Criminal defense lawyers in Upland, CA. Everyone in Upland, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you're searching for a experienced Upland, 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 help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
Why You Need a Upland, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're hesitating, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California has historically been very harsh in sentencing, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference for your future freedom.
On a related note, the longer you spend on your own, the more danger you are in to carelessly give the state evidence against you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unintentionally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Talking to a Upland, CA, criminal defense lawyer early might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your attorney may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
Whether it's midday on the weekend or the middle of the night during the week, you need a lawyer who is prepared for your call. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available around the clock for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
Upland, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Upland, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Follow these steps while going through the arrest process, in order to increase the probability of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, trying to escape, or fighting the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interrogated by the investigators, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Call an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): you might be released without being charged, but if you are, you will probably be given an option to post bail. Being able to act freely prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should put together any data you have regarding your case and provide it to your lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a skilled Upland, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a staunch defense.
How Our Upland, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because we start with your story, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We approach each case by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Create a strong defense using motions to suppress evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if there is a trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you move on with your life after a court case. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.
Case Categories Our Upland, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In Upland, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Upland, CA. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Upland, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. 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
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Upland, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. 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. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Upland, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Upland, CA, is murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a Upland, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. 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.
Contact our legal team for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Top Qualities for a Upland, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Upland, CA, but not all law firms are created equal. 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 – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
The Steps Our Upland, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and convincing the jury.
As soon as you call our Upland, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Gather Info About Your Charges – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Connect With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Advantages of Working With Our Upland, 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 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, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We have an esteemed reputation with both former clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Upland, CA, court. We don't surprise you with fees, and our phones are available at any time if you have any questions or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Upland, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. 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 Upland, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Upland, 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, nobody is perfect, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Upland, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Upland, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest 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 arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
How does sentencing work in Upland, CA?
In Upland, 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
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. Prosecutors use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Upland, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Talk to one of our representatives 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 building your defense today.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Upland, CA:
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