Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe the accusations are false, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you need a Santa Rosa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your rights.
Regardless of the reason why you're calling, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is prepared to go to bat for you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free review of your case.
Why You Need a Leading Santa Rosa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're lagging, the the evidence against you is piling up. California is known for being very harsh in sentencing, and starting to build your defense too late could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Beyond this, the longer you take to work with , the more danger you are in to unittingly give the state evidence against you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unintentionally making it harder on yourself.
Reaching out to a Santa Rosa, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your attorney 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 ready for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
Arrested in Santa Rosa, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Santa Rosa, CA. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Take this advice during the arrest proceedings, in order to maximize your chances of a advantageous outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Causing trouble, trying to escape, or fighting the law enforcement officers won't help your case. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are questioned by the investigators, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Speak With a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): During a special hearing, a judge will likely give you the opportunity to post bail and enjoy your freedom before a potential trial. Being able to act freely before a potential trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Record Everything About the Arrest: As a first step in building your defense, you should document whatever information you have on the charges and provide it to your defense attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with the right Santa Rosa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Santa Rosa, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and know the difference we can make in your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Researching your case from all angles – we look at the police investigation, our conversations with you, and our own inquiries into your case all give us an intimate understanding of it.
- Create a strong defense using motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court should the case reach trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, we can often reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Case Categories Our Santa Rosa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. 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 Rosa, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Rosa, CA, are in a tricky place, because the difference between some accusations (for example, possession and possession-for-sale) are hard to distinguish. 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 Rosa:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Ecstasy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Rosa, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. For those that intersect with violence (e.g. robbery), you could be facing years in prison. 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. There are many variations, including the posting of revenge porn, sexual assault, and soliciting a prostitute. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Few charges in Santa Rosa, CA, are as grave as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a leading Santa Rosa, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. To get help with any of the below accusations, contact our offices immediately:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Get in touch with our legal team if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Santa Rosa, CA.
How to Pick a Santa Rosa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Santa Rosa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but there's a wide range of quality. Working with the right 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 – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- High Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – it's important to be able to get updates on your case promptly and are treated with respect.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
The Steps Our Santa Rosa, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. 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 state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
The minute you call our Santa Rosa, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we get started on building your defense. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Evaluate Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – 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 explain why you should be released before the trial, without excessive bail.
- Connect With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll battle against the state at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can take your case to an appeals court if there were any rights violations in the trial.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Santa Rosa, 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 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.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. But if your case does reach a jury, your criminal defense lawyer won't hesitate to give you a powerful defense.
We have a strong reputation with both former 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 Rosa, CA, court. We don't surprise you with fees, and you can call us regardless of the time 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 Santa Rosa, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. It can be hard just to move forward, 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 Rosa, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Do I need an attorney if the accusations are false?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, errors can always happen, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
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.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the California Department of Justice 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?
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 regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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 are the advantages of plea bargaining in Santa Rosa, 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. The state uses them to get through cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Call Our Firm – Your Freedom Depends On It
For any criminal charges in Santa Rosa, CA, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get someone who knows how to handle your case.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Don't wait – 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 as soon as possible.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Santa Rosa, CA:
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