Criminal defense lawyers in Oxnard, CA. Everyone in Oxnard, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you're searching for a Oxnard, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
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 leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a no obligation consulation.
The Importance of Working With a Oxnard, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're hesitating, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California is known for being very harsh in sentencing, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference for your future freedom.
What's more, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to inadvertently give the prosecution evidence that could be used to convict you. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be inadvertently setting a trap for yourself.
Talking to a Oxnard, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your attorney 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 available around the clock for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
How to Handle an Arrest in Oxnard, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Oxnard, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Do the following while going through the arrest process, to improve the likelihood of a advantageous outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Causing trouble, trying to escape, or harming the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: When you are interrogated by the investigators, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Contact a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Oxnard, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Oxnard, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Staying out of jail before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should put together all evidence you have regarding your defense and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with an expert Oxnard, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Oxnard, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because we start with your story, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and understand the impact we have 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.
- Prepare a rock-solid defense utilizing motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should your charges go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, display the flaws in the state's case, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for 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 become a stain on your reputation.
Case Types Our Oxnard, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In Oxnard, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Oxnard, CA. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Domestic Violence
- Drive-By Shooting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Oxnard, 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 facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Oxnard, 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. 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. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Oxnard, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need an expert Oxnard, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
Finding the Right Oxnard, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Oxnard, 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 – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships 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.
- Good Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Oxnard, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, petrifying the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Oxnard, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Investigate Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Look for Deals With the District Attorney – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, 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 Oxnard, 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 from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. 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're well-known and well-regarded by both clients and legal 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 talk to one of our representatives around the clock if need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Oxnard, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. Most people feel very stressed, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Oxnard, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Oxnard, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level Oxnard, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the state 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 a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. The state uses them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Reach out right away – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighting an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom as soon as possible.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Oxnard, CA:
Payment Plans
