Criminal defense lawyers in Ventura, CA. Nobody in Ventura, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and this situation requires a experienced Ventura, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is experienced, knowledgeable, and prepared to help. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Ventura, 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 holding back, the state is working on its case. California has historically been very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference for your future freedom.
Even worse, the longer you take to work with , the more chances you have to accidentally give the district attorney evidence against you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Calling a Ventura, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your defense lawyer 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 don't make you wait — we're ready to start working on your case as soon as we pick up the phone.
Arrested in Ventura, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Ventura, CA. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Do the following during the arrest proceedings, to increase your odds of a favorable outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Refusing to go, running, or fighting the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Don't Answer Questions: If you are questioned by the investigators, 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 Ventura, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Ventura, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to act freely prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should organize all findings you have on your defense and provide it to your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with the right Ventura, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a mighty defense.
The Role of a Ventura, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because we listen to you first, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and understand the impact we have on your life.
We assist you by:
- Researching 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 fierce defense through motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should the case reach trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you move on with your life once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
Areas of Expertise for Our Ventura, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
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
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. In Ventura, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Ventura, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Ventura, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. If you're accused in Ventura of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Ecstasy
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Ventura, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
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. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Ventura, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Ventura, CA, law firm to protect your rights. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Ventura, CA.
What To Look For in Your Ventura, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Ventura, 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. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- High Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Ventura, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
As soon as you call our Ventura, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Understand Your Charges – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue 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.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Connect With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, 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 Ventura, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Ventura, 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 from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We're well-known and well-regarded by both former clients and experts. As premier Ventura, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We're upfront with our fees, and you can talk to one of our representatives whenever you need to if you think of anything you need to ask us or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Ventura, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Ventura, 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 – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, people can make mistakes, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Ventura, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Ventura, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
If I'm arrested in Ventura, CA, is that on my record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the government keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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 Ventura, CA?
In Ventura, 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 are the advantages of plea bargaining in Ventura, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Ventura. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to save time, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Future Is at Stake
When you're up against the Ventura, CA, prosecutor, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. Talk to one of our representatives today – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start making a plan to keep you out of prison immediately.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Ventura, CA:
Payment Plans
