Criminal defense lawyers in San Bruno, CA. A San Bruno, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you urgently need a premier San Bruno, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a Leading San Bruno, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're biding your time, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California frequently is very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
What's more, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to accidentally give the district attorney evidence for their case. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be inadvertently setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Speaking with a San Bruno, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. 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.
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 ready 24/7 for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
Arrested in San Bruno, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Nobody in San Bruno, CA, enjoys getting arrested. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take the below steps while going through the arrest process, to increase your odds of a advantageous outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Refusing to go, attempting to flee, or harming the police won't help your case. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interviewed by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Talk to a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in San Bruno, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being released prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should put together whatever evidence you have regarding your case and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with a premier San Bruno, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a strong defense.
The Role of a San Bruno, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both craft a defense specific to you and understand the impact we have on your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Absorbing 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.
- Design a powerful defense making use of motions to have evidence thrown out, working with expert witnesses, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, dissect the state's case against you, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- 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 let your record become a stain on your reputation.
Case Categories Our San Bruno, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
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 practice defenses for:
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. Our San Bruno, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in San Bruno, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in San Bruno, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Bruno, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in San Bruno, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in San Bruno, CA, is murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a San Bruno, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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.
Reach out to our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
Top Qualities for a San Bruno, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in San Bruno, CA, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Connections Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
The Steps Our San Bruno, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and satisfying the jury.
The minute you call our San Bruno, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Learn Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – 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.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, without excessive bail.
- Be Your Go-Between With the State – We'll look for a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Our San Bruno, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our lawyers have experience. When you work with us, you're getting a law firm with a combined more than five decades of legal experience. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We've received acclaim from both clients and experts. As premier San Bruno, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can call us any time of day if you need an update on your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Bruno, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. 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 San Bruno, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a San Bruno, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, nobody is perfect, 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 San Bruno, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in San Bruno, CA?
There are options to seal your records for many misdemeanors and even several felonies. In California, this process is called sealing a record, but is sometimes referred to as expungement. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with this process.
If I'm arrested in San Bruno, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest without a court order.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
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 handle cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Call Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in San Bruno, CA, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Start working on your case today – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story the minute we get in touch.
We also provide the following legal services in San Bruno, CA:
Payment Plans
