Criminal defense lawyers in Palmdale, CA. Nobody in Palmdale, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you have to call a leading Palmdale, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. 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 at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Palmdale, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're pausing, the state is working on its case. California has a reputation for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Plus, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to carelessly give the prosecution evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. 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 making it harder on yourself.
Reaching out to a Palmdale, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
Whether it's midday on the weekend or the middle of the night during the week, you need a lawyer who is prepared for your call. 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.
Arrested in Palmdale, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Palmdale, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Follow these steps during and after an arrest, in order to improve the likelihood of a positive outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Acting out, running, or attacking the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are interviewed by the police, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – before anyone else, make sure to place a call 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 give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect whatever facts you have regarding the charges and send it to your lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a premier Palmdale, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a potent defense.
The Role of a Palmdale, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because all our cases are focused on our client, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Studying your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Design a powerful defense often consisting of motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should the case reach trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, dissect the state's case against you, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state 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 the trial's end. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you clear your record once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
Palmdale, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are equipped to defend against anything in Palmdale, CA. 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. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Our Palmdale, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Palmdale, CA. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Resisting Arrest
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Palmdale, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. If you're accused in Palmdale of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Palmdale, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Palmdale, CA, are as grave as murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our legal team to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Palmdale, CA.
Finding the Right Palmdale, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Palmdale, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- High Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Palmdale, CA:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Palmdale, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Evaluate Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the State – We'll look for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll dissect the state's argument at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, 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 Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Palmdale, 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 use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. That said, if there is a trial in your case, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We've received acclaim from both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Palmdale, CA, court. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can talk to one of our representatives any time of day if you have any questions or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Palmdale, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It can be hard just to move forward, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Palmdale, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Palmdale, 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, nobody is perfect, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
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 Palmdale, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – 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?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What are diversionary programs?
Diversionary programs, such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court, are alternatives to the traditional court and sentencing process. They normally allow for treatment to be given to people who are accused of a crime, rather than being sent to prison.
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. Prosecutors use them to get through cases faster, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in Palmdale, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Start working on your case today – 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 crafting your case now.
We also provide the following legal services in Palmdale, CA:
Payment Plans
