Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Clara, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Santa Clara, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a mistake and need a second chance. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you're searching for a Santa Clara, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
Whatever you need legal help with, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free review of your case.
The Importance of Working With a Santa Clara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're delaying, the the evidence against you is piling up. California has a reputation for being very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and hesitating to find an attorney could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Plus, the longer you spend on your own, the more chances you have to unintentionally give the prosecution evidence they can use against you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unintentionally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Talking to a Santa Clara, CA, criminal defense lawyer ASAP might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, your attorney 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 always prepared for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
5 Steps to Take During an Arrest in Santa Clara, CA
Nobody in Santa Clara, CA, enjoys getting arrested. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Do the following during the arrest and following court procedures, in order to maximize your chances of a beneficial outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Being difficult, running, or attacking the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Speak With an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Santa Clara, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- 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. Securing your freedom prior to a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: In order to aid with your attorney's defensive efforts, you should organize whatever evidence you have related to your case and make copies to show your lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a premier Santa Clara, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a powerful defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Santa Clara, 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 have a client-centered focus, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and understand the impact we have on your life.
Our attorneys do this 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.
- Design a rock-solid defense often consisting of motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. Sometimes this takes the form of probation, or perhaps a diversionary program.
- Helping you start over after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Santa Clara, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience with all kinds of criminal charges in Santa Clara, CA, and are here to listen, not to judge. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you defend against:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In Santa Clara, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- 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. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Clara, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Clara, 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. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. We can help you fight the following sex crime accusations in Santa Clara, CA:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Santa Clara, CA. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need an expert Santa Clara, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Santa Clara, CA.
Top Qualities for a Santa Clara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Santa Clara, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not every firm is equipped for the job. Partnering with the right criminal defense attorney is vital to creating the right defense for your case. And these are the factors you'll want to look for:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- High Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Santa Clara, CA:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. It's not enough to just sit back and assume the prosecution will fail; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, facing down the district attorney and satisfying the jury.
As soon as you call our Santa Clara, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Investigate Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if possible, we'll find a way to have the charges dismissed, and make it almost as though you were never accused.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that protects your interests.
- 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 take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Advantages of Working With Our Santa Clara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know the type of strategy the district attorney is likely to use, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. And if your case does end up going before a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
W're known for our success amongst both clients and legal 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 get in touch with us regardless of the time if you need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santa Clara, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Santa Clara, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – while it's unlikely that the police will intentionally accuse the wrong person, people can make mistakes, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
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 Santa Clara, CA, criminal defense attorney.
Do convictions stay on your record for life in Santa Clara, CA?
Yes and no – while there are automatic and assisted procedures to have your records sealed, they are still visible to the government.
Do criminal records in Santa Clara, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the government 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 you commit an alleged crime and an officer sees it, or if the officer suspects that you've committed a crime, they can detain you without a court order.
What are wobbler offenses in California?
California defines several alleged crimes as wobbler offenses – these are crimes that can either be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances.
It's almost always better to have them be set as misdemeanors, and your lawyer should explore any options available to avoid felony charges.
Why do people plea bargain in Santa Clara, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Santa Clara. 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 manage their high caseloads, while defendants may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Get in Touch With Our Santa Clara, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
Regardless of the type of crime you've been charged with, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Talk to one of our representatives today – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case without delay.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can also help you with the following in Santa Clara, CA:
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