Criminal defense lawyers in Santee, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Santee, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. 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 best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you're looking for a leading Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
Whatever the case is, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is experienced, knowledgeable, and prepared to help. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Talk to a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free review of your case.
Reasons to Find a Leading Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're hesitating, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California frequently is very punishing towards convicts, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference for your future freedom.
On a related note, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to offhandedly give the state evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unknowingly decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Talking to a Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your lawyer 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 will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Santee, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in Santee, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Follow these steps during the arrest and following court procedures, to strengthe your odds of a beneficial outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Being difficult, running, or fighting the government officials won't do you any good. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the police, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Talk to a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – be sure one of them is to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): you might be released without being charged, but if you are, you will probably be given an option to post bail. Staying out of jail before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Document Everything: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should document whatever evidence you have on your case and share it with your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a skilled Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a strong defense.
How Our Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 take the time to get to know you, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and understand the impact we have on your life.
Our team will support you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Prepare a powerful defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and demonstrate 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 both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a fresh start once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
Case Categories Our Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Santee, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Santee, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In Santee, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License 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. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santee, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santee, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Santee, CA, is murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Santee, CA.
How to Pick a Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Santee, CA, but some stand out from the rest. 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 – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections With Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
The Steps Our Santee, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. 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, petrifying the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
The minute you call our Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Understand Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Advantages of Working With Our Santee, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We're highly regarded by 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 talk to one of our representatives regardless of the time if you have any questions or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santee, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Santee, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
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.
How long does a conviction stay on my record in California?
In California, the 'Clean Slate Act' allows for some convictions to automatically be sealed. For most felonies, this occurs after four years, and for most misdemeanors, this occurs after one.
Do criminal records in Santee, CA, include arrests?
Yes, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
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 detain you even if they don't have a warrant.
Why do people plea bargain in Santee, 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. The state uses them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Call Our Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
When you're up against the Santee, CA, prosecutor, you need a strong defense strategy. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. 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. 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 crafting your case right away.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Santee, CA:
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