Criminal defense lawyers in San Diego, CA. A San Diego, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. 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 your spouse is being charged, and you're searching for a San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a no obligation case review.
Why You Need a San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're pausing, the state is working on its case. California is often very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Even worse, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more likely you are to offhandedly give the police evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unknowingly setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Reviewing your case with a San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer early is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always ready for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
How to Handle an Arrest in San Diego, CA
Being arrested in San Diego, 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, in order to enhance your chances of a good outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Making a scene, running, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Find a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in San Diego, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Staying out of jail prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Document Everything: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should organize whatever data you have regarding your case and send it to your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with the right San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a mighty defense.
The Role of a San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Create a strong defense using motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if there is a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, present alternative narratives to the state's story, 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 both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you get a fresh start once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
Case Types Our San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in San Diego, CA, and are equipped to defend against anything in San Diego, CA. 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. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. Traffic charges we commonly defend in San Diego, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in San Diego, CA. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in San Diego, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. 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
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Diego, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. 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. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in San Diego, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in San Diego, CA. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a leading San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer on 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.
Get in touch with our lawyers if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in San Diego, CA.
How to Pick a San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in San Diego, CA, but not all law firms are created equal. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good 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.
- Clear Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
How We Fight in the San Diego, 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 believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and convincing the jury.
When you call our San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- 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, without excessive bail.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll challenge the district attorney 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 file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. 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 legal experts. As premier San Diego, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can get in touch with us at all times if need an update on your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Diego, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. Most people feel very stressed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions San Diego, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a San Diego, 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 you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
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 Diego, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
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 even if they don't have a warrant.
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.
Why do people plea bargain in San Diego, 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. The state uses them to get through cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Contact Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in San Diego, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Reach out right away – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense without delay.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in San Diego, CA:
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