Criminal defense lawyers in Van Nuys, CA. Everyone in Van Nuys, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you have to find a premier Van Nuys, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consult with an attorney.
Reasons to Find a Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're pausing, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is known for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Additionally, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more likely you are to unittingly give the prosecution evidence they can use against you. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be unknowingly setting a trap for yourself.
Connecting with a Van Nuys, 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 fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your defense attorney 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 will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
How to Handle an Arrest in Van Nuys, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in Van Nuys, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take this advice during the arrest proceedings, to enhance your odds of a good outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Being difficult, trying to get away, or harming the law enforcement officers won't do you any good. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interrogated by the investigators, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Find an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – before anyone else, make sure to place a call 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. Securing your freedom prior to a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should gather any data you have related to your defense and make copies to show your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a leading Van Nuys, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a potent defense.
The Role of a Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and know the difference we can make in your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Create a fierce defense typically featuring motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should your charges go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, dissect the state's case against you, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Case Categories Our Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Van Nuys, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Our Van Nuys, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Van Nuys, CA. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Van Nuys, 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. 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
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Van Nuys, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
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. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Van Nuys, CA that's as significant as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a Van Nuys, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
How to Pick a Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Van Nuys, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Good Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Transparent Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the Van Nuys, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and persuading the jury.
The minute you call our Van Nuys, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Research Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, without excessive bail.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the District Attorney – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
Why Choose Our Van Nuys, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
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. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We have a strong reputation with 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 Van Nuys, CA, court. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and you can speak to one of our team members any time of day if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Van Nuys, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. It can be hard just to move forward, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Van Nuys, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
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.
Do criminal records in Van Nuys, CA, include arrests?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the state keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
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.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Van Nuys, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Call Our Van Nuys, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Van Nuys, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. Speak with one of our lawyers now – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case without delay.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Van Nuys, CA:
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