Criminal defense lawyers in Palm Desert, CA. Everyone in Palm Desert, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your best friend tried to drive home after one too many drinks, and you're finding yourself needing a premier Palm Desert, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free consult with an attorney.
Reasons to Find a Palm Desert, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're waiting, the state is working on its case. California has historically been very tough on crime, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
On top of that, the longer you take to work with , the more possible it is to unittingly give the prosecuting attorney 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 accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Talking to a Palm Desert, 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 lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
Arrests can happen any time of day or year, and we're ready to help whenever they happen. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available around the clock for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Palm Desert, CA
Nobody in Palm Desert, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Here's what to do while in custody, in order to strengthen your chances of a positive outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Refusing to go, attempting to flee, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Don't Answer Questions: If you are interrogated by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Contact an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Palm Desert, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be 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 trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should gather whatever data you have on the charges and send it to your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with the right Palm Desert, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Palm Desert, 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 have a client-centered focus, we both craft a defense specific to you and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Researching your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Design a strong defense often consisting of motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case reaches a trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, they are more likely to let you take a deal with lesser charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a 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 once the case is over. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
Case Categories Our Palm Desert, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Palm Desert, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Palm Desert, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. If you're accused in Palm Desert of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Palm Desert, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
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
It's hard to thing of a charge in Palm Desert, CA that's as significant as murder. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. 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 attorneys for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
Top Qualities for a Palm Desert, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Palm Desert, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not every firm is equipped for the job. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships With Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- High Reputation – they should be known for providing quality and compassionate service.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Transparent Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
How We Fight in the Palm Desert, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, scaring the state and persuading the jury.
As soon as you call our Palm Desert, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we'll fight to have your case dropped before it grows into a major problem for you.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal which works best for you.
- 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 – Depending on the outcome of the trial, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can explore follow-up options that will give you a second chance.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Palm Desert, 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 fight against them with their own playbook.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
W're known for our success amongst 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're upfront with our fees, and you can talk to one of our representatives regardless of the time if need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Palm Desert, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. There's a lot you're trying to find out, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Palm Desert, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Palm Desert, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Palm Desert, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
If I'm arrested in Palm Desert, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
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 detain you without 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.
How does sentencing work in Palm Desert, CA?
In Palm Desert, 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 are the advantages of plea bargaining in Palm Desert, CA?
Plea bargaining is the process by which your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney negotiate to find a lighter sentence for the person charged with a crime, in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Speak with one of our lawyers now – the longer you take to contact one of our attorneys, the larger the state's case is growing against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case now.
We also provide the following legal services in Palm Desert, CA:
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