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      (213) 341-4427
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      (909) 748-5272
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      (619) 752-2235
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      (510) 403-8809
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      (805) 248-7408
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      (559) 365-7055
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      (530) 427-4167

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    Recent Results

    • Multiple defendants each facing 7 years charged with smuggling prescription drugs into California from Mexico our client was the only defendant who received NO JAIL TIME!

    • Client facing 5 years for possession of deadly weapon we negotiated a plea for NO JAIL TIME!

    • Client facing 3 life terms for multiple felony counts of Child Molestation and Sodomy with child we proved the charges were fabricated by victims mother DISMISSAL of all charges at preliminary hearing!

    • Strike case: Client charged with possession of methamphetamine facing 25 years we filed a Romero Motion which was granted case REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR!

    • Client’s estranged girlfriend alleged Client broke into her room and choked her facing 14 years in State Prison we won at trial JURY ACQUITTAL.

    • Police allegedly discovered 3 bags of marijuana in client’s glove box faced 6 years we filed a 1538.5 motion to suppress resulting in DISMISSAL of all charges!

    • Client allegedly sold rock cocaine to undercover officer faced 10 years following our argument client received NO JAIL TIME!

    • Client facing 15 years for Armed Robbery we proved misidentification Judge DISMISSED the case!

    El Cajon

    Our El Cajon Office is located at:

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

    124 West Main Street
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 312-6035

    El Cajon Criminal Defense Lawyers

    El Cajon translates to “the box” in Spanish. This city was named after Rancho El Cajón due to the box-like configuration of the valley that surrounds it. El Cajon was founded on November 12, 1912, and is known for its role in grape, citrus, and tomato agriculture. With a 2010 population of 99,478, 30 percent of El Cajon’s population are immigrants from Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Turkey, and other countries. As such, El Cajon is often called a “mini-United Nations.” Many Major League Baseball players, as well as other famous athletes, call this city their hometown.

    Helpful city resources:

    El Cajon Police Department
    100 Civic Center Way
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 579-3311

    El Cajon City Hall
    200 Civic Center Way,
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 441-1726

    El Cajon Library
    201 E Douglas Ave
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 588-3718

    Attractions Around El Cajon, CA

    Water Conservation Garden
    12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. W.
    El Cajon, CA 92019
    (619) 660-0614

    Heritage of the Americas Museum
    12110 Cuyamaca College Dr. W.
    El Cajon, CA 92019
    (619) 670-5194

    Air Group One CAF
    1921 North Marshall Ave.
    Hangar #13
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 259-5541

    Sky Combat Ace
    2015 N Marshall Ave.
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (888) 494-5850

    Parkway Plaza
    415 Parkway Plaza
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 579-9932

    Olaf Wieghorst Museum
    131 Rea Ave.
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 590-3431

    Crime in El Cajon

    Most arrests made in El Cajon are for theft or various types of assault. Crime is the highest in central El Cajon, with these areas of particular concern:

    • E. Main St./E. Madison Ave.
    • N. Mollison Ave/E. Bradley Ave.
    • N. Mollison Ave/Broadway Ave.
    • S. Mollison Ave./E. Lexington
    • Bostonia

    To find out more, the City of El Cajon also provides crime mapping services and crime alerts.

    Local Criminal Courts:

    Central Courthouse
    1100 Union Street
    San Diego, CA 92101
    Get Directions

    Hall of Justice
    330 West Broadway
    San Diego, CA 92101
    (858) 634-1919

    East County
    250 East Main Street
    El Cajon, CA 92020
    (619) 456-4100

    North County
    325 South Melrose Dr.
    Vista, CA 92081
    (760) 201-8600

    South County
    500 3rd Avenue
    Chula Vista, CA 91910
    (619) 746-6200

    The reputable El Cajon criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are no strangers to these courthouses. We’ve successfully helped many clients fight the charges against them in these courtrooms. We combine our skill and knowledge of California law and our familiarity with the prosecutors and judges to help our clients achieve the best outcome possible.

    Possible Defenses to Criminal Charges in California
    Whether you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor, you need a strong defense. There are many available defenses, and your attorney will work with you to decide on the best strategy once they’ve examined your case from all angles. These are two of the most commonly used defenses available that might apply to nearly any criminal charge.

    Lack of Evidence
    It’s critical that your El Cajon criminal defense lawyer hold the state to its burden of proof. Prosecutors will frequently try to focus a trial on the defendant’s character. However, it’s never the defendant that has the burden of proving what happened. Rather, the prosecutor has to show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. If they can’t do this, there should be an acquittal.

    Even still, the lack of evidence defense demands more from a lawyer than passively betting on the jury not seeing sufficient evidence to merit a conviction. Instead, an El Cajon criminal defense lawyer must take active measures to defeat the prosecutor’s theory. They don’t need to provide an alternative theory or suspect. No matter what testimony the defendant provides, the evidence made available by the state has to be enough for conviction. Since prosecutors have this burden of proof in every case, this is a common defense that can be used on any case.

    Constitutional Violations
    The way that crimes are investigated varies based on what the specific allegations are and the circumstances. Some are initiated through a traffic stop, such as a DUI. Others, like drug crimes, typically involve searching a home, car, or alleged suspect. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution places stringent limitations on how law enforcement officers may perform searches and seizures.

    Two legal standards apply to the measures that law enforcement officers take. They need to have a reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime to stop your vehicle and investigate further. If they want to perform a search or arrest you without a warrant, they are held to an even higher standard known as probable cause. Suppose the officers can’t establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause. In that case, the court might rule that those searches, seizures, or stops are illegal and violated your constitutional rights.

    This is critical in criminal defense cases since the prosecutor may not use any evidence collected illegally due to an unlawful search or seizure. If your El Cajon criminal defense attorney finds that the police performed an illegal search in your case, they can file a motion with a court to reject all of the evidence found in the unlawful search. Without this evidence, the chances of a criminal conviction decrease significantly.

    Are You Facing Criminal Charges? Call an Experienced El Cajon Criminal Defense Attorney Today
    To ensure our defense fits your needs, one of our esteemed El Cajon criminal lawyers will take time to understand your circumstances thoroughly. We will examine all areas of your case to build a robust defense that matches your testimony.

    With so much at stake, you can’t afford to overlook the opportunity to hire an experienced El Cajon criminal defense attorney to build a strong defense on your behalf. If you or someone you love has been arrested for an alleged crime in the El Cajon area, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley can defend your legal rights and seek a positive resolution to the troubles you are facing. Call our El Cajon offices at (619) 312-6035 today to schedule your case review.