Criminal defense lawyers in Moreno Valley, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Moreno Valley, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you urgently need a leading Moreno Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Moreno Valley, 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 biding your time, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California is known for being very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
On a related note, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to unconsciously give the state evidence they can use against you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unknowingly setting a trap for yourself.
Speaking with a Moreno Valley, 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 lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 ready 24/7 for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Moreno Valley, CA
Nobody in Moreno Valley, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Take the below steps while in custody, to enhance your chances of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Making a scene, trying to get away, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help you in the long run. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interviewed by the government officials, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Contact a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – be sure one of them is to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Securing your freedom before a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Document Everything: As a first step in building your defense, you should organize all findings you have regarding your defense and provide it to your attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a skilled Moreno Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Moreno Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both build a defense based around your situation and care about the broader implications on your life.
We assist you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Craft a rock-solid defense utilizing motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if the case needs to go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, display the flaws in the state's case, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a fresh start after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Case Types Our Moreno Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Moreno Valley, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Moreno Valley, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
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. In Moreno Valley, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- 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 Moreno Valley, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. If you're accused in Moreno Valley of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Moreno Valley, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Moreno Valley, CA. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a Moreno Valley, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Moreno Valley, CA.
Top Qualities for a Moreno Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Moreno Valley, CA, but there's a wide range of quality. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- High Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
The Steps Our Moreno Valley, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. 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, petrifying the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Moreno Valley, 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:
- Examine Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – 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 will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Moreno Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our lawyers have experience. When you work with us, you're getting a law firm with a combined more than five decades of legal experience. We know the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Our connections in Moreno Valley, CA, courts allow us to get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. 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're well-known and well-regarded by both former clients and experts. As premier Moreno Valley, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We're upfront with our fees, and you can call us any day and any time if you have any questions or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Moreno Valley, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Moreno Valley, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Moreno Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, errors can always happen, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in Moreno Valley, 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.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Moreno Valley, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
If I'm arrested in Moreno Valley, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you without a warrant.
How does sentencing work in Moreno Valley, CA?
In Moreno Valley, 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 set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. Prosecutors use them to save time, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Contact Our Moreno Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
When you're up against the Moreno Valley, CA, prosecutor, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Call now – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom today.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Moreno Valley, CA:
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