Criminal defense lawyers in Merced, CA. Everyone in Merced, 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 know someone else actually did it, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you need a premier Merced, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a no obligation case review.
Why You Need a Leading Merced, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're delaying, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California is known for being very tough on crime, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference the outcome of your case.
Beyond this, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to unintentionally give the police evidence that could be used to convict you. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Contacting a Merced, CA, criminal defense lawyer early can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
Whether it's midday on the weekend or the middle of the night during the week, you need a lawyer who is prepared for your call. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always prepared for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
How to Handle an Arrest in Merced, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in Merced, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take the below steps while going through the arrest process, in order to enhance the likelihood of a beneficial outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Being difficult, trying to get away, or fighting the police won't help your case. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: If you are questioned by the government officials, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Talk to a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be 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. Staying out of jail before a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Gather Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should organize all facts you have related to your case and make copies to show your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a premier Merced, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a powerful defense.
How Our Merced, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
We believe that criminal defense lawyers have an obligation not only to represent you in court, but to get to know your case from your perspective. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and know the difference we can make in your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Build a powerful defense through motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case needs to go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, 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. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move on with your life after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow labels to control you.
Areas of Expertise for Our Merced, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Merced, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Our Merced, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Merced, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Merced, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Merced, CA:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Merced, CA, are as grave as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
What You Want in a Merced, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Merced, 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 critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections With Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Stellar Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
The Steps Our Merced, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Merced, 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:
- Evaluate Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Negotiate With the District Attorney – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Advantages of Working With Our Merced, 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 fight against them with their own playbook.
Our connections in Merced, CA, courts allow us to get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're top-rated by both former clients and legal experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can call us whenever you need to if you learn something new about your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Merced, 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 Merced, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a Merced, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, somthing could get mixed up, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
If I'm arrested in Merced, CA, is that on my record?
Arrests do go on your record, 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 I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. The state uses them to handle cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It
Whatever Merced, CA, charges you're facing, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to defend you.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Talk to an attorney today – 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 building your defense and protecting your rights.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Merced, CA:
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