Criminal defense lawyers in Walnut Creek, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Walnut Creek, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe one of your friends broke the law, and you've just gotten wrapped up in it, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you're finding yourself needing a Walnut Creek, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
Whatever you need help facing, 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 know how to win in a variety of case types. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
The Importance of Working With a Walnut Creek, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're holding back, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California has a reputation for being very punishing towards convicts, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
On a related note, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more likely you are to unittingly give the prosecution evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unintentionally making your case harder to fight.
Hiring a Walnut Creek, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going 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.
When you're accused of a crime, it doesn't matter what time it is. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available at all times 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.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Walnut Creek, CA
The arrest process in Walnut Creek, CA, is never fun, but it can go smoothly. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Do the following while in custody, to enhance the likelihood of a good outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Making a scene, trying to escape, or fighting the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: If you are interviewed by the government officials, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Talk to an Attorney: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Being able to act freely before a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Gather Evidence: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect whatever evidence you have on your defense and make copies to show your defense attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Walnut Creek, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Walnut Creek, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 your defense should be centered around you, we both craft a defense specific to you and know the difference we can make in your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Craft a powerful defense often consisting of motions to suppress evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should the case reach trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. 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 forward once the case is over. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
Walnut Creek, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Walnut Creek, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. In Walnut Creek, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Walnut Creek, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Walnut Creek, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. 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. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Walnut Creek, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Walnut Creek, CA.
What You Want in a Walnut Creek, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Walnut Creek, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- High Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- 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.
- Transparent Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
How We Fight in the Walnut Creek, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and persuading the jury.
When you call our Walnut Creek, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Study Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the State – We'll look for a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
What You Can Expect From Our Walnut Creek, 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 the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
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. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can talk to one of our representatives at all times if you need an update on your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Walnut Creek, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. Most people feel very stressed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Walnut Creek, 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 law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
If I'm arrested in Walnut Creek, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the state keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can place you under arrest even if they don't have a warrant.
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.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Walnut Creek, 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. Prosecutors use them to handle cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Freedom Depends On It
If you're facing criminal charges in Walnut Creek, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Reach out right away – 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 building your case now.
We also provide the following legal services in Walnut Creek, CA:
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