Criminal defense lawyers in Orange, CA. A Orange, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you need to contact a Orange, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Orange, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're biding your time, the the evidence against you is piling up. California can be very tough on crime, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Plus, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more chances you have to unittingly give the state evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally making your case harder to fight.
Reaching out to a Orange, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always prepared 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.
How to Handle an Arrest in Orange, CA
The arrest process in Orange, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take the below steps during and after an arrest, to maximize your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Refusing to go, attempting to flee, or attacking the police won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the government officials, 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 first one of these should be 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.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should collect all findings you have regarding the charges and provide it to your lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a leading Orange, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Orange, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
We believe that criminal defense lawyers have an obligation not only to represent you in court, but to get to know your case from your perspective. Because we listen to you first, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and care about the broader implications on your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Studying your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Build a powerful defense often consisting of motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case needs to go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move forward once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Case Categories Our Orange, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. 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 Orange, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- 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 tend to have high penalties in Orange, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. They range from assault to resisting arrest. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Orange, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. If you're accused in Orange of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Orange, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Orange, CA that's as significant as murder. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Orange, CA, law firm to protect your rights. 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.
Contact our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
What You Want in a Orange, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Orange, CA, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Picking 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 – 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 – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Stellar Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Clear Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
How We Fight in the Orange, CA, Court System 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 start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and convincing the jury.
When you call our Orange, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Research Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we'll fight to have your case dropped before it grows into a major problem for you.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, 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, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
Why Choose Our Orange, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Orange, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. We know from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Our connections in Orange, CA, courts allow us to get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We have an esteemed reputation with both former clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can talk to one of our representatives any time of day if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Orange, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. There's a lot you're trying to find out, 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 Orange, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a Orange, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Do criminal records in Orange, CA, include arrests?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can place you under arrest without a warrant.
What is plea bargaining?
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 often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Get in Touch With Our Orange, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Whatever Orange, CA, charges you're facing, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. This isn't a time to play games with your freedom. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Get in touch as soon as possible – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom right now.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Orange, CA:
Payment Plans
