Criminal defense lawyers in North Hollywood, CA. A North Hollywood, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you're finding yourself needing a leading North Hollywood, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
The Importance of Working With a North Hollywood, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're lagging, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California frequently is very punishing towards convicts, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Beyond this, the longer you take to work with , the more possible it is to inadvertently give the district attorney evidence that could be used to convict you. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be inadvertently setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Calling a North Hollywood, CA, criminal defense lawyer early might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your defense lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 available around the clock for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in North Hollywood, CA
Being arrested in North Hollywood, CA, is a very stressful event. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take the below steps during the arrest and following court procedures, to enhance your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Causing trouble, trying to get away, or attacking the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Don't Answer Questions: If you are interviewed 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 – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one 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 trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should put together whatever information you have on the charges and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a skilled North Hollywood, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
The Role of a North Hollywood, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We assist 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.
- Build a fierce defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case needs to go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, 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'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you move on with your life once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.
Areas of Expertise for Our North Hollywood, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in North Hollywood, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in North Hollywood, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. In North Hollywood, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- 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. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in North Hollywood, 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. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
North Hollywood, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in North Hollywood, CA. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a leading North Hollywood, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
What You Want in a North Hollywood, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in North Hollywood, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Picking the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in North Hollywood, CA:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
The minute you call our North Hollywood, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Learn Your Charges – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and present a convincing defense 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.
The Advantages of Working With Our North Hollywood, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure 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're top-rated by both clients and legal experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. Our rates are affordable, and our phones are available any time of day if need an update on your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in North Hollywood, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions North Hollywood, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a North Hollywood, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
If I'm convicted of a crime in North Hollywood, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in North Hollywood, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
If I'm arrested in North Hollywood, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, 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.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
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 without a court order.
How does California's Three Strikes law work?
California's Three Strikes law is a system in which certain serious criminal convictions assign a "strike" to a person's records. If that person is convicted of another crime in the future, they can face an increased prison sentence.
How does sentencing work in North Hollywood, CA?
In North Hollywood, 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 the process by which your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney negotiate to find a lighter sentence for the person charged with a crime, in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to get through cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Future Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in North Hollywood, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Get in touch as soon as possible – 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 making a plan to keep you out of prison right now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in North Hollywood, CA:
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