Criminal defense lawyers in Thousand Oaks, CA. A Thousand Oaks, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, 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 need to contact a experienced Thousand Oaks, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
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 leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Thousand Oaks, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're hesitating, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California has a reputation for being very punishing towards convicts, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Additionally, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to offhandedly give the prosecuting attorney evidence against you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unintentionally making it harder on yourself.
Speaking with a Thousand Oaks, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your defense lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
Arrests can happen any time of day or year, and we're ready to help whenever they happen. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
Thousand Oaks, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Thousand Oaks, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take the below steps while going through the arrest process, to enhance your chances of a good outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Acting out, attempting to flee, or attacking the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interviewed by the government officials, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Call a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Thousand Oaks, 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 give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should collect whatever findings you have on your defense and provide it to your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Thousand Oaks, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a potent defense.
The Role of a Thousand Oaks, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we listen to you first, we both craft a defense specific to you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
Our team will support you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Prepare a mighty defense typically featuring motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, working with expert witnesses, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if there is a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you get a clean slate once the case is over. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Areas of Expertise for Our Thousand Oaks, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Thousand Oaks, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense lawyers specialize in:
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. In Thousand Oaks, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Thousand Oaks, CA. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Thousand Oaks, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Thousand Oaks, 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. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Thousand Oaks, CA, is 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. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Thousand Oaks, CA.
How to Pick a Thousand Oaks, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Thousand Oaks, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Working with the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Good Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- 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 – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
How We Fight in the Thousand Oaks, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; 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 Thousand Oaks, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Research Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Look for Deals With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Thousand Oaks, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
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. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have a strong reputation with both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We're upfront with our fees, and our phones are available at all times if you need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Thousand Oaks, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. 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 Thousand Oaks, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
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, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
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 Thousand Oaks, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Thousand Oaks, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
Do criminal records in Thousand Oaks, CA, include arrests?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can arrest you without a warrant.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Thousand Oaks. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to save time, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in Thousand Oaks, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You deserve top-notch representation. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Start working on your case today – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom right now.
We also provide the following legal services in Thousand Oaks, CA:
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