Criminal defense lawyers in Ontario, CA. Nobody in Ontario, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a 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 choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you need to contact a Ontario, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Ontario, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're holding back, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California can be very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference the outcome of your case.
On top of that, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more you risk doing something to unittingly give the district attorney evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unknowingly making it harder on yourself.
Talking to a Ontario, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your attorney may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 available around the clock for your call and don't make you wait — we're ready to start working on your case as soon as we pick up the phone.
Ontario, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Being arrested in Ontario, CA, is a very stressful event. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Follow these steps during the arrest proceedings, in order to enhance your odds of a positive outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Refusing to go, running, or fighting the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interviewed by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Find 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 lawyer.
- 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. Being able to go about your life prior to a trial can be invaluable.
- Document Everything: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should collect whatever facts you have regarding the charges and provide it to your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with the right Ontario, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Ontario, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 start with your story, 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:
- Studying your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Prepare a mighty defense using motions to have evidence thrown out, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, dissect the state's case against you, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced 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 get a clean slate once the case is over. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Areas of Expertise for Our Ontario, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Ontario, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Ontario, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In Ontario, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Ontario, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. If you're accused in Ontario of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Ontario, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
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. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Ontario, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Ontario, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need an expert Ontario, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. 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.
Reach out to our attorneys if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Ontario, CA.
Finding the Right Ontario, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Ontario, CA, but not all law firms are created equal. Working with the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Stellar Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- 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 Ontario, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. 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, petrifying the prosecution and convincing the jury.
As soon as you call our Ontario, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Research Your Charges – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – We'll look 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 scrutinize the state's case at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Ontario, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We have a strong reputation with both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can call us at all times if you learn something new about your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Ontario, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Ontario, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, errors can always happen, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Ontario, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
Do criminal records in Ontario, CA, include arrests?
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 warrant.
If you've already been convicted, what are your options?
California's appeals process is available if there were any errors or mistakes in your court case. A skilled attorney will always explore every available appeals avenue and explain what options you have to keep fighting your conviction.
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 are the advantages of plea bargaining in Ontario, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. The state uses them to get through cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Contact Our Ontario, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Is at Stake
When you're up against the Ontario, 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. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Contact us 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 telling your side of the story immediately.
We also provide the following legal services in Ontario, CA:
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