Criminal defense lawyers in San Francisco, CA. A San Francisco, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you need a experienced San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
Regardless of the circumstances, 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 our results speak for themselves. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a no obligation consulation.
Reasons to Find a Leading San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're lagging, the the evidence against you is piling up. California has a reputation for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
On a related note, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more likely you are to unintentionally give the district attorney evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be unknowingly making it harder on yourself.
Talking to a San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. 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.
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 constantly prepared for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
San Francisco, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
The arrest process in San Francisco, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Follow these steps during and after an arrest, in order to increase the probability of a favorable outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the government officials won't help your case. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Don't Answer Questions: If you are interrogated by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Speak With an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Being able to act freely prior to a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should organize all evidence you have related to your case and send it to your defense attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a premier San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a strong defense.
What to Expect From a Leading San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because your defense should be centered around you, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your future.
We will fight for you by:
- Researching your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Prepare a strong defense often consisting of motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case reaches a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, display the flaws in the state's case, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you move forward once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
Case Categories Our San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in San Francisco, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In San Francisco, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. If you're accused in San Francisco of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Francisco, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in San Francisco, CA:
Murder Charges
Few charges in San Francisco, CA, are as grave as murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. 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 legal team if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in San Francisco, CA.
What You Want in a San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not every one is going to be prepared to fight your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Positive Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in San Francisco, CA:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. 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 state and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
The minute you call our San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Research Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Connect With the District Attorney – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
Why Choose Our San Francisco, 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 from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. And if your case does end up going before a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We're top-rated 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 San Francisco, CA, court. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can get in touch with us regardless of the time if you need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Francisco, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions San Francisco, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, errors can always happen, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
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 criminal records in San Francisco, CA, include arrests?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice 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?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can place you under arrest without a warrant.
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.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in San Francisco, CA?
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. The state uses them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Future Depends On It
When you're up against the San Francisco, CA, prosecutor, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Talk to one of our representatives today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story right now.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in San Francisco, CA:
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