Criminal defense lawyers in San Bernardino, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a San Bernardino, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you have to call a premier San Bernardino, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and have successfully defended a wide range of charges. Talk to an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Leading San Bernardino, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're pausing, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is known for being very punishing towards convicts, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Even worse, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more possible it is to accidentally give the prosecuting attorney evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be inadvertently making your case harder to fight.
Working with a San Bernardino, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your defense 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 ready 24/7 for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
What to Do After Being Arrested in San Bernardino, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in San Bernardino, CA. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Take the below steps while going through the arrest process, in order to strengthen your chances of a positive outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Refusing to go, trying to escape, or harming the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are questioned by the police, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Call a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in San Bernardino, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be 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 able to go about your life prior to 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 gather any data you have regarding your case and provide it to your lawyer.
If you follow these steps and work with an expert San Bernardino, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a staunch defense.
How Our San Bernardino, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
Every criminal defense lawyer will take a different approach. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are focused on your experience and how we can serve you. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both craft a defense specific to you and know the difference we can make in your life.
We give our clients superb representation by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Prepare a high-level defense through motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should the case reach trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you move forward after a court case. We offer support with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
Case Types Our San Bernardino, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in San Bernardino, CA, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Some of the most common San Bernardino, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in San Bernardino, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Bernardino, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. 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. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in San Bernardino, CA. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in San Bernardino, CA.
What To Look For in Your San Bernardino, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in San Bernardino, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Partnering with the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Connections With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Positive Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- 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 – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
How We Fight in the San Bernardino, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, scaring the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our San Bernardino, 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 Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – 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.
- 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.
- Negotiate With the State – We'll look for a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into 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 – After the trial, if needed, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier San Bernardino, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we counter it with our compelling defensive strategies.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We've received acclaim from both former 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 speak to one of our team members 24/7 if you need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Bernardino, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. There's a lot you're trying to find out, 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 San Bernardino, 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 should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, errors can always happen, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level San Bernardino, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Your criminal record does include arrests, 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?
When an officer has probably cause, they can detain you even if they don't have a warrant.
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.
Why do people plea bargain in San Bernardino, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in San Bernardino. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. The state uses them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Is at Stake
For any criminal charges in San Bernardino, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. 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. Reach out right away – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story today.
We also can help in the following legal areas in San Bernardino, CA:
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