Criminal defense lawyers in Napa, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Napa, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you urgently need a Napa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.
For any criminal charges in Napa, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Leading Napa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're holding back, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California has historically been very tough on crime, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference whether or not you'll have any options available outside of prison.
Beyond this, the longer you take to work with , the more likely you are to inadvertently give the state evidence against you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Working with a Napa, CA, criminal defense lawyer early is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your 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 always ready for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Napa, CA
Nobody in Napa, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Do the following during the arrest proceedings, to enhance your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Acting out, trying to get away, or fighting the government officials won't help your case. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are questioned by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Talk to a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Napa, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to go about your life before a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Gather Evidence: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should collect any information you have related to your case and send it to your lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with an expert Napa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Napa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
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 listen to you first, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and care about the broader implications on your life.
We approach each case 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.
- Prepare a powerful defense typically featuring motions to have evidence thrown out, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if there is a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- 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 move forward once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Case Categories Our Napa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Napa, CA criminal charge, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Napa, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Our Napa, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Napa, CA. 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. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Napa, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. 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
- Cocaine
- Opiods
- Drug Possession
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Napa, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. 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 often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Napa, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Napa, CA, law firm to protect your rights. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Top Qualities for a Napa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Napa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not all law firms are created equal. Partnering with the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas for your defense based on prior experience with similar cases.
- Stellar Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- 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 get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Napa, CA:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and convincing the jury.
When you call our Napa, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Examine Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue 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.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case 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 appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
What You Can Expect From Our Napa, 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.
Our connections in Napa, CA, courts allow us to get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. And if your case does end up going before 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 make it easy to understand the costs, and you can speak to one of our team members at any time if you learn something new about your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Napa, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. 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 Napa, 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 the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, somthing could get mixed up, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
If I'm arrested in Napa, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the authorities 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 a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
If you've already been convicted, what are your options?
California's appeals process is available if there were any errors or mistakes in your court case. A skilled attorney will always explore every available appeals avenue and explain what options you have to keep fighting your conviction.
How does sentencing work in Napa, CA?
In Napa, 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
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Napa. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in Napa, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Start working on your case today – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case and protecting your rights.
We also provide the following legal services in Napa, CA:
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