Criminal defense lawyers in Panorama City, CA. Nobody in Panorama City, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you were in a bad spot and you made some tough choices trying to get out. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you need a leading Panorama City, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your freedom.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a free consultation on your case.
Why You Need a Panorama City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
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 can be very harsh in sentencing, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference in avoiding a conviction or prison time.
Additionally, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more danger you are in to carelessly give the state 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 unknowingly making your case harder to fight.
Speaking with a Panorama City, CA, criminal defense lawyer early can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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.
How to Handle an Arrest in Panorama City, CA
Being arrested in Panorama City, CA, is a very stressful event. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Follow these steps while going through the arrest process, in order to enhance the likelihood of a beneficial outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Being difficult, trying to escape, or harming the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Don't Talk Without Your Lawyer Present: When you are interrogated by the investigators, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Call a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the most important thing to do is reach out to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Being released before a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should collect all evidence you have regarding your defense and make copies to show your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a skilled Panorama City, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a potent defense.
How Our Panorama City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 of our individual-tailored approach, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your life.
We approach each case by:
- Learning about 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.
- Build a mighty defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case needs to go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, 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 show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
Panorama City, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Panorama City, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Panorama City, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. In Panorama City, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Panorama City, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Panorama City, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Panorama City, 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 strong defense against these charges. 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.
Reach out to our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Panorama City, CA.
What You Want in a Panorama City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Panorama City, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Choosing 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 – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Stellar Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- 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 – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
The Steps Our Panorama City, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and persuading the jury.
The minute you call our Panorama City, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Examine Your Charges – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Negotiate With the State – We'll look for a plea deal that protects you from the worst of the penalties.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
What You Can Expect From Our Panorama City, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our lawyers have experience. When you work with us, you're getting a law firm with a combined more than five decades of legal experience. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get plea bargains that can protect your freedom. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We have an esteemed reputation with both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We offer reasonable payment plans, and you can speak to one of our team members at all times if you learn something new about your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Panorama City, 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 Panorama City, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, somthing could get mixed up, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Panorama City, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Panorama City, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Yes, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
If there is not a warrant out for my arrest, how can the police arrest me?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can arrest you without a warrant.
How does sentencing work in Panorama City, CA?
In Panorama City, 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 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 save time, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With Our Panorama City, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
When you're facing charges in Panorama City, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Don't wait – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighting an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom the minute we get in touch.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Panorama City, CA:
Payment Plans
