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 even though you were trying not to. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you urgently need a experienced Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consult with an attorney.
Why You Need a Leading Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're holding back, the the evidence against you is piling up. California frequently is very punishing towards convicts, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference for your future freedom.
Additionally, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more you risk doing something to unintentionally give the police 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 inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Connecting with a Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your defense lawyer 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 constantly prepared for your call and don't make you wait — we're ready to start working on your case as soon as we pick up the phone.
Arrested in Menifee, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Nobody in Menifee, CA, enjoys getting arrested. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Here's what to do while in custody, in order to increase your odds of a positive outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Refusing to go, attempting to flee, or harming the government officials 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: When you are interviewed by the government officials, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Speak With a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Menifee, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – be sure one of them is 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 released before a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Document Everything: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should document whatever data you have related to your case and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with a leading Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both craft a defense specific to you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Studying your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Design a rock-solid defense utilizing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, consulting subject matter experts, 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 district attorney 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 if needed after the trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you start over after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
Case Categories Our Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. In Menifee, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Menifee, CA. 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, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Menifee, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
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. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Menifee, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need an expert Menifee, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. 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.
Get in touch with our lawyers today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
What To Look For in Your Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Menifee, CA, but there's a wide range of quality. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Menifee, CA:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
The minute you call our Menifee, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Evaluate 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, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Negotiate With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Advantages of Working With Our Menifee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know from personal experience how the state crafts its case, 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 the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. But if your case does reach a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have an esteemed reputation with both clients and legal experts. As premier Menifee, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can get in touch with us 24/7 if you have any questions or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Menifee, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Menifee, 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, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Menifee, CA?
There are options to seal your records for many misdemeanors and even several felonies. In California, this process is called sealing a record, but is sometimes referred to as expungement. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with this process.
If I'm arrested in Menifee, CA, is that on my record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the state keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can detain you without a court order.
What are the consequences of a criminal conviction?
Criminal convictions often carry fines and either prison or jail time. On top of that, you can face challenges in employment, housing, professional licensing, and possibly immigration. Because of this, it's critical to work with a criminal defense lawyer to minimize your chances of being convicted in the first place.
How does sentencing work in Menifee, CA?
In Menifee, CA, sentences for criminal convictions normally fall into one of two situations:
- After a plea deal, the sentence is usually whatever was agreed upon
- After a conviction in a trial, the judge will use legal guidelines to decide on a sentence
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Menifee. 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 can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're up against the Menifee, CA, prosecutor, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Talk to one of our representatives today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense immediately.
We also provide the following legal services in Menifee, CA:
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