Criminal defense lawyers in Escondido, CA. A Escondido, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you need a Escondido, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Escondido, 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 lagging, the state is working on its case. California frequently is very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
Beyond this, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more chances you have to offhandedly give the prosecuting attorney evidence that you wouldn't want them to have. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Speaking with a Escondido, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your defense 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 available around the clock for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
How to Handle an Arrest in Escondido, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in Escondido, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Take the below steps while going through the arrest process, in order to improve the likelihood of a good outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Being difficult, trying to escape, or harming the law enforcement officers won't improve your situation. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are interrogated by the investigators, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Call 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 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. Securing your freedom before a trial can be invaluable.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should organize any evidence you have regarding your case and make copies to show your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a skilled Escondido, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a powerful defense.
How Our Escondido, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We assist you by:
- Studying your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Craft a rock-solid defense making use of motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, utilizing our wide range of resources, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if there is a trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you get a fresh start once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Escondido, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are focused on the wellbeing and success of our clients in each and every case. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Some of the most common Escondido, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License 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. If you're facing charges for any of the following (or other) alleged violent crimes, call us immediately:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Escondido, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Escondido, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Escondido, CA:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Escondido, CA, are as grave as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our legal team for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Escondido, CA.
How to Pick a Escondido, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Escondido, CA, but figuring out who is the right fit for you takes some thought. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Positive Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Transparent Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
How We Fight in the Escondido, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; 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.
The minute you call our Escondido, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Investigate Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Connect With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure 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 dissect the state's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
What You Can Expect From Our Escondido, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our lawyers have experience. When you work with us, you're getting a law firm with a combined more than five decades of legal experience. We know the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful 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 Escondido, CA, court. We're transparent in our pricing, and our phones are available around the clock if you have any questions or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Escondido, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. Most people feel very stressed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Escondido, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Escondido, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, errors can always happen, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, 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.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
if you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What are the consequences of a criminal conviction?
Criminal convictions often carry fines and either prison or jail time. On top of that, you can face challenges in employment, housing, professional licensing, and possibly immigration. Because of this, it's critical to work with a criminal defense lawyer to minimize your chances of being convicted in the first place.
Why do people plea bargain in Escondido, CA?
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 save time, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Reach out right away – 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 provide the following legal services in Escondido, CA:
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