Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Barbara, CA. Everyone in Santa Barbara, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you have to find a Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend 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 top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a no obligation case review.
Reasons to Find a Santa Barbara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're waiting, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has historically been very punishing towards convicts, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
What's more, the longer you take to work with , the more possible it is to carelessly give the state evidence that hurts you. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be accidentally digging a deep hole for yourself.
Hiring a Santa Barbara, 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 get the charges dropped or dismissed.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. 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.
Arrested in Santa Barbara, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Being arrested in Santa Barbara, CA, is a very stressful event. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take this advice while going through the arrest process, to enhance your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are questioned by the police, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Find a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- 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. Being able to go about your life 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 whatever information you have regarding your case and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with an expert Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Santa Barbara, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because your defense should be centered around you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
Our team will support you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Design a high-level defense through motions to have evidence thrown out, consulting subject matter experts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court should the case reach trial. We protect you from a biased jury, dissect the state's case against you, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you get a clean slate 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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Santa Barbara, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Santa Barbara, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Santa Barbara, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In Santa Barbara, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- 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 are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Barbara, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. 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
- Methamphetamine
- Opiods
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Barbara, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Santa Barbara, CA, are as grave as murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need an expert Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
Finding the Right Santa Barbara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but not every one is going to be prepared to fight your case. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- High Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Transparent Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Santa Barbara, CA:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. 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, petrifying the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Investigate Your Charges – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, 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 – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Santa Barbara, 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 fight against them with their own playbook.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We're highly regarded by both clients and legal experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. Our rates are affordable, and you can call us around the clock if you think of anything you need to ask us or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santa Barbara, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Santa Barbara, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, nobody is perfect, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Santa Barbara, 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.
Do criminal records in Santa Barbara, CA, include arrests?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest without a court order.
Why do people plea bargain in Santa Barbara, 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. Prosecutors use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Call Our Firm – Your Future Is at Stake
For any criminal charges in Santa Barbara, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Talk to an attorney today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case now.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Santa Barbara, CA:
Payment Plans
