Criminal defense lawyers in Port Hueneme, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Port Hueneme, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you're finding yourself needing a leading Port Hueneme, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Whatever the case is, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
Reasons to Find a Leading Port Hueneme, 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 delaying, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California is often very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Plus, the longer you take to work with , the more likely you are to inadvertently give the prosecution evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Talking to a Port Hueneme, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your attorney 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 always ready for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Arrested in Port Hueneme, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Nobody in Port Hueneme, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Follow these steps during the arrest and following court procedures, in order to maximize your chances of a positive outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Being difficult, trying to get away, or attacking the police won't help your case. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are questioned by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Call a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Port Hueneme, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Staying out of jail before a trial can be invaluable.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should organize any evidence you have related to your case and send it to your lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a leading Port Hueneme, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a strong defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Port Hueneme, 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 we take the time to get to know you, we both build a defense based around your situation and care about the broader implications on your life.
Our team will support you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Craft a fierce defense through motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you move forward after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow labels to control you.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Port Hueneme, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Port Hueneme, CA, and are equipped to defend against anything in Port Hueneme, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In Port Hueneme, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. 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 Port Hueneme, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. 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:
Theft Charges
Port Hueneme, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. 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 Port Hueneme, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Port Hueneme, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning 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.
Reach out to our lawyers if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Port Hueneme, CA.
What You Want in a Port Hueneme, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Port Hueneme, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Picking the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- High Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Transparent Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Port Hueneme, CA:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
The minute you call our Port Hueneme, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Learn Your Charges – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Negotiate With the State – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Since we've been preparing from day one, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
Why Choose Our Port Hueneme, 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 strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We've received acclaim from both clients and experts. As premier Port Hueneme, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can call us at all times if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Port Hueneme, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. It can be hard just to move forward, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Port Hueneme, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
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, 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 Port Hueneme, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you even if they don't have 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 prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It
For any criminal charges in Port Hueneme, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to defend you.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Don't wait – 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 defending your freedom as soon as possible.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Port Hueneme, CA:
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