Criminal defense lawyers in Porterville, CA. A Porterville, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you need a Porterville, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, 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 know how to win in a variety of case types. Talk to a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consultation on your case.
Why You Need a Porterville, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're hesitating, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California frequently is very punishing towards convicts, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference for your future freedom.
Beyond this, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more likely you are to unconsciously give the police evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. 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.
Working with a Porterville, CA, criminal defense lawyer early might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your defense lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 ready at all times for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
How to Handle an Arrest in Porterville, CA
The arrest process in Porterville, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Follow these steps while going through the arrest process, to enhance the likelihood of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, trying to get away, or fighting the police won't improve your situation. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are questioned by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Contact a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – 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. Being able to act freely before a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Gather Evidence: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should collect whatever information you have regarding your defense and send it to your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a leading Porterville, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Porterville, 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 all our cases are focused on our client, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Design a powerful defense through motions to have evidence thrown out, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move forward after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
Case Types Our Porterville, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Porterville, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In Porterville, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Porterville, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. If you're accused in Porterville of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Porterville, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Porterville, CA:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Porterville, CA, is murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need an expert Porterville, 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.
Contact our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Top Qualities for a Porterville, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Porterville, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Connections Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Stellar 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.
The Steps Our Porterville, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Porterville, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Understand Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight 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.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Negotiate With the District Attorney – We have experience with crafting 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 deconstruct the case against you at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Advantages of Working With Our Porterville, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and 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 speak to one of our team members any time of day if you think of anything you need to ask us or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Porterville, 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 Porterville, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, nobody is perfect, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Porterville, 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?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you without a court order.
How does sentencing work in Porterville, CA?
In Porterville, CA, sentences for criminal convictions normally fall into one of two situations:
- After a plea deal, the sentence is usually whatever was agreed upon
- After a conviction in a trial, the judge will use legal guidelines to decide on a sentence
Why do people plea bargain in Porterville, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Porterville. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to save time, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Contact Our Porterville, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
If you're facing criminal charges in Porterville, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Speak with one of our lawyers now – 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 building your case right away.
We also provide the following legal services in Porterville, CA:
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