Our Banning Office is located at:

Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Banning Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

783 West Ramsey Street
Banning, CA 92220-4902
(951) 846-6104

Banning Criminal Defense Attorneys

Have You Been Arrested for a Crime? An Experienced Banning Criminal Lawyer Can Give You Clarity About Your Options

Whether you had one too many drinks and got pulled over cruising down Sunset Avenue, got arrested selling drugs near the Gilman Ranch, or found yourself in the middle of a heated exchange that turned violent, you could be looking at jail time, financial hardship, and an uncertain future.

As soon as you’re arrested, it is very important that you retain an experienced Banning criminal defense attorney. Look for a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the local legal system and who will do everything in their power to get your life back on track.

Helpful City Resources:

Banning Police Department
STATION INFO
125 E. Ramsey Street
Banning, CA 92220
(951) 922-3170

City of Banning Community Services
789 North Gorgonio Ave
Banning, CA 92220
(951) 922-3243

California Highlands Addiction Treatment
15986 S. Highland Spring Avenue
Banning, CA 92220
(855) 922-3401

Crime in Banning: An Overview

While much of Banning is relatively safe, certain areas, such as east of San Gorgonio Avenue and south of I-10, see significant criminal activity.

The most common crimes reported in Banning include theft, burglary, vehicle theft, and assault. DUI charges are also common. Although murder and rape occur infrequently, Banning’s violent crime rates are higher than average for California. Whatever crime you stand accused of committing—whether it’s something as minor as vandalism or as major as a sex crime—your arrest can have lasting effects on your finances, relationships, job prospects, and personal freedom.

Property Crime: Property crime is the most common reason people get arrested in Banning. The term covers a wide range of criminal and misdemeanor activity from vandalism to auto theft to burglary.

Theft: According to California law, “every person who shall feloniously steal, take, carry, lead, or drive away from the personal property of another, is guilty of theft.” The severity of theft charges varies according to the value of the goods stolen. If the goods taken are valued at less than $950, the law considers the act to be petty theft, a misdemeanor. However, if you take something valued at more than $950, prosecutors can elevate your charge to grand theft. Auto theft, a common occurrence in Banning, is always considered grand theft.

Burglary and Robbery: Two more serious types of theft are burglary and robbery. Burglary is defined as the act of entering a building or other structure with the intent to commit a theft or other felony. The first-degree burglary carries a sentence of up to 10 years. Robbery is defined as taking the personal property of another person from their presence using force, violence, or intimidation. If robbery is committed using a deadly weapon, the penalties are significantly increased. In Banning, burglary is committed at a higher rate than in California as a whole, while robbery is less common.

Assault and Battery: Assault is defined as an attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on another person. Note that this only refers to an act where an attempt was made. Battery, by contrast, refers to an act where violence is actually carried out. Assault and battery charges are increased significantly if the crime is committed with a deadly weapon (known as “aggravated assault.”)

DUI: In the state of California, DUI (driving under the influence) laws apply to anyone operating a motor vehicle under the following circumstances:

• With a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or greater, driving a passenger vehicle
• With a BAC of 0.04 or greater, driving a commercial vehicle
• With a BAC of 0.01 or greater if you are under 21 years old

DUI laws also apply to people driving under the influence of illegal drugs or excessive amounts of legal drugs.

Superior Court of California – County of Riverside
311 E. Ramsey St.
Banning, CA 92220
(951) 777-3147

What an Experienced Banning Criminal Defense Attorney Can Do

Whatever charge you find yourself facing, though, the situation is serious. Without an experienced lawyer on your side, you may have little chance of beating the charges. Seasoned lawyers understand the court system and will employ the smartest possible strategies in your defense.

Working with your criminal defense attorney, you will decide on a strategy for your case. Common defenses include:

• Mistaken Identity or False Accusation: You prove that someone else resembling you committed the crime or that you were accused of doing something that you didn’t do.
• Extenuating Circumstances: You prove that, while you may have carried out the offense, you did so by accident or under duress or immediate danger.
• Police misconduct or entrapment: You prove that the police behaved illegally or maliciously in their treatment of you. This can result in the charges against you being thrown out.
• Plea bargain: If the evidence suggests that you will not be able to beat all your charges, then you can meet with your lawyer and the prosecutor and plead guilty to a lesser charge. This is often a desirable compromise, and it prevents you from having to go to court.

Why Choose The Law Offices of David S. Chesley

When you’re arrested, it is important that you hire an attorney immediately. Not just any attorney will do, though. You need one who will fight tirelessly for you, who has decades of experience, and who knows the Banning court system intimately.

David S. Chesley and his team have over 50 years of experience fighting for people like you. The firm’s team is made up of former judges, senior district attorneys, and police, and they know every aspect of the criminal justice system. They defend against all types of felony and misdemeanor charges and have won an Avvo’s Clients’ Choice Award every year for the last decade.

We are conveniently located at 783 West Ramsey Street. Call us today at (951) 846-6104 for a free consultation and evaluation. We are available for you 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.