Criminal defense lawyers in Vallejo, CA. A Vallejo, 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 you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you're looking for a experienced Vallejo, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
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 leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Speak with one of our representatives at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a no obligation case review.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Vallejo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're holding back, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California frequently is very harsh in sentencing, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
On top of that, the longer you spend on your own, the more you risk doing something to carelessly give the police evidence that hurts you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unknowingly setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Reaching out to a Vallejo, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your attorney may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available around the clock for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
Vallejo, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Arrests are high-tension situations in Vallejo, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take this advice during the arrest proceedings, in order to increase the probability of a good outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, attempting to flee, or harming the law enforcement officers won't help your case. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are questioned by the authorities, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Speak With a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Vallejo, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Vallejo, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom before a trial can be invaluable.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should collect all information you have regarding your defense and send it to your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with the right Vallejo, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a potent defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Vallejo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because we listen to you first, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and care about the broader implications on your life.
We will fight for 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.
- Prepare a high-level defense through motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, display the flaws in the state's case, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Vallejo, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Vallejo, CA criminal charge, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Vallejo, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. 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 Vallejo, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Vallejo, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. We will fight against any of the following charges in Vallejo:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Vallejo, 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. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
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. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Vallejo, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Vallejo, CA, is murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a strong defense against these charges. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
How to Pick a Vallejo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Vallejo, CA, but there's a wide range of quality. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Positive Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- 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 – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
How We Fight in the Vallejo, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
As soon as you call our Vallejo, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Investigate Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Look for Deals With the District Attorney – We have experience with crafting a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Advantages of Working With Our Vallejo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Vallejo, 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 the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure 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 will be ready.
We're top-rated by both former clients and legal experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Vallejo, CA, court. Our rates are affordable, and you can get in touch with us regardless of the time if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Vallejo, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Vallejo, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Vallejo, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, somthing could get mixed up, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the government keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest without a court order.
What are the consequences of a criminal conviction?
Criminal convictions often carry fines and either prison or jail time. On top of that, you can face challenges in employment, housing, professional licensing, and possibly immigration. Because of this, it's critical to work with a criminal defense lawyer to minimize your chances of being convicted in the first place.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is the process by which your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney negotiate to find a lighter sentence for the person charged with a crime, in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to handle cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Depends On It
When you're up against the Vallejo, CA, prosecutor, you need a strong defense strategy. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Talk to one of our representatives today – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom now.
We also provide the following legal services in Vallejo, CA:
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