Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Monica, CA. Everyone in Santa Monica, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and this situation requires a leading Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
Regardless of the circumstances, 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 know how to win in a variety of case types. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consultation on your case.
Reasons to Find a Santa Monica, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're delaying, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California is often very harsh in sentencing, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference the outcome of your case.
Even worse, the longer you take to work with , the more chances you have to unittingly give the state evidence that hurts you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be inadvertently making it harder on yourself.
Contacting a Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense 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 ready at all times for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
How to Handle an Arrest in Santa Monica, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Santa Monica, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Here's what to do during and after an arrest, to maximize your chances of a positive outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Being difficult, trying to escape, or harming the government officials won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interrogated by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Contact an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Santa Monica, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Santa Monica, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Staying out of jail prior to a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should put together whatever facts you have on your case and send it to your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with an expert Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Santa Monica, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 take the time to get to know you, we both craft a defense specific to you and understand the impact we have 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.
- Prepare a fierce defense through motions to have evidence thrown out, consulting subject matter experts, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if there is a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- 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 let your record follow you into the future.
Case Categories Our Santa Monica, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Santa Monica, CA, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Our Santa Monica, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing 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 Monica, CA. They range from assault to resisting arrest. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
- Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Drive-By Shooting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Monica, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. If you're accused in Santa Monica of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Monica, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Santa Monica, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Santa Monica, CA. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Santa Monica, CA, law firm to protect your rights. 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 lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Santa Monica, CA.
What To Look For in Your Santa Monica, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Santa Monica, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Stellar Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Clear Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Santa Monica, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and convincing the jury.
As soon as you call our Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Study Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – We'll look for 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 present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, 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 Monica, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
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. And if your case does end up going before a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and experts. As premier Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can call us at any time if you need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santa Monica, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, 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 Monica, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
What is the hardest criminal charge to beat?
Each case is unique, so there isn't a hard and fast rule on "which charge is the hardest to beat." Generally speaking, though, white collar crimes, crimes against children, and repeat DUI accusations are treated harshly.
Do convictions ever expire from my criminal record in California?
Technically no. Barring special circumstances, after a conviction, the government will always keep it on your record. However, after a certain time period, they can seal the record, lessening the negative impact.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the state keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
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 court order.
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 save time, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Future Depends On It
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Santa Monica, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to defend you.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. 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 defending your freedom right away.
We also provide the following legal services in Santa Monica, CA:
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