Our San Luis Obispo Office is located at:

Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
San Luis Obispo Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

1540 Marsh Street, Suite 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 250-7500

San Luis Obispo Criminal Defense Attorney

San Luis Obispo is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County. It has a complex history that spans all the major periods of California’s development. Early Native American settlements were followed by a mission period, in which Spanish missionaries settled communities throughout California in the late 18th century. After the Mexican War of Independence, California’s missions had to be largely self-sufficient. San Luis Obispo expanded into a ranching community to serve the local needs.

The area experienced a huge economic boom with the Gold Rush, which in turn increased beef prices in the mid-19th century. The area also brought many Chinese laborers who were working on the Pacific Coast Railway. San Luis Obispo had a bustling Chinatown section by the end of the 19th century. Today, the area has a healthy tourism industry, boosted by many outdoor sports and fair weather. Utility companies are currently the largest employers in the area. Local schools, government entities, and healthcare companies also employ a large part of the San Luis Obispo population.

In the event that you have been accused of a crime in the San Luis Obispo area, you should contact an attorney as soon as you can. At the Law Offices of David Chesley, we are committed to helping people who are facing criminal charges, and our San Luis Obispo criminal defense lawyers are standing by to review your case at no cost to you. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Here are some websites with local resources you might find helpful:

San Luis Obispo Police Department
1042 Walnut Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Non-Emergency Telephone: (805) 781-7317

San Luis Obispo Public Library
995 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
Telephone: (805) 781-5991

San Luis Obispo City Hall
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Telephone: (805) 781-7100

Local Attractions
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
751 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Telephone: (805) 781-8220

San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum
1940 Santa Barbara Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Telephone: (805) 548-1894
Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County
3592 Broad St Suite 104
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Telephone: (805) 439-4647

Crime in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo has a higher crime rate than many parts of the United States. Crime Rate gives the city a D-, ranking it in the 13th percentile. This means that 87 percent of U.S. cities have higher crime rates than San Luis Obispo. While this may seem high, it is similar to the crime rates in other communities throughout Southern California.

San Luis Obispo Court Houses

Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County
1050 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Telephone: (805) 706-3600

The Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies
There are two classes of crimes: misdemeanors and felonies. (You can also be cited for minor traffic offenses and municipal offenses, but these are civil matters.) There are vast differences between misdemeanors and felonies. You can be treated differently in court, in custody, at trial, and after your case is over. The consequences of a criminal conviction can follow you for years to come. By understanding the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony, you will be better prepared for court and have a better strategy for starting over after a criminal conviction.

What is a Misdemeanor?
California law defines a misdemeanor as a crime for which the maximum penalty is no more than one year in county jail. A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony. In many cases, a misdemeanor is a less serious version of the same felony offense. For example, petty theft could be a misdemeanor, but grand theft is a felony. Common examples of California misdemeanor offenses include:

• DUI
• Driving on a suspended license
• Reckless driving
• Shoplifting and theft of property under $950
• Trespassing
• Domestic violence without physical injury
• Disturbing the peace
• Vandalism
• Simple assault and battery
• Possession of small amounts of drugs

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Misdemeanor Conviction?
Many misdemeanors have specific sentencing guidelines in the statute that creates the offense. For any misdemeanors that do not state a specific sentence, the maximum sentence allowed under California law is six months in jail and/or a $1000 fine. In addition to jail time and a fine, you can also be ordered to complete probation and complete other tasks (such as community service or attending AA meetings).

What is a Felony?
A felony is a criminal offense that carries a maximum potential sentence of one year or more in state prison. If you are convicted of a felony, you can also face a fine of up to $10,000 in addition to a prison sentence. Common examples of California felony offenses are:

• Aggravated assault
• Manslaughter and murder
• Armed robbery
• Burglary
• Sexual assault
• Rape
• Sexual conduct with a child
• Possession of child pornography
• Domestic violence with injuries
• Possession of drugs for sale

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Felony Conviction?
Long prison terms and large fines are only the first in a long series of consequences a person faces with a felony on his or her criminal record. Criminals are prohibited from owning guns, voting, and serving on juries. (These rights can be restored by petitioning the court, but the process is neither automatic nor guaranteed.) With a felony on your record, you may find it more difficult to secure housing or employment. It could even be more difficult to access credit, loans, home mortgages, and other financial services. Furthermore, a professional license (for example, to practice law, medicine, or accounting) could be revoked as a result of a felony conviction. Expunging a felony can help clear your record and make it easier to access these services. Expungement can be a difficult and costly process, and it is not available in all cases. It is far better to work with an attorney to prevent wrongful convictions, excessive sentences, or felonies that should be misdemeanors.

The Right Criminal Defense Attorneys For All San Luis Obispo Charges
The best criminal defense lawyers in San Luis Obispo are at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our attorneys serve clients in Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles, Cambria, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Grover Beach, Templeton, Oceano, Santa Margarita, Avila Beach, and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For years, clients have trusted our skilled legal team to defend their constitutional rights. We hold police and prosecutors accountable for adhering to the law. Call our Santa Barbara offices at (661) 473-0422 to schedule your case review.