Criminal defense lawyers in Pasadena, CA. Nobody in Pasadena, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you're finding yourself needing a Pasadena, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
Why You Need a Pasadena, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're hesitating, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California has a reputation for being very punishing towards convicts, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference the outcome of your case.
What's more, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to accidentally give the state evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.
Calling a Pasadena, CA, criminal defense lawyer early is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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 at all times for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Arrested in Pasadena, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
The arrest process in Pasadena, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Follow these steps during and after an arrest, to strengthen your chances of a good outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, attempting to flee, or fighting the government officials won't do you any good. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Remain Silent: If you are interviewed by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Find a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – the most important thing to do is reach out 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. Being released before a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Document Everything: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should gather whatever data you have related to your defense and send it to your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Pasadena, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a powerful defense.
How Our Pasadena, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we have a client-centered focus, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your future.
We assist you by:
- Absorbing 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.
- Design a powerful defense often consisting of motions to suppress evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should the case reach trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, display the flaws in the state's case, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- 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 get a clean slate once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on getting another chance.
Case Types Our Pasadena, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Pasadena, CA criminal charge, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Our Pasadena, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Pasadena, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. We will fight against any of the following charges in Pasadena:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Pasadena, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Pasadena, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Pasadena, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need the strength of a premier Pasadena, CA, law firm to protect your rights. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Pasadena, CA.
Top Qualities for a Pasadena, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Pasadena, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Working with the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- High Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Transparent Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Pasadena, CA:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. 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.
As soon as you call our Pasadena, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Understand Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either 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.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the State – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt 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 file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Pasadena, 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 can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
W're known for our success amongst 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 Pasadena, CA, court. We're transparent in our pricing, and our phones are available around the clock if you think of anything you need to ask us or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Pasadena, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It can be hard just to move forward, 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 Pasadena, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, somthing could get mixed up, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Pasadena, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the government keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you without a court order.
What are the consequences of a criminal conviction?
Criminal convictions often carry fines and either prison or jail time. On top of that, you can face challenges in employment, housing, professional licensing, and possibly immigration. Because of this, it's critical to work with a criminal defense lawyer to minimize your chances of being convicted in the first place.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Pasadena, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. Prosecutors use them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It
Whatever Pasadena, CA, charges you're facing, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Reach out right away – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense right now.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Pasadena, CA:
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