Criminal defense lawyers in Riverside, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Riverside, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe one of your friends broke the law, and you've just gotten wrapped up in it, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you're in need of a Riverside, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Whatever the case is, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation on your case.
Reasons to Find a Riverside, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're pausing, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California can be very punishing towards convicts, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
On top of that, the longer you spend on your own, the more you risk doing something to inadvertently give the prosecuting attorney evidence for their case. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unknowingly decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Reaching out to a Riverside, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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 around the clock for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
How to Handle an Arrest in Riverside, CA
The arrest process in Riverside, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take this advice during the arrest and following court procedures, in order to increase your odds of a beneficial outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Causing trouble, trying to escape, or harming the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are questioned by the government officials, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Talk to a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – 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 trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should organize any evidence you have regarding your defense and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with a skilled Riverside, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a strong defense.
How Our Riverside, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 build a defense based around your situation and care about the broader implications on your life.
We approach each case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Design a high-level defense using motions to have evidence thrown out, utilizing our wide range of resources, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court should your charges go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Riverside, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. In Riverside, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Riverside, CA. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Resisting Arrest
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Riverside, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. We will fight against any of the following charges in Riverside:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Riverside, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Riverside, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need an expert Riverside, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- 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 Riverside, CA.
How to Pick a Riverside, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Riverside, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Picking the proper criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- High Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Transparent Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the Riverside, 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 know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Riverside, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Evaluate Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either 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, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for 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 tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, 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 Advantages of Working With Our Riverside, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We're highly regarded by both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Riverside, CA, court. We're upfront with our fees, and you can talk to one of our representatives 24/7 if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Riverside, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. 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 Riverside, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, errors can always happen, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
What is the hardest criminal charge to beat?
Each case is unique, so there isn't a hard and fast rule on "which charge is the hardest to beat." Generally speaking, though, white collar crimes, crimes against children, and repeat DUI accusations are treated harshly.
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 with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can detain you without a court order.
How does California's Three Strikes law work?
California's Three Strikes law is a system in which certain serious criminal convictions assign a "strike" to a person's records. If that person is convicted of another crime in the future, they can face an increased prison sentence.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Riverside. 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 allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It
For any criminal charges in Riverside, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to defend you.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Don't wait – 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 crafting your case now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Riverside, CA:
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