Criminal defense lawyers in Salinas, CA. Nobody in Salinas, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe someone asked you for a favor, and you didn't realize it was illegal. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you're looking for a leading Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
For any criminal charges in Salinas, 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 boast a proven track record of success. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
The Importance of Working With a Salinas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're waiting, the the evidence against you is piling up. California frequently is very harsh in sentencing, 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 a related note, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to unintentionally give the prosecution evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unintentionally digging a deep hole for yourself.
Hiring a Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. 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.
Salinas, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Being arrested in Salinas, CA, is a very stressful event. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Do the following while going through the arrest process, to enhance your odds of a favorable outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Acting out, trying to get away, or harming the police won't improve your situation. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Remain Silent: If you are interrogated by the police, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Salinas, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be 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 able to go about your life before a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should collect any information you have on the charges and provide it to your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a skilled Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a staunch defense.
How Our Salinas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 have a client-centered focus, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and understand the impact we have on your life.
Our attorneys do this by:
- Absorbing 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 effective defense making use of motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case needs to go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, display the flaws in the state's case, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move on with your life after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.
Case Categories Our Salinas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Salinas, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Salinas, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Salinas, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Salinas, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Salinas, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Salinas, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a leading Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Salinas, CA.
Finding the Right Salinas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections With Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Stellar Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Clear Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
How We Fight in the Salinas, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the District Attorney – We'll look for a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and explain your side of the story 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.
What You Can Expect From Our Salinas, 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 connections in Salinas, CA, courts allow us to get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and 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 our phones are available at any time if need an update on your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Salinas, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Salinas, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, errors can always happen, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in Salinas, CA?
The circumstances around your DUI will have a major impact on its outcome. If it's your first DUI and you work with the right attorney, there's a good chance you can avoid jail time. However, repeat DUIs are often treated much more harshly and can be felonies.
Do criminal records in Salinas, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the state keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have 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 place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Salinas, CA?
Plea bargaining is the process by which your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney negotiate to find a lighter sentence for the person charged with a crime, in exchange for a guilty plea. District attorneys use them to handle cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Call now – 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 making a plan to keep you out of prison right now.
We also provide the following legal services in Salinas, CA:
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