Criminal defense lawyers in Clovis, CA. Nobody in Clovis, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you're in need of a premier Clovis, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a no obligation consulation.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Clovis, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're lagging, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California is often very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Beyond this, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to inadvertently give the district attorney evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unintentionally digging a deep hole for yourself.
Reviewing your case with a Clovis, CA, criminal defense lawyer early is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always prepared for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Arrested in Clovis, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Clovis, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Here's what to do during the arrest and following court procedures, to maximize your chances of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, running, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: If you are questioned by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Find a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Being released prior to a trial can be invaluable.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should put together whatever findings you have on the charges and share it with your defense attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Clovis, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a staunch defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Clovis, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because we start with your story, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Researching your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Create a fierce defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We protect you from a biased jury, dissect the state's case against you, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you carry on after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Case Types Our Clovis, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Clovis, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense lawyers specialize in:
Traffic Charges
If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Some of the most common Clovis, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Clovis, CA. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Clovis, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. If you're accused in Clovis of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Clovis, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Clovis, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a Clovis, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Clovis, CA.
What To Look For in Your Clovis, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Clovis, CA, but there's a wide range of quality. Working with the proper criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Positive Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Clear Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
The Steps Our Clovis, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and convincing the jury.
When you call our Clovis, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Understand Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, without excessive bail.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Clovis, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure plea bargains that can protect your freedom. And if your case does end up going before a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We've received acclaim from both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Clovis, CA, court. We're transparent in our pricing, and our phones are available any time of day if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Clovis, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. Most people feel very stressed, and without a guide, there isn't a map to find your way through the situation. We've put together some of the common questions Clovis, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, somthing could get mixed up, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can detain you even if they don't have a warrant.
If you've already been convicted, what are your options?
California's appeals process is available if there were any errors or mistakes in your court case. A skilled attorney will always explore every available appeals avenue and explain what options you have to keep fighting your conviction.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Clovis, CA?
Plea bargaining is the process by which your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney negotiate to find a lighter sentence for the person charged with a crime, in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Contact Our Clovis, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
For any criminal charges in Clovis, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Don't wait – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case as soon as possible.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Clovis, CA:
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