Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Maria, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Santa Maria, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe someone asked you for a favor, and you didn't realize it was illegal. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and this situation requires a Santa Maria, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consult with an attorney.
Reasons to Find a Leading Santa Maria, 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 hesitating, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California frequently is very harsh in sentencing, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Even worse, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to offhandedly give the district attorney evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be accidentally setting a trap for yourself.
Contacting a Santa Maria, CA, criminal defense lawyer early 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 attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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 ready 24/7 for your call and don't make you wait — we're ready to start working on your case as soon as we pick up the phone.
Santa Maria, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Santa Maria, CA. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Follow these steps during and after an arrest, to strengthen your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Causing trouble, attempting to flee, or harming the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Remain Silent: When you are interviewed by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Speak With an Attorney: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Santa Maria, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom before a potential trial can be invaluable.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should document all information you have on the charges and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with an expert Santa Maria, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a mighty defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Santa Maria, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
We believe that criminal defense lawyers have an obligation not only to represent you in court, but to get to know your case from your perspective. Because we have a client-centered focus, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and care about the broader implications on your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Studying your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Build a high-level defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court should your charges go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and create 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 at the trial's end. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you carry on once the case is over. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Case Categories Our Santa Maria, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Santa Maria, CA criminal charge, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Santa Maria, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Some of the most common Santa Maria, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Santa Maria, CA. 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. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Maria, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Maria, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Santa Maria, CA that's as significant as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a strong defense against these charges. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Finding the Right Santa Maria, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Santa Maria, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Partnering with the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Good Reputation – they should be known for providing quality and compassionate service.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Clear Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Santa Maria, CA:
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; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Santa Maria, 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:
- Learn Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- 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.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Connect With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
What You Can Expect From Our Santa Maria, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting plea bargains that can protect your freedom. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We've received acclaim from both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We're upfront with our fees, and you can speak to one of our team members around the clock if you have any questions or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santa Maria, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and without a guide, there isn't a map to find your way through the situation. We've put together some of the common questions Santa Maria, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, nobody is perfect, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level Santa Maria, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Yes, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. The state uses them to save time, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Contact Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're up against the Santa Maria, CA, prosecutor, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Get in touch as soon as possible – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start making a plan to keep you out of prison today.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Santa Maria, CA:
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