Stockton Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Stockton Criminal Defense Lawyer

Stockton, located in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley, is the county seat of San Joaquin County. Its earliest known inhabitants were Yatchicumne – a branch of the Yokuts Native American tribe. European land settlers came to the area in the mid -9th century. The Gold rush caused Stockton to become a popular supply stop, and it developed into a river port. In 1849 a town site was laid out. After going through several names, the town was named in honor of Commodore Robert F. Stockton. It was officially incorporated in 1850. Stockton’s economy was supported by development in many different sectors during World War I and World War II.

Unfortunately, the city hit economic problems in the late ‘90s and early 00’s. It was disproportionately impacted by the subprime mortgage crisis: Stockton had the highest foreclosure rate in the entire country by 2008, and the city itself was forced to declare bankruptcy in 2012. In spite of these challenges, Stockton’s economy is rebuilding. The City completed a successful bankruptcy plan in 2015 and employers in the medical and education sectors provide a large number of jobs to Stockton residents.

If you have been accused of a crime in the Stockton area, you should call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley as soon as you can. Mr. Chesley is a skilled criminal defense attorney in Stockton who has the experience required to resolve your case and protect your rights. Call us today to schedule your free case evaluation.

Here are some links to helpful local resources:

Stockton Police Department
22 E Market Street
Stockton, CA 95202
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency Telephone: (209) 937-8377

Stockton City Hall
425 N. El Dorado Street
Stockton, CA 95202
Telephone: (209) 937-8212

Crime in Stockton

Neighborhood Scout reports very high crime rates in the Stockton area. The city’s violent crime rate (per thousand residents) is nearly three times the national average. It is also more than double the California average. Stockton’s rate of property crimes is also more than double the national average. It is ranked in the 97th percentile, meaning that only three percent of American cities have higher crime rates than Stockton. In spite of these challenges, there are still areas of Stockton that are safer than others. Neighborhood Scout ranks them as follows:

1. 1. Holt and Gillis
   2. Lane
   3. Waterloo
   4. Armstrong and Bear Creek
   5. E Mariposa Road and Austin Road
   6. Saint Andrews Drive and Buckley Cove Way
   7. Davis Road and Thornton Road
   8. Garden Acres
   9. W Eight Mile Road and Rio Blanco Road
   10. Lincoln Village

Stockton Court Houses

San Joaquin Superior Court
Stockton Courthouse
180 E Weber Ave
Stockton, California 95202

(209) 992-5555 Information
(209) 992-5695 Administration & Judges
(209) 992-5691 Criminal

Drug Charges

There are many different offenses that fall under the broad category of drug charges. Some of these are relatively minor misdemeanors. In these circumstances, it is possible to quickly rebuild your life and move past a conviction. But other drug charges are serious felonies. After years in prison, a person convicted of a drug felony will be subjected to a host of collateral consequences, such as the loss of civil rights. It can be difficult for a felon to find employment or housing. Life is much harder after a felony, so it is important to hire an experienced defense attorney who knows how to mitigate the consequences of a drug charge – and prevent wrongful convictions altogether. Learn more about the different types of drug offenses you can be charged within California:

Possession and Possession of Paraphernalia

The severity of possession charges largely depends on the amount of the drug that you possessed. If you have only a small amount for personal use, your charges are likely to be less serious than if you possessed enough of a drug to sell it to others. Drug charges are more likely to be charged as misdemeanors when you have only a small amount. Possession of paraphernalia works in a similar way: if you only have one or two devices for your own personal use, this is charged less harshly than a case where there are hundreds of thousands of pieces of paraphernalia to be sold to others. Possession of small amounts of paraphernalia also tends to be charged less seriously than possession of actual drugs. These charges often allow a defense lawyer to secure a fair plea deal or diversion program for their client.

Marijuana Offenses

Despite the fact that California now allows recreational marijuana use, it is still possible to be charged with marijuana offenses. The law limits the amount of marijuana you may possess. You are also prohibited from selling your marijuana to others, and possessing large amounts of paraphernalia. If you are convicted or plead guilty to a marijuana offense, you could also lose your right to use recreational marijuana in the future.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Unlike alcohol, there is no set blood limit at which you are presumed to be impaired by drugs. But it is still possible to face serious felony consequences for driving under the influence of drugs. A reckless driving charge might start out as a low-level misdemeanor, but it could still result in a license suspension. If you cause a crash that kills someone, you could even be charged with vehicular manslaughter. You need an experienced defense attorney to protect your rights when you are facing serious homicide charges.

Experienced Stockton Defense Attorneys For All Criminal Charges

The best “Stockton defense lawyers near me” are right here at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our skilled legal team serves clients in Tracy, Country Club, Ripon, Garden Acres, Lathrop, Galt, Lodi, and throughout San Joaquin County. Our defense lawyers have experience handling all types of criminal charges. They fight hard to defend our clients’ important constitutional rights. Now more than ever, it is important to hold police officers and prosecutors accountable for respecting individuals’ dignity, and administering the law in a fair manner. Call our San Joaquin offices at (510) 403-8809 to schedule your case review.