Criminal defense lawyers in El Cajon, CA. Everyone in El Cajon, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you have to find a leading El Cajon, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
Whatever the case is, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Get in touch with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
The Importance of Working With a Leading El Cajon, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're hesitating, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California has historically been very harsh in sentencing, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference the outcome of your case.
On top of that, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to unconsciously give the state evidence that could be used to convict you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be accidentally setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Reaching out to a El Cajon, CA, criminal defense lawyer early can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your attorney may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
Whether it's midday on the weekend or the middle of the night during the week, you need a lawyer who is prepared for your call. 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.
How to Handle an Arrest in El Cajon, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in El Cajon, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Do the following while going through the arrest process, to strengthe your odds of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Being difficult, running, or attacking the government officials won't help your case. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the government officials, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Contact a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in El Cajon, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being released prior to a potential trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Document Everything: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should organize all information you have regarding your defense and share it with your criminal defense lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with the right El Cajon, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
The Role of a El Cajon, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
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 make a defense in a way that works best for you and understand the impact we have on your life.
We approach each case by:
- Absorbing 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.
- Prepare a effective defense typically featuring motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should your charges go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, dissect the state's case against you, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you clear your record once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
Case Types Our El Cajon, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in El Cajon, CA, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in El Cajon, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In El Cajon, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. 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. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in El Cajon, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. We will fight against any of the following charges in El Cajon:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiods
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
El Cajon, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in El Cajon, CA:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in El Cajon, CA that's as significant as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a leading El Cajon, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our legal team for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in El Cajon, CA.
Finding the Right El Cajon, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in El Cajon, CA, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- High Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Clear Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
How We Fight in the El Cajon, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and satisfying the jury.
As soon as you call our El Cajon, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Evaluate Your Charges – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Negotiate With the District Attorney – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Advantages of Working With Our El Cajon, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
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 El Cajon, CA, court. We make it easy to understand the costs, and our phones are available at all times if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in El Cajon, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. Most people feel very stressed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions El Cajon, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a El Cajon, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, somthing could get mixed up, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in El Cajon, CA?
The circumstances around your DUI will have a major impact on its outcome. If it's your first DUI and you work with the right attorney, there's a good chance you can avoid jail time. However, repeat DUIs are often treated much more harshly and can be felonies.
If I'm arrested in El Cajon, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can place you under arrest even if they don't have a warrant.
What are diversionary programs?
Diversionary programs, such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court, are alternatives to the traditional court and sentencing process. They normally allow for treatment to be given to people who are accused of a crime, rather than being sent to prison.
What is plea bargaining?
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. District attorneys use them to handle cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Whatever El Cajon, CA, charges you're facing, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. And at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll find a local criminal defense lawyer who's right for you.
We will watch out for your rights and make sure you get justice in your case. Reach out right away – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story as soon as possible.
We also can help in the following legal areas in El Cajon, CA:
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