Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Clarita, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Santa Clarita, 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 had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you're finding yourself needing a Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
No matter what charges you're up against, 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 our results speak for themselves. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free review of your case.
Why You Need a Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're lagging, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California has historically been very punishing towards convicts, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference for your future freedom.
Beyond this, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more danger you are in to inadvertently give the prosecution evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be inadvertently setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Reaching out to a Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away might stop the state's case in its tracks, before you need to go to trial. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always ready for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Santa Clarita, CA
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Santa Clarita, CA. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Do the following during the arrest proceedings, to increase your odds of a favorable outcome:
- Don't Fight Back: Refusing to go, attempting to flee, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help you in the long run. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: If you are interrogated by the authorities, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Talk to a Lawyer: During the arrest and booking process, you should be given an opportunity to make some phone calls – before anyone else, make sure to place a call to your lawyer.
- 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. Securing your freedom before a trial can be invaluable.
- Write Down All the Details of Your Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should put together all information you have related to your defense and make copies to show your attorney.
If you follow these steps and work with a premier Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
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 nothing is more important in a case that the person we're defending, we both build a defense based around your situation and make decisions based on the broader effects on your life.
We assist you by:
- Absorbing your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Craft a high-level defense typically featuring motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should your charges go to trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences when applicable. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you get a clean slate after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't give up on getting another chance.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Santa Clarita, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys know how to win against:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Santa Clarita, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges require an expert criminal defense lawyer in Santa Clarita, CA. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Domestic Violence
- Hate Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Clarita, 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. We will fight against any of the following charges in Santa Clarita:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Clarita, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Santa Clarita, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Santa Clarita, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a Santa Clarita, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
What To Look For in Your Santa Clarita, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Santa Clarita, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Picking the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships With Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Good 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.
- Transparent Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
The Steps Our Santa Clarita, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
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 proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Study Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Defend Your Liberty During the Case – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Connect With the Prosecution – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll scrutinize the state'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, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Santa Clarita, 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 the way the prosecution builds its case, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both former clients and legal experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can speak to one of our team members whenever you need to if you learn something new about your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santa Clarita, 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 Clarita, 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 investigators want to find the right person who committed a crime, people can make mistakes, and you never know if something you say could unintentionally make you look guilty.
How long does a conviction stay on my record in California?
In California, the 'Clean Slate Act' allows for some convictions to automatically be sealed. For most felonies, this occurs after four years, and for most misdemeanors, this occurs after one.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
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 I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If police have probable cause (a realistic suspicion that you have committed a crime), they can place you under arrest without a court order.
How does California's Three Strikes law work?
California's Three Strikes law is a system in which certain serious criminal convictions assign a "strike" to a person's records. If that person is convicted of another crime in the future, they can face an increased prison sentence.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Santa Clarita, CA?
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 the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Is at Stake
When you're facing charges in Santa Clarita, 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.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. Reach out right away – 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 building your case as soon as possible.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Santa Clarita, CA:
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