Criminal defense lawyers in Salinas, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Salinas, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you urgently need a Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is equipped to help you fight the charges. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and our results speak for themselves. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
Reasons to Find a Salinas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're hesitating, the the evidence against you is piling up. California is known for being very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference for your future freedom.
On a related note, the longer you spend on your own, the more possible it is to carelessly give the state evidence for their case. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be inadvertently making your case harder to fight.
Hiring a Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your defense 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 ready at all times for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Salinas, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Salinas, CA. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Follow these steps while going through the arrest process, to improve the likelihood of a beneficial outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Acting out, running, or harming the law enforcement officers won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could face even more accusations of breaking the law.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are questioned by the government officials, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Contact a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Salinas, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – be sure one of them is to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Salinas, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being released before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Gather Evidence: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should document any information you have related to your case and send it to your defense attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with an expert Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a powerful defense.
How Our Salinas, 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 all our cases are focused on our client, we both craft a defense specific to you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Learning about 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.
- Prepare a effective defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and battling the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if the case reaches a trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, display the flaws in the state's case, and demonstrate reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at sentencing hearings. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you clear your record after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.
Case Categories Our Salinas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Salinas, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Salinas, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. 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. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Salinas, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. We will fight against any of the following charges in Salinas:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Salinas, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. Whatever theft crime charge you're facing, our theft crime defense lawyers are here to help:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Salinas, CA. 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
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our attorneys for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
What You Want in a Salinas, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Partnering with the proper criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Stellar Reputation – both among clients and with experts.
- 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 – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
How We Fight in the Salinas, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
As soon as you call our Salinas, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Understand Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either 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.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using our expertise and intimate knowledge of your case, we'll battle against the state at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If it applies in your case, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Salinas, 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 from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have a strong reputation with both former clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can call us regardless of the time if you think of anything you need to ask us or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Salinas, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. 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 Salinas, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Salinas, 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 Salinas, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but these aren't always permanent – 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?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can place you under arrest even if they don't have a warrant.
Why do people plea bargain in Salinas, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Freedom Depends On It
When you're facing charges in Salinas, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Don't wait – 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 building your defense right now.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Salinas, CA:
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