Criminal defense lawyers in Redwood City, CA. Everyone in Redwood City, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you're searching for a premier Redwood City, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
For any criminal charges in Redwood City, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is equipped to help you fight the charges. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free review of your case.
Reasons to Find a Leading Redwood City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're holding back, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has a reputation for being very tough on crime, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
On a related note, the longer you spend on your own, the more danger you are in to unconsciously give the district attorney evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be inadvertently decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Reviewing your case with a Redwood City, CA, criminal defense lawyer early can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your 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 always available for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
Arrested in Redwood City, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Arrests are high-tension situations in Redwood City, CA. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Here's what to do during and after an arrest, in order to enhance the likelihood of a good outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Making a scene, running, or fighting the police won't improve your situation. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interviewed by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Talk to 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): 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 trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should put together all data you have regarding your case and send it to your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a premier Redwood City, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Redwood City, 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 nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both build a defense based around your situation and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We give our clients superb representation 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.
- Prepare a high-level defense typically featuring motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should your charges go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Areas of Expertise for Our Redwood City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Redwood City, CA criminal charge, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Redwood City, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Redwood City, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Redwood City, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Redwood City, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Redwood City, CA, are as grave as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our legal team to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Redwood City, CA.
What To Look For in Your Redwood City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Redwood City, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Positive Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
How We Fight in the Redwood City, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Redwood City, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if possible, we'll find a way to have the charges dismissed, and make it almost as though you were never accused.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Since we've been preparing from day one, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Redwood City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Redwood City, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our connections in Redwood City, CA, courts allow us to get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. And if your case does end up going before a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We're top-rated by both former clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Redwood City, CA, court. We're upfront with our fees, and you can call us whenever you need to if need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Redwood City, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. 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 Redwood City, CA, residents have regarding 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, somthing could get mixed up, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
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 Redwood City, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the state 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 a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you without a warrant.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Redwood City, 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. Prosecutors use them to get through cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Depends On It
For any criminal charges in Redwood City, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Start working on your case today – the Redwood City, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense at once.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Redwood City, CA:
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