Criminal defense lawyers in Palm Springs, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Palm Springs, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you urgently need a leading Palm Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Palm Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Taking too long to find a lawyer can make it harder to get a positive outcome for your case. While you're waiting, the the evidence against you is piling up. California has a reputation for being very harsh in sentencing, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Even worse, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to carelessly give the prosecution evidence that could be used to convict 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 setting a trap for yourself.
Hiring a Palm Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your defense attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Palm Springs, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Palm Springs, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Do the following during the arrest and following court procedures, in order to enhance your chances of a good outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Being difficult, trying to get away, or harming the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interrogated by the authorities, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Contact a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom prior to a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should organize whatever facts you have related to the charges and send it to your lawyer.
If you do all of the above and work with the right Palm Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a potent defense.
How Our Palm Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we listen to you first, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and know the difference we can make in your life.
Our team will support you 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.
- Create a fierce defense using motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should the case reach trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, dissect the state's case against you, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you move forward after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
Areas of Expertise for Our Palm Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Palm Springs, CA criminal charge, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. In Palm Springs, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Palm Springs, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. 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 Palm Springs, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. If you're accused in Palm Springs of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Opiods
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Palm Springs, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. 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 are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Palm Springs, CA that's as significant as murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a leading Palm Springs, 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.
Contact our lawyers with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
Finding the Right Palm Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Palm Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not all law firms are created equal. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Stellar Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- 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.
- Clear Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
The Steps Our Palm Springs, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take 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 believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and satisfying the jury.
The minute you call our Palm Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Investigate Your Charges – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – 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 show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Look for Deals With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Advantages of Working With Our Palm Springs, 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 take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. And if your case does end up going before a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We have an esteemed reputation with both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Palm Springs, CA, court. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can call us whenever you need to if you learn something new about your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Palm Springs, 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 you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Palm Springs, CA, residents have regarding 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.
Is there a way to remove convictions from my record in Palm Springs, CA?
There are options to seal your records for many misdemeanors and even several felonies. In California, this process is called sealing a record, but is sometimes referred to as expungement. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with this process.
If I'm arrested in Palm Springs, CA, is that on my record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the authorities keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
Why do people plea bargain in Palm Springs, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Palm Springs. 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 can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With Our Palm Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
If you're facing criminal charges in Palm Springs, CA, you need a strong defense strategy. You deserve top-notch representation. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. 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 building your case now.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Palm Springs, CA:
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