Former Judges and Senior District Attorneys - Criminal Defense Attorneys - Chesley David
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Highly-Skilled Team of Attorneys - Criminal Defense Attorneys - Chesley David

Van Nuys Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets
Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets

Our Law Firm Has Been Featured on All of the Above Media Outlets

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Van Nuys – Covello St

Our Van Nuys Covello St Office is located at:

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

1414 Covello Street, Suite 8B
Van Nuys, CA 91405
(818) 538-5881

Van Nuys Criminal Defense Attorney

Do you need a criminal defense lawyer in Van Nuys?

You’d be forgiven if you’ve driven down Victory Boulevard a million times as you headed towards the 405 and never noticed a tan-colored two-story building. After all, there’s no sign advertising the business as pass by. But tucked away in that small, unassuming building is one of the very best criminal defense firms in the country—the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. Mr. Chesley and his team of defense attorneys and investigators are fighting tirelessly for their clients. Clients just like you.

They chose the location because they wanted their office—close to the Van Nuys Courthouse West and the local police station—to be convenient for you. Dealing with a criminal arrest is hard enough, and the last thing you need to worry about is having the entities relevant to your case located in different corners of town.

Van Nuys Local Resources

Van Nuys Community Police Station
Los Angeles Police Department
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
818-374-9500 (Voice)
855-736-3235 (TDD/TTY)

Van Nuys East Courthouse
6230 Sylmar Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 901-4600
(For civil cases, family law, and small claims)

Van Nuys West Courthouse
14400 Erwin Street Mall
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 989-6900
(For criminal cases and traffic court)

Valley Presbyterian Hospital
15107 Vanowen Street
Van Nuys, CA 91405
818-782-6600

National Council on Alcoholism and
Drug Dependence of the San Fernando Valley

6166 Vesper Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91411
818-997-0414

Why You Need to Hire a Van Nuys Criminal Defense Attorney

You should have a private criminal defense lawyer to represent you in any criminal matter. While public defense lawyers typically have reputations as capable attorneys, their caseloads are too large for them to give your case the proper care and dedication that it deserves.

By the Fall of 2020, Los Angeles County public defenders who handle felonies were juggling approximately 50 cases at a time. Those responsible for clients charged with misdemeanors had as many as 300 clients. In a given work year, the best-case scenario would be that a LA public defender with 300 clients spends 6.9 hours on each case. That isn’t enough when your freedom is on the line, when you could be facing months in Twin Towers, thousands of dollars in fines, and more.

By contrast, private criminal defense attorneys are available to their clients 24/7. Depending on the case’s complexity, a private criminal defense lawyer may be working full-time on just one or two cases. And you may see multiple attorneys, investigators, and support staff works as a team for a single client.

That’s why you need to hire an attorney, but it is equally important that your attorney specializes in criminal defense.

The practice of criminal law is highly technical. You want someone who has mastered all the laws and procedures, but success in criminal law goes beyond law books. So, while you may have a great divorce lawyer, or your friend is an acclaimed corporate counsel, success for a case may depend on, for example, knowing which judges and prosecutors are more likely to suspend a DUI sentence if a client goes to rehab and which will not. The only way to know that is to do what David Chesley’s team does: spend a lot of time working in Van Nuys West Courthouse.

How Your Van Nuys Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You?

Understanding Your Case: A private criminal defense lawyer will want to meet you as soon as possible. They will want to understand the basic facts of the case and the status of your arrest. The first priority will be about the immediate concerns, i.e., preparing for arraignment and, if possible, helping you obtain bail. After that, they’ll begin to develop an overall legal strategy for your case.

Preparing Your Defense: An experienced criminal defense lawyer will want to have more in-depth conversations with you. They’ll interview witnesses, examine police records, and review evidence. They may bring in investigators or other experts to do additional research. At the same time, they’ll analyze relevant statutes and case law.

Engaging in Plea Bargaining: Depending on your case, “plea bargaining” may be an option to resolve it. During plea negotiations, you and your attorney may meet with the prosecutor to see if they would reduce the charges they’ve brought against you in exchange for your admitting to either a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (“no contest”). With a plea of “nolo,” you accept the punishment but do not admit responsibility for committing the crime.

Your lawyer can advise you as to when it’s worth it to accept a plea and when it’s better to fight. They can explain the consequences of accepting a plea, how this result could differ from an outcome at trial, and so on.

Preparation for Trial and Work at Trial: If you go forward with a trial, your attorney may draft motions to introduce or exclude evidence. They’ll argue other legal motions and memos, prepare witnesses who will testify in court, write opening and closing statements, prepare questions for the witnesses, select a jury, and much more.

Post-Trial: Even after a trial, the work of your attorney may not yet be finished. In the case of a conviction, you may consider an appeal. If you’re exonerated or have served your sentence, you may be eligible for an expungement, a court process to erase your arrest and conviction from your record.

David Chesley is Van Nuys’ Best Criminal Defense Attorney

The Van Nuys-based Law Offices of David Chesley has earned the descriptor of “one of the top criminal defense firms in the country.” Mr. Chesley and his team have favorable outcomes in 90% of their court cases. Mr. Chesley is a certified expert in DUI defense, and 95% of his DUI clients receive no jail time.

Here are a few of the honors Mr. Chesley has received:

  • National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100
  • American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA)’s Top 100 in the nation.
  • “A+” rating by the Better Business Bureau
  • “Preeminent” rating by Martindale Hubbell
  • “Superb” rating by Avvo
  • Member, California DUI Lawyers Association
  • Member, National College for DUI Defense

But what means the most to Mr. Chesley and his team is the recognition they’ve received from their clients: They have an Avvo “Five Star” Clients Choice Award. That’s what criminal defense work is all about. Helping the client, helping you.

Mr. Chesley and his team are available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a free consultation and case evaluation. Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., at (818) 538-5881 or send us an email to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation.

Areas We Serve

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!

Awards and Certifications

Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications
Awards and Certifications

What our clients say Client Testimonials

Organizations We Are a Member of or Support

Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support
Organizations We Are a Member of or Support