tough on crime, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Plus, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more you risk doing something to unittingly give the police evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Calling a Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your attorney may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 available at all times for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
Arrested in Menifee, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Nobody in Menifee, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Do the following while going through the arrest process, in order to enhance your chances of a good outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the police won't do you any good. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: If you are interviewed by the government officials, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): you might be released without being charged, but if you are, you will probably be given an option to post bail. Being able to act freely before a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should collect whatever facts you have related to your case and provide it to your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Menifee, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because we start with your story, we both craft a defense specific to you and care about the broader implications on your future.
We will go about your case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Create a fierce defense utilizing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case reaches a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you clear your record after a court case. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on getting another chance.
Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Menifee, CA criminal charge, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Menifee, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run 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. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Menifee, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Menifee, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. 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 are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Menifee, CA that's as significant as murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a Menifee, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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.
Get in touch with our legal team to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Menifee, CA.
What To Look For in Your Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Menifee, CA, but not every one is going to be prepared to fight your case. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Good Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Open and Honest Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Menifee, CA:
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're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
When you call our Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Investigate 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, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, without excessive bail.
- Negotiate With the District Attorney – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll scrutinize the state'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 appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Menifee, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We have a strong reputation with both former clients and legal experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can speak to one of our team members whenever you need to if you learn something new about your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Menifee, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Menifee, 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 – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, nobody is perfect, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in Menifee, CA?
The circumstances around your DUI will have a major impact on its outcome. If it's your first DUI and you work with the right attorney, there's a good chance you can avoid jail time. However, repeat DUIs are often treated much more harshly and can be felonies.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Menifee, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Menifee, 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?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice 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 police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. The state uses them to save time, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Contact Our Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
When you're up against the Menifee, CA, prosecutor, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Don't wait – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom as soon as possible.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Menifee, CA:
Payment Plans
