Criminal defense lawyers in La Mesa, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a La Mesa, 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 had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you have to find a La Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a La Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're delaying, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California has historically been very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Plus, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to carelessly give the police evidence for their case. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be inadvertently making it harder on yourself.
Reaching out to a La Mesa, 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 taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your defense lawyer 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 ready 24/7 for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
What to Do After Being Arrested in La Mesa, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in La Mesa, CA. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Here's what to do during the arrest and following court procedures, to improve the likelihood of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Acting out, attempting to flee, or attacking the law enforcement officers won't do you any good. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interviewed by the authorities, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Talk to a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in La Mesa, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – before anyone else, make sure to place a call 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 able to act freely before a potential trial can be invaluable.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should collect whatever data you have regarding the charges and share it with your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with a skilled La Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a mighty defense.
How Our La Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because of our individual-tailored approach, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
- Create a fierce defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should your charges go to trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, display the flaws in the state's case, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you get a fresh start once the case is over. 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.
La Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
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 can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. 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 La Mesa, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in La Mesa, CA. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Resisting Arrest
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in La Mesa, 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 La Mesa of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
La Mesa, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in La Mesa, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in La Mesa, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a leading La Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in La Mesa, CA.
What To Look For in Your La Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a La Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is critical to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Stellar Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Open and Honest Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
Our Criminal Defense Process in La Mesa, CA:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
The minute you call our La Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. 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 Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Negotiate With the Prosecution – In many cases, we're about to obtain a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
What You Can Expect From Our La Mesa, 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 type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both clients and experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We have affordable rates, multiple payment options, and our phones are available any time of day if you learn something new about your case or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in La Mesa, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, 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 La Mesa, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a La Mesa, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, nobody is perfect, and your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
What is the hardest criminal charge to beat?
Each case is unique, so there isn't a hard and fast rule on "which charge is the hardest to beat." Generally speaking, though, white collar crimes, crimes against children, and repeat DUI accusations are treated harshly.
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?
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.
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 arrest you without 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 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 get through cases faster, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
If you've been accused of committing a crime in La Mesa, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to be your defender.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Speak with one of our lawyers now – the La Mesa, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case and protecting your rights.
We also provide the following legal services in La Mesa, CA:
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