Criminal defense lawyers in San Francisco, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a San Francisco, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you've been falsely accused, 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 need a premier San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
For any criminal charges in San Francisco, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a no obligation case review.
Reasons to Find a Leading San Francisco, 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 hesitating, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California is often very tough on crime, and waiting to work with a lawyer 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 you risk doing something to unintentionally give the police evidence against you. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be inadvertently decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Reaching out 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 fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
Arrested in San Francisco, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in San Francisco, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Here's what to do during the arrest proceedings, in order to improve the likelihood of a advantageous outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, trying to escape, or harming the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: When you are questioned 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 San Francisco, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – before anyone else, make sure to place a call 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 give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should put together all facts you have related to your defense and send it to your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with the right San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a potent defense.
How Our San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because we have a client-centered focus, we both craft a defense specific to you and care about the broader implications on your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Design a strong defense using motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if the case needs to go to trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their 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 fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you move on with your life once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in San Francisco, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Some of the most common San Francisco, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in San Francisco, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
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. We will fight against any of the following charges in San Francisco:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Francisco, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
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 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. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in San Francisco, CA.
How to Pick a San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in San Francisco, CA, but not every firm is equipped for the job. 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 – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections With Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Positive 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
The Steps Our San Francisco, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Evaluate Your Charges – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if possible, we'll find a way to have the charges dismissed, and make it almost as though you were never accused.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, without excessive bail.
- Negotiate With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of 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, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Advantages of Working With Our San Francisco, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get 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, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're highly regarded by both former clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We make it easy to understand the costs, and our phones are available any day and any time if you need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Francisco, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions San Francisco, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Yes, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
Can the police arrest me without 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 without a warrant.
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.
Why do people plea bargain in San Francisco, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in San Francisco. 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 use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Depends On It
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Talk to an attorney today – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighting an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case right away.
We also can help in the following legal areas in San Francisco, CA:
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