Criminal defense lawyers in San Mateo, CA. A San Mateo, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe your cousin you've tried to be there for made poor choice, and you have to find a leading San Mateo, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is equipped to help you fight the charges. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free consult with an attorney.
The Importance of Working With a San Mateo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're waiting, the the evidence against you is piling up. California has historically been very punishing towards convicts, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference the outcome of your case.
Additionally, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to inadvertently give the district 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 accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Speaking with a San Mateo, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP can give you access to different, easier resolutions. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your 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 always prepared for your call and don't make you wait — we're ready to start working on your case as soon as we pick up the phone.
San Mateo, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Nobody in San Mateo, CA, enjoys getting arrested. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take this advice during the arrest and following court procedures, to increase the probability of a favorable outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Making a scene, trying to get away, or attacking the police won't do you any good. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interrogated by the authorities, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Find a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): you might be released without being charged, but if you are, you will probably be given an option to post bail. Being released prior to a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should put together all evidence you have on your defense and share it with your attorney.
When you take these precautions and work with a skilled San Mateo, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a mighty defense.
The Role of a San Mateo, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 we start with your story, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
Our attorneys do this by:
- Studying 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 strong defense often consisting of motions to have evidence thrown out, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against 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, display the flaws in the state's case, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you move forward once the case is over. 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 Types Our San Mateo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. Our San Mateo, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance 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. Following are some of the violent crime practice areas which the Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends clients:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in San Mateo, 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 San Mateo:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Fentanyl
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Mateo, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are particularly heinous ones to be accused of. 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 San Mateo, 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 secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. 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.
Reach out to our attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in San Mateo, CA.
How to Pick a San Mateo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in San Mateo, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Hiring the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- Connections With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – be sure you understand the bill and payment structure before hiring your attorney.
How We Fight in the San Mateo, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
From day one, we craft the strongest defense we can against your charges. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
As soon as you call our San Mateo, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. In a criminal defense case, that normally includes the following steps:
- Study Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – 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.
- 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 Prosecution – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and explain your side of the story to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Advantages of Working With Our San Mateo, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our San Mateo, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. We know from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're top-rated by both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. Our rates are affordable, and you can speak to one of our team members 24/7 if you think of anything you need to ask us or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in San Mateo, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. On your own, there's no guide on what to do next, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions San Mateo, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Should I still hire a San Mateo, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, nobody is perfect, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in San Mateo, CA?
The circumstances around your DUI will have a major impact on its outcome. If it's your first DUI and you work with the right attorney, there's a good chance you can avoid jail time. However, repeat DUIs are often treated much more harshly and can be felonies.
Do convictions ever expire from my criminal record in California?
Technically no. Barring special circumstances, after a conviction, the government will always keep it on your record. However, after a certain time period, they can seal the record, lessening the negative impact.
If I'm arrested in San Mateo, CA, is that on my record?
Yes, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but the records can be sealed from the public if there are no charges or convictions.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
When an officer has probably cause, they can detain 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.
How does sentencing work in San Mateo, CA?
In San Mateo, 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 a common way to resolve cases in San Mateo. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to save time, while defendants use them to minimize their time in jail, if they're worried about being found guilty.
Call Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
For any criminal charges in San Mateo, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. This isn't a time to play games with your freedom. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Start working on your case today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case the minute we get in touch.
We also can help in the following legal areas in San Mateo, CA:
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