Criminal defense lawyers in South San Diego, CA. Everyone in South San Diego, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you're in need of a South San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Whatever the case is, 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 boast a proven track record of success. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
Why You Need a South San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're biding your time, the the evidence against you is piling up. California is known for being very harsh in sentencing, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference for your future freedom.
Plus, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more likely you are to accidentally give the police evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be inadvertently making your case harder to fight.
Reaching out to a South San Diego, 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 attorney 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 always prepared for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in South San Diego, CA
Being arrested in South San Diego, CA, is a very stressful event. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take this advice during the arrest and following court procedures, to increase the probability of a beneficial outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Refusing to go, running, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help your case. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interrogated by the authorities, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Call a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in South San Diego, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to act freely before a potential trial can be invaluable.
- Document Everything: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect any findings you have regarding the charges and make copies to show your attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a leading South San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a powerful defense.
The Role of a South San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because of our individual-tailored approach, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We will go about your case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Design a powerful defense by filing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you carry on after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Case Categories Our South San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in South San Diego, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Our South San Diego, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI 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. 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 South San Diego, 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 accused in South San Diego of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
South San Diego, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person 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
It's hard to thing of a charge in South San Diego, CA that's as significant as murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. 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
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
How to Pick a South San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in South San Diego, CA, but not all law firms are created equal. Working with the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Positive Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
How We Fight in the South San Diego, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. 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 state and satisfying the jury.
The minute you call our South San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Research Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, without excessive bail.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the District Attorney – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll battle against the state at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
What You Can Expect From Our South San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our South San Diego, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our connections in South San Diego, CA, courts allow us to get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have a strong reputation with 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 call us whenever you need to if need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in South San Diego, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. 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 South San Diego, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a South San Diego, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, people can make mistakes, 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 South San Diego, CA, criminal defense attorney.
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 arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the authorities 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?
When an officer has probably cause, they can arrest you even if they don't have a warrant.
How does California's Three Strikes law work?
California's Three Strikes law is a system in which certain serious criminal convictions assign a "strike" to a person's records. If that person is convicted of another crime in the future, they can face an increased prison sentence.
How does sentencing work in South San Diego, CA?
In South San Diego, CA, sentences for criminal convictions normally fall into one of two situations:
- After a plea deal, the sentence is usually whatever was agreed upon
- After a conviction in a trial, the judge will use legal guidelines to decide on a sentence
Why do people plea bargain in South San Diego, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to handle cases faster, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Call Our South San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in South San Diego, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Speak with one of our lawyers now – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense without delay.
We also provide the following legal services in South San Diego, CA:
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