Criminal defense lawyers in Tracy, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Tracy, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you need a experienced Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're holding back, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California can be very punishing towards convicts, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference the outcome of your case.
What's more, the longer you take to work with , the more chances you have to inadvertently 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 unintentionally digging a deep hole for yourself.
Reviewing your case with a Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyer early can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your 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 constantly prepared for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
How to Handle an Arrest in Tracy, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Tracy, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take this advice during the arrest proceedings, to improve the likelihood of a advantageous outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Making a scene, running, or attacking the law enforcement officers won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interviewed by the government officials, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Tracy, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being released before a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should document all evidence you have on your case and provide it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with the right Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a powerful defense.
How Our Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We assist you by:
- Studying your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Create a strong defense using motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if the case needs to go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, dissect the state's case against you, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you clear your record after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Tracy, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In Tracy, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. They range from assault to resisting arrest. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Resisting Arrest
- Drive-By Shooting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Tracy, 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
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Tracy, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Tracy, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our attorneys if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Tracy, CA.
Finding the Right Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Tracy, CA, but there's a wide range of quality. 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 – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- 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.
- Clear Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
The Steps Our Tracy, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Research Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Negotiate With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and explain your side of the story 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 take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Tracy, 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 the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Tracy, CA, court. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can call us whenever you need to if you learn something new about your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Tracy, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. It can be hard just to move forward, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Tracy, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, nobody is perfect, 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 Tracy, 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.
If I'm arrested in Tracy, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – 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.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can detain you without 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 Tracy, CA?
In Tracy, 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
How does plea bargaining work in California?
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 save time, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Call Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Tracy, CA, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. 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 making a plan to keep you out of prison as soon as possible.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Tracy, CA:
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