Criminal defense lawyers in La Mirada, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a La Mirada, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you need a La Mirada, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.
Whatever the case is, 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 our results speak for themselves. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a no obligation case review.
The Importance of Working With a Leading La Mirada, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're hesitating, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California has historically been very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Additionally, the longer you spend on your own, the more likely you are to inadvertently give the prosecution evidence for their case. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be inadvertently digging a deep hole for yourself.
Calling a La Mirada, 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 lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time — call us now. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available at all times for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
Arrested in La Mirada, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in La Mirada, CA. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Do the following during and after an arrest, in order to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Being difficult, running, or attacking the government officials won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interviewed by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Call an Attorney: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in La Mirada, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom prior to a potential trial can be invaluable.
- Document Everything: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should organize all findings you have regarding your defense and send it to your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with an expert La Mirada, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a potent defense.
The Role of a La Mirada, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
We believe that criminal defense lawyers have an obligation not only to represent you in court, but to get to know your case from your perspective. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and understand the impact we have on your future.
We approach each case by:
- Absorbing 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 rock-solid defense using motions to suppress evidence, hiring expert analysts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if there is a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, 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 clean slate after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Case Categories Our La Mirada, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in La Mirada, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense lawyers specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In La Mirada, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. 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. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in La Mirada, 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
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
La Mirada, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
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. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in La Mirada, CA. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. 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
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in La Mirada, CA.
Top Qualities for a La Mirada, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in La Mirada, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Open and Honest Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the La Mirada, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
When you call our La Mirada, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Examine Your Charges – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, without excessive bail.
- Look for Deals With the State – 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 present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
Why Choose Our La Mirada, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Our connections in La Mirada, CA, courts allow us to 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, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have an esteemed reputation with both former clients and experts. As premier La Mirada, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can talk to one of our representatives any time of day if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in La Mirada, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions La Mirada, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I still need a La Mirada, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, nobody is perfect, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in La Mirada, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
Do criminal records in La Mirada, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
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 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.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in La Mirada, 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. District attorneys use them to handle cases faster, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With Our La Mirada, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
If you're facing criminal charges in La Mirada, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. 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. Talk to one of our representatives today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case the minute we get in touch.
We also provide the following legal services in La Mirada, CA:
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