Our Indio Office is located at:

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

81730 US Highway 111
Indio, CA 92201-5442
(760) 625-0714

Indio Criminal Defense Attorneys

Have You Been Arrested in Indio? Are You Wondering If You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

You might have been arrested for “driving under the influence” (DUI) after the Coachella Music Festival. Perhaps you were accused of shoplifting at Indio Towne Center or maybe you were arrested for car theft or burglary.

No matter what the allegations are against you, the team at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is available to fight for your rights and freedom. Our expert Indio criminal defense attorneys know you have many questions about your legal situation. When you call us for a free consultation, we can give you the answers you need to feel back in control of your life.

Helpful City Resources:

Indio Police Department
STATION INFO
46800 Jackson St.
Indio, California, 92201
(760) 391-4057

Indio Community Center
45-871 Clinton Street
Indio, California, 92201
(760) 347-4263

ABC Recovery Center
44374 Palm St.
Indio, California, 92201
(760) 342-6616

The Superior Court of California – Riverside Court
47671 Oasis St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 393-2617

Three Important Questions About Your Defense

There are three questions that everyone charged with a crime asks:

• Do I need a criminal defense attorney?
• What could an arrest or conviction mean to the rest of my life?
• How can an attorney help me?

Let’s answer those, here and now.

Do I Need an Indio Criminal Defense Attorney?
Yes, you need an attorney who specializes in criminal defense. Ideally, they need years of experience in criminal trials, becoming experts in both criminal law and procedure. Even lawyers who practice in other fields (such as family law) still do not have the relevant expertise that you need.

You also need a criminal defense attorney who has been locally practicing in Indio and the larger Riverside area. You want an attorney who knows the judges and prosecutors—knows their records on handling different charges, what types of legal arguments are the most effective in their courts, and so on.

Beyond that, you should hire an attorney rather than going with a court-appointed public defender.

While public defenders are capable lawyers, the reality is that they juggle too many clients to give your case the attention it deserves. (In nearby Los Angeles County, public defenders now handle as many as 300 misdemeanor clients at once.)

By contrast, when you hire the Law Offices of David Chesley, you have a team of expert criminal defense attorneys and investigators working on your behalf, and Mr. Chesley will be personally involved, supervising your case.

What Could an Arrest or Conviction Mean to the Rest of My Life?

We will review some specific charges below but, again, to quickly answer your immediate question:

Yes, if not handled correctly, an arrest can change your life. An arrest can impact your ability to get a business or student loan in the future. It can make it more difficult to rent an apartment. It may impact your ability to maintain or keep a professional business license and all that is just as true if the prosecutor decides not to formally charge you or after a jury finds you “not guilty.”

Even if you were arrested but never charged, you need a criminal defense lawyer at your side and you absolutely need a lawyer if charges are brought.

Types of Crimes and Related Potential Punishments

Drug Crimes: Although adult use of marijuana and medical marijuana is now legal in California, you can still be charged with other drug-related crimes. For example, you can still be charged for possession of other drugs. Possession is typically a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail but a felony drug charge is still possible, if the case involves possession near a school, with a firearm, a connection to gang activity, or a large enough amount of drugs that it suggested you intended to sell them.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Importantly, California law prohibits DUIs not just of alcohol but any drugs that can compromise your driving ability, including legal prescription medication. That also means that, while personal use of marijuana is now legal, driving under its influence is not. Most first offense DUIs are a misdemeanor. These penalties may include: probation, a fine of up to $1,000.00, requirements to attend a DUI school, a 6-month driver’s license suspension, and, in some areas of California, installation of an ignition interlock device. You may also see increased penalties depending on:

• The amount of your alleged intoxication,
• If this is a repeat offense, or
• If the DUI involved an accident causing injury, death, or property damage.

Theft: Under California law, theft is knowingly taking someone else’s property with the intent to keep it permanently. Theft charges can range from refusing to return a borrowed item to stealing a car, or but it can also include taking someone’s property under false pretenses.

Burglary: Burglary means entering a building, such as a home or business, with the intent of stealing or committing another felony. Under California law, home burglary is a first-degree felony, and it carries a sentence of up to six years in state prison. Second-degree burglary—that takes place in businesses or other buildings—can be either a misdemeanor or felony.

Robbery: While robbery is a type of property crime, because it involves person-to-person contact and force, California law considers a robbery to be closer to a violent crime than that of theft. First-degree robbery is a felony with up to a $10,000 fine or six years in prison, second-degree robbery has a maximum prison term of five years.

Assault: Assault is an unlawful attempt to injure someone—whether or not they were actually injured. Simple assault is a misdemeanor crime, and it is can be punishable by either a fine of up to $1,000 or up to six months in prison. For aggravated assault, the charge usually involves: using a weapon, targeting a particularly vulnerable person or someone in law enforcement or public service, or an assault resulting in grave injury. Aggravated assault can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, with a possible prison sentence of up to four years.

Vandalism: Vandalism is maliciously damaging, destroying, or defacing someone else’s property. For actions that resulted in less than $400 in damages, the charge is a misdemeanor, and you could see punishments such as jail, probation, or a fine of up to $1,000. You may also receive other penalties such as suspension of your driver’s license. Felony vandalism convictions can result in up to $10,000 in fines, restitution, probation, and up to 10 years in prison.

How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help Me?

An expert criminal defense lawyer can:

• Investigate the facts and law to prepare your best defense.
• Negotiate with the prosecutor to see if a plea bargain is possible
• Prepare a defense at trial
• Represent you in related proceedings, such as a petition for a hearing to keep your driver’s license prior to a DUI trial
• Represent you at pre-trial hearings and trial
• Represent you in post-conviction proceedings, such as expungements

David Chesley is Indio’s Best Criminal Defense Attorney

With ratings of “Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell and “Superb” by Avvo, Mr. Chesley is considered one of the nation’s best trial lawyers, with specialties in criminal defense and DUI defense. He has an Avvo “Five Star” Clients Choice Award and an “A+” rating by the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

Mr. Chesley and his team have favorable outcomes in an astonishing 90% of their court cases.

If you’ve been arrested in Indio, contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley today at 760-625-0714. We are available to help you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.