Criminal defense lawyers in Reseda, CA. Everyone in Reseda, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you need to contact a Reseda, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
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 have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.
Reasons to Find a Leading Reseda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're pausing, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California can be very punishing towards convicts, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Beyond this, the longer you take to work with , the more chances you have to unittingly give the prosecuting 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 accidentally making your case harder to fight.
Reaching out to a Reseda, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
Arrests can happen any time of day or year, and we're ready to help whenever they happen. 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.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Reseda, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in Reseda, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Follow these steps during the arrest proceedings, in order to increase the probability of a favorable outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Making a scene, 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.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the authorities, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Talk to a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Reseda, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom before a trial can be invaluable.
- Collect Evidence: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should document all evidence you have on your defense and send it to your lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with an expert Reseda, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Reseda, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we listen to you first, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and know the difference we can make in your life.
Our attorneys do this by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Craft a effective defense by filing motions to have evidence thrown out, consulting subject matter experts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case reaches a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, 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 once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Reseda, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Reseda, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Reseda, CA, criminal defense case. 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. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Reseda, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Reseda, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Reseda, 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. 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. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Reseda, CA that's as significant as murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a Reseda, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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 if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Reseda, CA.
What To Look For in Your Reseda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Reseda, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Good Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
How We Fight in the Reseda, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, petrifying the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Reseda, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Evaluate Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we'll fight to have your case dropped before it grows into a major problem for you.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Be Your Go-Between With the State – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that protects your interests.
- 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 explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, 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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Reseda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Reseda, 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 relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. But if your case does reach a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. Our rates are affordable, and you can call us 24/7 if you have any questions or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Reseda, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. Most people feel very stressed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Reseda, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, errors can always happen, 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 Reseda, CA, criminal defense attorney.
If I'm arrested in Reseda, CA, is that on my record?
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.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
When an officer has probably cause, they can detain you without a court order.
If you've already been convicted, what are your options?
California's appeals process is available if there were any errors or mistakes in your court case. A skilled attorney will always explore every available appeals avenue and explain what options you have to keep fighting your conviction.
How does sentencing work in Reseda, CA?
In Reseda, 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 Reseda, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to save time, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Call Our Reseda, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Reseda, CA, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You deserve top-notch representation. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Talk to an attorney today – 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 telling your side of the story at once.
We also provide the following legal services in Reseda, CA:
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