Criminal defense lawyers in San Diego, 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 Diego, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you're finding yourself needing a experienced San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
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 our results speak for themselves. Connect with an attorney at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free review of your case.
Reasons to Find a San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're holding back, the state is working on its case. California has a reputation for being very tough on crime, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Additionally, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more possible it is to accidentally give the police evidence that hurts 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.
Contacting a San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By suppressing evidence and negotiating with the prosecution, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
Whether it's midday on the weekend or the middle of the night during the week, you need a lawyer who is prepared for your call. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always available for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in San Diego, CA
Nobody in San Diego, CA, enjoys getting arrested. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Here's what to do while in custody, in order to enhance your odds of a good outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Causing trouble, trying to get away, or attacking the government officials won't help your case. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are questioned by the authorities, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Call a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in San Diego, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): After an arrest, if you are charged with a crime, you'll probably be given an option to for pretrial release. Staying out of jail 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 your defense and send it to your attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with a leading San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a potent defense.
The Role of a San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because we start with your story, we both build a defense based around your situation and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your future.
We will go about your case by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – we learn your case from both your point of view and the district attorney's, giving us the tools for a powerful defense.
- Prepare a effective 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 there is a trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you carry on after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in San Diego, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In San Diego, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in San Diego, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in San Diego, CA, could be anything from possession, usage, or sale, depending on the situation. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Diego, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. 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 can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in San Diego, CA that's as significant as murder. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a strong defense against these charges. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in San Diego, CA.
Top Qualities for a San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in San Diego, CA, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- High Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Clear Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
The Steps Our San Diego, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, scaring the prosecution and persuading the jury.
When you call our San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Understand Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Argue 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.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Look for Deals With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll dissect the state's argument 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 file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier San Diego, 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 what it takes to stop a guilty verdict, what the prosecution's likely plan will be, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
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 make it easy to understand the costs, and our phones are available any day and any time if you learn something new about your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Diego, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions San Diego, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, errors can always happen, 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 San Diego, 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.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the state keeps a record of arrests, but if you were released without being charged, your arrest qualifies to be sealed.
Can the police arrest me without a warrant?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can arrest you without a court order.
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.
What are diversionary programs?
Diversionary programs, such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court, are alternatives to the traditional court and sentencing process. They normally allow for treatment to be given to people who are accused of a crime, rather than being sent to prison.
What is plea bargaining?
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 allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, you need a strong defense strategy. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
No matter what the charges are, we have the knowledge and skills to fight against them. Reach out right away – 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 and protecting your rights.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in San Diego, CA:
Payment Plans
