Criminal defense lawyers in Culver City, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Culver City, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you're looking for a Culver City, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is experienced, knowledgeable, and prepared to help. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free review of your case.
Reasons to Find a Culver City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're pausing, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has a reputation for being very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Additionally, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more you risk doing something to unconsciously give the prosecution evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be inadvertently making it harder on yourself.
Reaching out to a Culver City, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
When you're accused of a crime, it doesn't matter what time it is. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always prepared for your call and don't make you wait — we're ready to start working on your case as soon as we pick up the phone.
Arrested in Culver City, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Arrests are high-tension situations in Culver City, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Do the following during and after an arrest, to increase your odds of a beneficial outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Refusing to go, running, or attacking the government officials won't help your case. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are interrogated by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Find an Attorney: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Being released prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Gather Evidence: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should collect all information you have regarding your case and send it to your defense attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a premier Culver City, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a strong defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Culver City, 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 your defense should be centered around you, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and understand the impact we have on your life.
We assist you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Create a high-level defense using motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move forward after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Culver City, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Culver City, CA criminal charge, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Some of the most common Culver City, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. 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. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Domestic Violence
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Culver City, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. We will fight against any of the following charges in Culver City:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Drug Possession
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Culver City, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. 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 range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Culver City, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need an expert Culver City, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Culver City, CA.
How to Pick a Culver City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Culver City, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Insights About Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Good Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
The Steps Our Culver City, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Culver City, 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:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll battle against the state at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Culver City, 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 the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Our connections in Culver City, CA, courts allow us to get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. That said, if there is a trial in your case, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We're top-rated by both former clients and legal experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We offer reasonable payment plans, and our phones are available 24/7 if you have any questions or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Culver City, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Culver City, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a Culver City, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, somthing could get mixed up, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
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.
How does sentencing work in Culver City, CA?
In Culver City, CA, sentences for criminal convictions normally fall into one of two situations:
- After a plea deal, the sentence is usually whatever was agreed upon
- After a conviction in a trial, the judge will use legal guidelines to decide on a sentence
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is the process where the state's lawyers and defense lawyer come up with a deal for the defendant, wherein the defendant likely pleas guilty for a reduced penalty. Prosecutors use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Get in Touch With Our Culver City, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Culver City, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You deserve top-notch representation. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Call now – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story the minute we get in touch.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Culver City, CA:
Payment Plans
