Criminal defense lawyers in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. A Rancho Cucamonga, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe one of your friends broke the law, and you've just gotten wrapped up in it, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you need to contact a experienced Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top 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 Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're lagging, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is often very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Plus, the longer you spend on your own, the more danger you are in to inadvertently give the district attorney evidence they can use against you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unknowingly setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Working with a Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your defense 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 available around the clock for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Nobody in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, enjoys getting arrested. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Here's what to do during the arrest and following court procedures, to maximize your chances of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: 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.
- Remain Silent: If you are interrogated by the government officials, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Contact a Lawyer: 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 lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): you might be released without being charged, but if you are, you will probably be given an option to post bail. Being released before a potential trial can be invaluable.
- Document Everything: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should collect all data you have related to the charges and share it with your attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a strong defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because we start with your story, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and understand the impact we have on your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Researching your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Craft a high-level defense making use of motions to have evidence thrown out, working with expert witnesses, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case needs to go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, dissect the state's case against you, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney 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 when applicable. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you get a fresh start after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Some of the most common Rancho Cucamonga, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Rancho Cucamonga, 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 will fight against any of the following charges in Rancho Cucamonga:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
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. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Rancho Cucamonga, CA that's as significant as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need an expert Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
What To Look For in Your Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but some stand out from the rest. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- 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 – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
How We Fight in the Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, scaring the state and satisfying the jury.
As soon as you call our Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Examine Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, without excessive bail.
- Communicate With the District Attorney – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll break down the prosecution's argument 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 take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
What You Can Expect From Our Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. We know the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Our connections in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, courts allow us to get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We have a strong reputation with both clients and legal experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can get in touch with us any time of day if need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, 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 Rancho Cucamonga, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Rancho Cucamonga, 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, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
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 Rancho Cucamonga, CA, criminal defense attorney.
How long does a conviction stay on my record in California?
In California, the 'Clean Slate Act' allows for some convictions to automatically be sealed. For most felonies, this occurs after four years, and for most misdemeanors, this occurs after one.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can arrest you without a court order.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
What is plea bargaining?
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. The state uses them to save time, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
When you're up against the Rancho Cucamonga, CA, prosecutor, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. 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 telling your side of the story at once.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Rancho Cucamonga, CA:
Payment Plans
