Criminal defense lawyers in Modesto, CA. A Modesto, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe someone asked you for a favor, and you didn't realize it was illegal. Maybe you've been falsely accused, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you have to call a leading Modesto, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Leading Modesto, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're biding your time, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has historically been very tough on crime, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
What's more, the longer you spend on your own, the more danger you are in to unittingly give the prosecution evidence against you. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be unintentionally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Working with a Modesto, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your defense lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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 constantly prepared for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
Arrested in Modesto, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Arrests are high-tension situations in Modesto, CA. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Here's what to do during the arrest proceedings, in order to improve the likelihood of a good outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Refusing to go, running, or harming the law enforcement officers won't do you any good. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are interviewed by the government officials, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Call a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Modesto, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – before anyone else, make sure to place a call to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Modesto, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to act freely before a potential trial can be invaluable.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect whatever information you have regarding your case and send it to your defense attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with the right Modesto, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a potent defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Modesto, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we listen to you first, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Researching your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Create a high-level defense typically featuring motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if there is a trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed 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 allow labels to control you.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Modesto, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Modesto, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Modesto, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Modesto, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. 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:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Modesto, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. 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
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Modesto, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Modesto, CA. 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. 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.
Contact our attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Modesto, CA.
What You Want in a Modesto, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Modesto, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but not all law firms are created equal. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships Within 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.
- Good Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
- 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
How We Fight in the Modesto, CA, Court System 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're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
As soon as you call our Modesto, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Learn Your Charges – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Whether 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 argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Our Modesto, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We've received acclaim from both clients and legal experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We're upfront with our fees, and you can call us any day and any time if you learn something new about your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Modesto, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. It can be hard just to move forward, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Modesto, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Modesto, 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, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
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.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Yes, 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.
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 arrest you without a court order.
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 Modesto, CA?
In Modesto, 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 a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys 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 Depends On It
If you've been accused of committing a crime in Modesto, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to defend you.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Call now – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story right now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Modesto, CA:
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