Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Clarita, CA. Everyone in Santa Clarita, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you need to contact a experienced Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, 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. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
Reasons to Find a Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're biding your time, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California is often very harsh in sentencing, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
What's more, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to carelessly give the district attorney evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Calling a Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
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 constantly prepared for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Santa Clarita, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Santa Clarita, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Follow these steps during the arrest and following court procedures, to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Making a scene, running, or harming the government officials won't do you any good. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are interrogated by the government officials, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Find a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Santa Clarita, 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): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Being released before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should organize any data you have related to your case and share it with your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with an expert Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a powerful defense.
How Our Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we start with your story, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and care about the broader implications on your life.
Our attorneys do this 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 mighty defense through motions to have evidence thrown out, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should the case reach trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you clear your record after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Santa Clarita, CA criminal charge, and are equipped to defend against anything in Santa Clarita, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In Santa Clarita, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. 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. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Clarita, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Clarita, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. 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 often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Santa Clarita, CA, is murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means 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.
Contact our legal team for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Santa Clarita, CA.
Top Qualities for a Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Positive Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Transparent Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Santa Clarita, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and convincing the jury.
The minute you call our Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Examine Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll scrutinize the state'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 file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Our Santa Clarita, 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 type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, 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 a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We've received acclaim from both clients and legal experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can get in touch with us at all times if you need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santa Clarita, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Santa Clarita, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, people can make mistakes, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Santa Clarita, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have 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 detain you without a warrant.
Why do people plea bargain in Santa Clarita, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Santa Clarita. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. District attorneys use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Contact Our Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
Whatever Santa Clarita, CA, charges you're facing, you need a strong defense strategy. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Talk to an attorney today – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start making a plan to keep you out of prison right now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Santa Clarita, CA:
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