Criminal defense lawyers in Encinitas, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Encinitas, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and this situation requires a experienced Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
Reasons to Find a Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're hesitating, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California can be very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
On a related note, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more possible it is to offhandedly give the police evidence for their case. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unintentionally digging a deep hole for yourself.
Contacting a Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
Arrests can happen any time of day or year, and we're ready to help whenever they happen. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always ready for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
How to Handle an Arrest in Encinitas, CA
Nobody in Encinitas, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Do the following during and after an arrest, in order to increase the probability of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Refusing to go, running, or attacking the police won't improve your situation. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interviewed by the police, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Find an Attorney: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): you might be released without being charged, but if you are, you will probably be given an option to post bail. Staying out of jail prior to a trial can be invaluable.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should organize any facts you have regarding your defense and provide it to your attorney.
If you do all of this and work with a leading Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a mighty defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Encinitas, 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 take the time to get to know you, we both build a defense based around your situation and care about the broader implications on your future.
We give our clients superb representation 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.
- Build a fierce defense through motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court should your charges go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, dissect the state's case against you, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you move forward once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
Areas of Expertise for Our Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Encinitas, CA criminal charge, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Encinitas, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense lawyers know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Encinitas, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Encinitas, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Encinitas, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. If you're accused in Encinitas of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opiods
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Encinitas, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Encinitas, CA, are as grave as murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our legal team if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Encinitas, CA.
Top Qualities for a Encinitas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Stellar Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Encinitas, CA:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the state and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
As soon as you call our Encinitas, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Examine Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the District Attorney – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- 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 – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Advantages of Working With Our Encinitas, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We have an esteemed reputation with both clients and legal experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can call us regardless of the time if need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Encinitas, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Encinitas, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Encinitas, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, nobody is perfect, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
How long does a conviction stay on my record in California?
In California, the 'Clean Slate Act' allows for some convictions to automatically be sealed. For most felonies, this occurs after four years, and for most misdemeanors, this occurs after one.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Yes, but with a catch – the state keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
How does California's Three Strikes law work?
California's Three Strikes law is a system in which certain serious criminal convictions assign a "strike" to a person's records. If that person is convicted of another crime in the future, they can face an increased prison sentence.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to get through cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in Encinitas, CA, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. Our firm's criminal defense lawyers are prepared to give you expert defensive representation.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Reach out right away – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing 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 Encinitas, CA:
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