Criminal defense lawyers in Santee, CA. A Santee, 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've been falsely accused, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you urgently need a leading Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is equipped to help you fight the charges. We have over 25 of the leading criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Talk to a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Hesitating to hire an attorney can give your case major disadvantages. While you're hesitating, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California has a reputation for being very harsh in sentencing, and waiting to work with a lawyer could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Additionally, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more danger you are in to offhandedly give the prosecution evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be unknowingly setting a trap for yourself.
Working with a Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer right away is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going 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 always prepared for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.
Arrested in Santee, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Nobody in Santee, CA, enjoys getting arrested. Protecting your freedom starts with the choices you make in that moment. Here's what to do during the arrest and following court procedures, to strengthen your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Refusing to go, trying to escape, or harming the government officials won't improve your situation. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: When you are interviewed by the government officials, you can just say, "I am invoking my right to have an attorney present during questioning."
- Speak With an Attorney: One of your rights during an arrest in Santee, 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. Being able to act freely prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should gather whatever data you have regarding your case and make copies to show your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with the right Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set your case up for a mighty defense.
What to Expect From a Leading Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Beyond defending your case in court, we want to learn about it from your point of view. Because of our individual-tailored approach, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and make decisions based on the broader effects on your future.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Absorbing 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.
- Prepare a strong defense typically featuring motions to have evidence thrown out, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Present your defense in court should the case reach trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and present reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences at the trial's end. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you carry on after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your future be defined by your past.
Case Categories Our Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Defend
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any Santee, CA criminal charge, and are always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you fight:
Traffic Charges
With the high number of traffic laws in California, these types of charges are among the most common in the state. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. In Santee, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Street Racing Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Assault, battery, and more forceful offenses are all included. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santee, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of 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
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santee, CA, theft charges have perhaps the widest variety of specifics in all of California. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Santee, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a leading Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer on your side. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
How to Pick a Santee, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but this isn't a choice you should make without preparing. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. By going with a lawyer who has the below characteristics, you are ensuring you get the legal representation you deserve:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Relationships Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Insights About Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- Positive Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Transparent Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
How We Fight in the Santee, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, scaring the state and gaining the confidence of the jury.
As soon as you call our Santee, CA, criminal defense lawyers, our team begins crafting a strategy to protect you. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Evaluate Your Case – While the state is gathering evidence against you, we are gathering evidence to exonerate you.
- Argue For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, without excessive bail.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that protects your interests.
- 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 – As applicable, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
What You Can Expect From Our Santee, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we can exploit any flaws in their plan to convict you.
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. If you do end up in a courtroom in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We're well-known and well-regarded by both clients and experts. As premier Santee, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can talk to one of our representatives whenever you need to 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 Santee, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. Most people feel very stressed, and you're left looking for clear answers to complex questions. We've put together some of the common questions Santee, CA, residents have regarding criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a Santee, CA, criminal defense attorney still help if I didn't commit the crime?
Yes – even though law enforcement officials are trying to do their jobs correctly, errors can always happen, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
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.
Do criminal records in Santee, CA, include arrests?
Arrests do go on your record, but with a catch – the California Department of Justice keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
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 arrest you without a court order.
If you've already been convicted, what are your options?
California's appeals process is available if there were any errors or mistakes in your court case. A skilled attorney will always explore every available appeals avenue and explain what options you have to keep fighting your conviction.
What are the advantages of plea bargaining in Santee, CA?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Santee. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. Prosecutors use them to handle cases faster, while defendants prevent the worse case scenario that comes with a conviction.
Get in Touch With the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Future Depends On It
When you're facing charges in Santee, CA, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Talk to one of our representatives today – take too long to make a defense, and it could cost you dearly. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start crafting your case the minute we get in touch.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Santee, CA:
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