Criminal defense lawyers in Monterey Park, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Monterey Park, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe one of your friends broke the law, and you've just gotten wrapped up in it, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you need to contact a premier Monterey Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Whatever the case is, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is equipped to help you fight the charges. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Monterey Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're lagging, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California can be very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference the outcome of your case.
Beyond this, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to unittingly give the prosecution evidence that hurts you. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Working with a Monterey Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away 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 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 can offer legal advice right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Monterey Park, CA
Nobody in Monterey Park, 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 during and after an arrest, in order to strengthe your odds of a good outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Causing trouble, running, or harming the police won't do you any good. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interviewed by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Find a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Monterey Park, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Monterey Park, 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.
- Collect Evidence: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should collect whatever findings you have regarding your case and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with a leading Monterey Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Monterey Park, 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 we have a client-centered focus, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your future.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Absorbing 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.
- Build a effective defense using motions to have evidence thrown out, utilizing our wide range of resources, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you get a clean slate 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.
Case Types Our Monterey Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys will stand by your side 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. Our Monterey Park, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Monterey Park, CA. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Domestic Violence
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Monterey Park, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Monterey Park, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. 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. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Monterey Park, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Monterey Park, CA, is murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Monterey Park, CA.
How to Pick a Monterey Park, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Monterey Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not every one is going to be prepared to fight your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. 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.
- Relationships With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- High Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Transparent Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
The Steps Our Monterey Park, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Monterey Park, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Investigate Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- 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.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Connect With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, 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.
Why Choose Our Monterey Park, 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 counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We've received acclaim from both 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 talk to one of our representatives any day and any time if you have any questions or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Monterey Park, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It can be hard just to move forward, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Monterey Park, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a Monterey Park, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, errors can always happen, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level Monterey Park, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Monterey Park, 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 Monterey Park, CA, is that on my record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest without a court order.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our Monterey Park, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
Whatever Monterey Park, CA, charges you're facing, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Talk to one of our representatives today – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Monterey Park, CA:
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