Criminal defense lawyers in South San Francisco, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a South San Francisco, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe the accusations are false, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you need to contact a South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consult with an attorney.
Reasons to Find a South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're delaying, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California has a reputation for being very punishing towards convicts, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference the outcome of your case.
On top of that, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to carelessly give the prosecuting attorney evidence they can use against you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.
Reaching out to a South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
When you're accused of a crime, it doesn't matter what time it is. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always prepared for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
South San Francisco, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Arrests are high-tension situations in South San Francisco, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Follow these steps while going through the arrest process, in order to enhance the likelihood of a beneficial outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Causing trouble, attempting to flee, or fighting the government officials won't help your case. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Don't Answer Questions: 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 – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- 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. Being able to go about your life prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Document Everything: As a first step in building your defense, you should organize whatever findings you have related to the charges and make copies to show your criminal defense lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a leading South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a staunch defense.
What to Expect From a Leading South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we start with your story, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and care about the broader implications on your future.
Our team will support you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Build a powerful defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, hiring expert analysts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if there is a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you clear your record 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.
Areas of Expertise for Our South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any South San Francisco, CA criminal charge, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In South San Francisco, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- 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 South San Francisco, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. 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
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
South San Francisco, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. 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 particularly heinous ones to be accused of. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in South San Francisco, CA:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in South San Francisco, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- 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.
How to Pick a South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Partnering with the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Connections With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Transparent Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in South San Francisco, CA:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and persuading the jury.
When you call our South San Francisco, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Gather Info About Your Charges – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether 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.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Look for Deals With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Since we've been preparing from day one, we'll battle against the state at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
What You Can Expect From Our South San Francisco, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
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. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We're well-known and well-regarded by both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can call us any day and any time if you have any questions or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in South San Francisco, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, 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 South San Francisco, CA, residents ask about 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 – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, somthing could get mixed up, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
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 criminal records in South San Francisco, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
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 place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in South San Francisco, 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. Prosecutors use them to handle cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Future Depends On It
For any criminal charges in South San Francisco, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. Our firm's criminal defense lawyers are prepared to give you expert defensive representation.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. 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 building your defense at once.
We also provide the following legal services in South San Francisco, CA:
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