Criminal defense lawyers in Van Nuys, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Van Nuys, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you're finding yourself needing a experienced Van Nuys, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
Whatever the case is, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is equipped to help you fight the charges. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Talk to a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're lagging, the state is working on its case. California is often very punishing towards convicts, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Beyond this, the longer you take to work with , the more possible it is to carelessly give the prosecution evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be inadvertently making your case harder to fight.
Speaking with a Van Nuys, CA, criminal defense lawyer early might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense attorney may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 24/7 for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
How to Handle an Arrest in Van Nuys, CA
Being arrested in Van Nuys, CA, is a very stressful event. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Do the following during the arrest proceedings, to increase your odds of a advantageous outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Causing trouble, running, or attacking the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are questioned by the police, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Talk to an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Van Nuys, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – be sure one of them is to your lawyer.
- 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. Securing your freedom prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should put together any data you have on the charges and make copies to show your attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with an expert Van Nuys, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a mighty defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 have a client-centered focus, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
Our attorneys do this by:
- Researching your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Prepare a fierce defense by filing motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on getting another chance.
Areas of Expertise for Our Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Our Van Nuys, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Hate Crimes
- Brandishing a Weapon
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Van Nuys, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. 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
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Van Nuys, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Van Nuys, CA, are as grave as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Van Nuys, CA, law firm to protect your rights. 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Van Nuys, CA.
Finding the Right Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Van Nuys, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Partnering with the right 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 – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- High Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Open and Honest Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Van Nuys, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and gaining the confidence of the jury.
When you call our Van Nuys, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Examine Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight 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.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, without excessive bail.
- Be Your Go-Between With the State – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state 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 Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our lawyers have experience. When you work with us, you're getting a law firm with a combined more than five decades of legal experience. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting plea bargains that can protect your freedom. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're top-rated by both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We don't surprise you with fees, and our phones are available around the clock if you learn something new about your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Van Nuys, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. Most people feel very stressed, 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 Van Nuys, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Van Nuys, 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 you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Yes, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
When an officer has probably cause, they can arrest you without a warrant.
Why do people plea bargain in Van Nuys, CA?
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. District attorneys use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Van Nuys, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Reach out right away – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense at once.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Van Nuys, CA:
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