Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Fe Springs, 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 Fe Springs, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe a traffic stop escalated out of your control. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you're finding yourself needing a Santa Fe Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consult with an attorney.
Why You Need a Leading Santa Fe Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're hesitating, the prosecution gets a head start on the case against you. California is often very tough on crime, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference for your future freedom.
What's more, the longer you take to work with , the more danger you are in to unintentionally give the prosecution evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be inadvertently making it harder on yourself.
Connecting with a Santa Fe Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to convince the court to drop or dismiss the charges against you.
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 available around the clock 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.
Arrested in Santa Fe Springs, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Santa Fe Springs, CA. 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 strengthen your chances of a positive outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Being difficult, attempting to flee, or fighting the government officials won't help your case. In fact, it can lead to additional charges.
- Remain Silent: When you are interrogated by the investigators, 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 Santa Fe Springs, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the most important thing to do is reach out to your attorney.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Santa Fe Springs, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Being able to act freely before a trial can make a major difference in your case.
- Document Everything: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should collect all findings you have regarding your case and make copies to show your defense attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with a leading Santa Fe Springs, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll create a base for a strong defense.
How Our Santa Fe Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and care about the broader implications on your life.
We approach each case by:
- Learning about 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.
- Create a effective defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if there is a trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their 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 get a fresh start after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Areas of Expertise for Our Santa Fe Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Santa Fe Springs, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
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. Our Santa Fe Springs, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Fe Springs, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
Theft Charges
Santa Fe Springs, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. 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 frequently come with a harsh social stigma. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forcible. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Santa Fe Springs, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Santa Fe Springs, CA, is murder. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need a Santa Fe Springs, 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
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys for a free case review regarding any criminal charge in Santa Fe Springs, CA.
Finding the Right Santa Fe Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Santa Fe Springs, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Partnering with the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Connections With Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- High Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the Santa Fe Springs, 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 don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; We don't let up for the entirely of the legal process, facing down the district attorney and convincing the jury.
As soon as you call our Santa Fe Springs, 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:
- Learn Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the District Attorney – Using our wide network of relationships, we'll explore options for a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As applicable, 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.
What You Can Expect From Our Santa Fe Springs, 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 strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're well-known and well-regarded by both clients and experts. When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you get a team who knows how to win in Santa Fe Springs, CA, court. Our rates are affordable, and you can get in touch with us any time of day if you need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Santa Fe Springs, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, 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 Santa Fe Springs, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Santa Fe Springs, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
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.
Do arrests go on my record in California?
Yes, 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 place you under arrest regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
What is plea bargaining?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. Prosecutors use them to get through cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With Our Santa Fe Springs, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
Whatever Santa Fe Springs, CA, charges you're facing, you need a strong defense strategy. You deserve top-notch representation. The right choice is The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Talk to one of our representatives today – the Santa Fe Springs, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom right now.
We also provide the following legal services in Santa Fe Springs, CA:
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