Criminal defense lawyers in Morgan Hill, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Morgan Hill, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. 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 your child called you from jail, and you have to call a leading Morgan Hill, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Regardless of the circumstances, 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 boast a proven track record of success. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free review of your case.
Reasons to Find a Morgan Hill, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're delaying, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California has a reputation for being very harsh in sentencing, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Additionally, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more possible it is to unittingly give the police evidence they can use against you. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Speaking with a Morgan Hill, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your attorney may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
Arrests can happen any time of day or year, and we're ready to help whenever they happen. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
Morgan Hill, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
The arrest process in Morgan Hill, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Do the following during and after an arrest, in order to strengthe your odds of a good outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Refusing to go, trying to get away, or attacking the police won't help your case. 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 police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Speak With a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the most important thing to do is reach out to your attorney.
- 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. Staying out of jail prior to a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should put together all data you have on the charges and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Morgan Hill, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a mighty defense.
How Our Morgan Hill, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both craft a defense specific to you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We will go about your case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Build a effective defense typically featuring motions to have evidence thrown out, utilizing our wide range of resources, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, display the flaws in the state's case, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Morgan Hill, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Morgan Hill, CA, and are equipped to defend against anything in Morgan Hill, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers specialize in:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. Some of the most common Morgan Hill, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Morgan Hill, CA. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Morgan Hill, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. 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
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Morgan Hill, 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. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Morgan Hill, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a strong defense against these charges. 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.
Reach out to our lawyers with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
Top Qualities for a Morgan Hill, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Morgan Hill, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Positive Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Transparent Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
The Steps Our Morgan Hill, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and convincing the jury.
As soon as you call our Morgan Hill, 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:
- Learn Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Be Your Go-Between With the District Attorney – We'll look for a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Since we've been preparing from day one, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, 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 Morgan Hill, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We've received acclaim from both former clients and experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can speak to one of our team members 24/7 if you need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Morgan Hill, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, 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 Morgan Hill, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Morgan Hill, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Morgan Hill, 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.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the government 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?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Morgan Hill. 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 allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With Our Morgan Hill, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in Morgan Hill, CA, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You deserve top-notch representation. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Call now – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom and protecting your rights.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Morgan Hill, CA:
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