Criminal defense lawyers in South San Francisco, CA. A South San Francisco, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you urgently need a experienced South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, 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 know how to win in a variety of case types. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consultation on your case.
Why You Need a Leading South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're pausing, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California is often very harsh in sentencing, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Beyond this, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to offhandedly give the police evidence against you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally making your case harder to fight.
Connecting with a South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your defense lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 available around the clock for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in South San Francisco, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in South San Francisco, CA. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Take this advice while going through the arrest process, in order to enhance your chances of a good outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Making a scene, trying to escape, or fighting the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: If you are questioned by the authorities, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Call a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some 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. Staying out of jail prior to a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should collect any evidence you have regarding your defense and provide it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a leading South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a staunch defense.
The Role of a South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
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 nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals 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.
- Craft a fierce defense using motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, display the flaws in the state's case, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. 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 get a clean slate once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in South San Francisco, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In South San Francisco, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in South San Francisco, CA. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in South San Francisco, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opiods
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
South San Francisco, 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. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in South San Francisco, CA, is murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a leading South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
What You Want in a South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in South San Francisco, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Positive Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Open and Honest Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
How We Fight in the South San Francisco, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Understand Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if possible, we'll find a way to have the charges dismissed, and make it almost as though you were never accused.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Connect With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our South San Francisco, 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 from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Our connections in South San Francisco, CA, courts allow us to get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and legal experts. As premier South San Francisco, 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 speak to one of our team members around the clock if you have any questions or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in South San Francisco, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. 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 South San Francisco, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a South San Francisco, 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, nobody is perfect, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
If I'm convicted of a crime in South San Francisco, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in South San Francisco, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the government keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
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 Francisco, CA?
In South San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in South San Francisco. 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 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 Is at Stake
When you're up against the South San Francisco, CA, prosecutor, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
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 telling your side of the story now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in South San Francisco, CA:
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