Criminal defense lawyers in Huntington Beach, CA. Nobody in Huntington Beach, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you need to contact a Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a no obligation case review.
The Importance of Working With a Huntington Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're pausing, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California has a reputation for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether you can get off innocent, or make use of a diversionary program.
On top of that, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more chances you have to inadvertently give the police evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally making your case harder to fight.
Reviewing your case with a Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your defense lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always ready for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Huntington Beach, CA
Being arrested in Huntington Beach, CA, is a very stressful event. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Do the following while going through the arrest process, to enhance your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Acting out, trying to escape, or attacking the law enforcement officers won't improve your situation. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Remain Silent: When you are questioned by the investigators, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Find an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – before anyone else, make sure to place a call to your lawyer.
- 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. Being able to go about your life before a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should gather any evidence you have on your defense and make copies to show your attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a skilled Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a mighty defense.
The Role of a Huntington Beach, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
Our attorneys do this by:
- Studying your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Craft a fierce defense utilizing motions to have evidence thrown out, consulting subject matter experts, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should the case reach trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you move on with your life once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on a fresh start.
Huntington Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Huntington Beach, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Our Huntington Beach, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Huntington Beach, CA. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Drive-By Shooting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Huntington Beach, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. Even just holding a drug on California's controlled substance list can result in criminal accusations. If you're accused in Huntington Beach 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
Huntington Beach, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. 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 particularly heinous ones to be accused of. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Huntington Beach, CA:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Huntington Beach, CA that's as significant as murder. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. 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 attorneys for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Top Qualities for a Huntington Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Huntington Beach, CA, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Working with the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- High Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
The Steps Our Huntington Beach, 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 don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
When you call our Huntington Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Evaluate Your Charges – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if possible, we'll find a way to have the charges dismissed, and make it almost as though you were never accused.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Look for Deals With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
Why Choose Our Huntington Beach, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We have a strong 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. Our rates are affordable, and you can get in touch with us whenever you need to if need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Huntington Beach, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. It can be hard just to move forward, 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 Huntington Beach, 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 it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, somthing could get mixed up, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Huntington Beach, CA?
There are options to seal your records for many misdemeanors and even several felonies. In California, this process is called sealing a record, but is sometimes referred to as expungement. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with this process.
Do criminal records in Huntington Beach, CA, include arrests?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – the state keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have 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 detain 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 sentencing work in Huntington Beach, CA?
In Huntington Beach, 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
What is plea bargaining?
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. The state uses them to get through cases faster, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Contact Our Firm – Your Freedom Depends On It
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Don't wait – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighting an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start making a plan to keep you out of prison right now.
We also provide the following legal services in Huntington Beach, CA:
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