Criminal defense lawyers in San Marcos, CA. A San Marcos, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. 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 made a decision you now regret. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you're finding yourself needing a leading San Marcos, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a Leading San Marcos, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're holding back, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California is known for being very punishing towards convicts, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Plus, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to unittingly give the police evidence for their case. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unknowingly decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Finding a San Marcos, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away 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 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 available around the clock for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
What to Do After Being Arrested in San Marcos, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in San Marcos, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take this advice during the arrest proceedings, to enhance your chances of a advantageous outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Acting out, attempting to flee, or attacking the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interviewed by the police, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Speak With a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Securing your freedom prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Collect Evidence: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should collect any findings you have on your defense and send it to your defense attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a leading San Marcos, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a mighty defense.
How Our San Marcos, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both craft a defense specific to you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We approach each case 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.
- Craft a fierce defense using motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if there is a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state 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 when applicable. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move forward once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
Case Categories Our San Marcos, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in San Marcos, CA, and are equipped to defend against anything in San Marcos, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers 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. In San Marcos, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in San Marcos, 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 defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Marcos, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in San Marcos, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in San Marcos, 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 an expert San Marcos, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in San Marcos, CA.
Finding the Right San Marcos, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right San Marcos, 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. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- High 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.
- Transparent Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
The Steps Our San Marcos, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
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 start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our San Marcos, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Learn Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Negotiate With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, 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 explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
Why Choose Our San Marcos, 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 strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and legal experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in San Marcos, CA, court. We're upfront with our fees, and you can speak to one of our team members regardless of the time if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Marcos, 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 Marcos, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a San Marcos, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
If I'm arrested in San Marcos, CA, is that on my record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the state keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you 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 is plea bargaining?
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 handle cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Call Our San Marcos, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
When you're facing charges in San Marcos, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. This isn't a time to play games with your freedom. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Get in touch as soon as possible – the San Marcos, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom at once.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in San Marcos, CA:
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