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!
Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Ventura Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers
1500 Palma Drive, Suite 200
Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 322-3212
Ventura Criminal Defense Attorney
San Buenaventura is the county seat of Ventura County, California. Known by its shortened name, Ventura, the city has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its coastal site, hills, and rivers give the city abundant natural resources that generations of residents have put to good use. Today Ventura is part of an expansive metropolitan area that includes Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. Its population increased by about 5500 residents between the 2000 and 2010 census. This local economy is supported by several large companies, including the popular outdoor gear brand Patagonia. The county government, hospitals, and local colleges also provide many employment opportunities across a variety of industries.
If you gave been arrested in the Ventura area, you should call a Ventura criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. At the Law Offices of David Chesley, we offer completely free, no-obligation consultations. Call us today to schedule yours.
Here are some local resources that you might find helpful while in the Ventura area: Ventura Police Department
1425 Dowell Drive
Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: (805) 339-4400
Crime in Ventura
According to Neighborhood Scout, Ventura is in the 87th percentile of safe U.S. cities, meaning that only 13 percent of American cities rank higher in crime rates. While this might seem high, it is comparable to some of the other surrounding communities in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Residents should take sensible precautions, such as installing alarm systems in their homes and vehicles. It is also helpful to compare crime rates in different areas within Ventura. Neighborhood Scout ranks the ten safest neighborhoods in Ventura:
Ventura – Hall of Justice
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, California 93009
Oxnard – Juvenile Courthouse
4353 E. Vineyard Avenue
Oxnard, California 93036
Simi Valley – East County Courthouse
3855-F Alamo Street
Simi Valley, California 93063
The experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley have appeared in courts throughout Ventura County. We work with the prosecutors and judges, and we know how to negotiate a fair resolution to any criminal case. We also know how to present a persuasive case at trial to any Ventura County jury.
Your Right to Counsel During Criminal Case Proceedings
Most criminal defendants are aware that the Constitution provides them with the right to counsel. Thanks to the famous Miranda warnings, most defendants are also aware that an attorney can be appointed to them if they cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. But there is a lot more to the right to counsel than these simple facts. Defendants who do not understand the right to counsel could accidentally waive their right to an attorney or say something that incriminates them before they ever meet a lawyer. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that defendants understand how the right to counsel works. The sooner you invoke this right, the better protected your constitutional rights will be.
When a Lawyer Must Be Provided to You
The right to counsel only “attaches” at specific phases of criminal court proceedings. In 1977, the Supreme Court held that defendants have the right to counsel “at or after the time that judicial proceedings have been initiated against them, whether by formal charge, preliminary hearing, indictment, information, or arraignment.” The government usually signals this step by filing a complaint or indictment against the defendant. When the defendant next appears in court, they have the right to hire an attorney to appear in court. You can also request that the court assign a lawyer to you if you cannot afford to hire one yourself.
The right to counsel does not apply to every possible criminal offense. Defendants have the right to counsel any time the prosecution is seeking a term of jail or imprisonment. (If the prosecution is seeking a suspended jail sentence, this also triggers the right to counsel because suspended sentences can be revoked, and the defendant would still face jail time.) All felonies and many misdemeanors cannot be prosecuted unless the defendant either has an attorney or has voluntarily waived the right to counsel. But certain misdemeanors can be prosecuted without exposing the defendant to the risk of incarceration. If, for example, a prosecutor wants to seek a small fine for a misdemeanor trespassing charge, the defendant does not have the right to counsel. The defendant still has the right to hire their own attorney for the case. The court will not, however, be obligated to provide an attorney if the defendant cannot afford to hire one. The key factor is the potential risk a defendant faces if they are convicted of the charged offenses. If there is any possibility of incarceration, whether in jail, prison, or on a suspended sentence, the defendant must be provided the right to counsel. If they are not, the conviction can be overturned on appeal.
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation with a Ventura Criminal Defense Lawyer
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley serves clients throughout Ventura and the surrounding areas. Our skilled lawyers have experience handling all types of criminal cases, and they fight hard to defend your constitutional rights. We have years of experience handling California criminal cases. Whether you are facing misdemeanor charges, serious felonies, or have questions about the appeal and other forms of post-conviction relief, the Ventura defense lawyers at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here to fight for your rights. Call our Ventura offices at (805) 248-7408 or contact us online today to schedule your case review.
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