Criminal defense lawyers in Poway, CA. Nobody in Poway, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and you're searching for a Poway, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is experienced, knowledgeable, and prepared to help. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Poway, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're delaying, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California frequently is very punishing towards convicts, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
On top of that, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to offhandedly give the state evidence they can use against you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally making it harder on yourself.
Talking to a Poway, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available at all times for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
Arrested in Poway, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Nobody in Poway, CA, enjoys getting arrested. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Follow these steps during the arrest proceedings, in order to increase your odds of a beneficial outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are questioned by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Find an Attorney: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- 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 prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should gather whatever facts you have related to your defense and make copies to show your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a leading Poway, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a strong defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Poway, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your life.
We will go about your case by:
- Studying 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.
- Create a mighty defense utilizing motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should your charges go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- 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 provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow labels to control you.
Case Types Our Poway, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Poway, CA criminal charge, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Poway, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Poway, CA. They range from assault to resisting arrest. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Rioting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Poway, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Poway, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Poway, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a strong defense against these charges. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our legal team for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Finding the Right Poway, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Poway, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Hiring the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Poway, CA:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and convincing the jury.
When you call our Poway, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Gather Info About 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, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, 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.
Why Choose Our Poway, 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 type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Our connections in Poway, CA, courts allow us to get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We're top-rated by both former clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can call us any time of day if you think of anything you need to ask us or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Poway, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. Most people feel very stressed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Poway, 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 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 Poway, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
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 detain you without a warrant.
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 Poway, CA?
Plea bargaining is the process where the state's lawyers and defense lawyer come up with a deal for the defendant, wherein the defendant likely pleas guilty for a reduced penalty. District attorneys use them to get through cases faster, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Depends On It
If you're facing criminal charges in Poway, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Don't wait – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case right now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Poway, CA:
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