Criminal defense lawyers in Simi Valley, CA. Nobody in Simi Valley, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. 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 your child called you from jail, and you urgently need a leading Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.
Whatever you need legal help with, 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 boast a proven track record of success. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
Why You Need a Simi Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're pausing, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California has historically been very tough on crime, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference in a guilty verdict and prison time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.
Beyond this, the longer you take to work with , the more danger you are in to accidentally give the police evidence that wouldn't look good in a courtroom. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unknowingly making your case harder to fight.
Talking to a Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it to court. By taking steps to protect your freedom right away, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
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 ready 24/7 for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
Arrested in Simi Valley, CA? Follow These 5 Steps
Being arrested in Simi Valley, CA, is a very stressful event. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Do the following during the arrest proceedings, to increase your odds of a advantageous outcome:
- Obey Police Instructions: Making a scene, trying to escape, or fighting the police won't help your case. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Don't Answer Questions: If you are interrogated by the police, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Talk to a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – the first one of these should be 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. Staying out of jail prior to a trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Collect Evidence: To ensure you have it available to reference later, you should gather any evidence you have related to the charges and share it with your attorney.
If you do all of the above and work with an expert Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Simi Valley, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
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 your defense should be centered around you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and understand the impact we have on your life.
Our lawyers help you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Create a rock-solid defense often consisting of motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and objecting to the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if there is a 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. If the prosecution isn't confident it will win in court, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the 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 be a victim of a past conviction.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Simi Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Legal Areas
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are equipped to defend against anything in Simi Valley, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. Traffic charges include everything from DUIs to driving with a suspended license to street racing. Some of the most common Simi Valley, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving Without Insurance Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. Several violent crimes have enhanced penalties in special circumstances. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Drive-By Shooting
- Brandishing a Weapon
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Simi Valley, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. Many substances are restricted or illegal in California. If you're accused in Simi Valley of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
Theft Charges
Simi Valley, 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. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
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. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Simi Valley, CA. No matter what the circumstances were, the punishment is strict, up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder. This means that you need an expert Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. 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.
Reach out to our legal team if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Simi Valley, CA.
How to Pick a Simi Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Picking the proper criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Connections Within Local Courts – which can come into play when contacting the district attorney.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good 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.
- Open and Honest Costs – avoid hidden fees and high charges.
The Steps Our Simi Valley, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We know how hard the district attorney will work against you, and we're ready for it; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
The minute you call our Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Gather Info About Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Advocate for Pretrial Release – 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 District Attorney – If the prosecution cooperates, we'll secure a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll deconstruct the case against you at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – As needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
What You Can Expect From Our Simi Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how to win. We're made up of experienced criminal defense attorneys, as well as former prosecutors and judges. 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.
We know district attorneys and judges all across California, and negotiate with them to secure alternative options to a trial, most notably a dismissal or a favorable plea deal. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both former clients and experts. As premier Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense attorneys, we make it our mission to defend every client to the best of our abilities. Our rates are affordable, and you can get in touch with us any day and any time if need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Simi Valley, CA
It's normal to have lots of questions after a criminal accusation. It can be hard just to move forward, and your next steps may not be obvious. We've put together some of the common questions Simi Valley, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Can a lawyer still help me if I'm not guilty of the charges?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, errors can always happen, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Are DUIs easy cases to beat in Simi Valley, CA?
The circumstances around your DUI will have a major impact on its outcome. If it's your first DUI and you work with the right attorney, there's a good chance you can avoid jail time. However, repeat DUIs are often treated much more harshly and can be felonies.
Do criminal records in Simi Valley, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the government 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?
When an officer has probably cause, they can arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
Why do people plea bargain in Simi Valley, CA?
Plea bargaining is the process where the state's lawyers and defense lawyer come up with a deal for the defendant, wherein the defendant likely pleas guilty for a reduced penalty. District attorneys use them to handle cases faster, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With Our Simi Valley, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
Whatever Simi Valley, CA, charges you're facing, how you fight the case will determine the kind of outcome you get. You deserve top-notch representation. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
Whatever crime you've been accused of, we're ready to help. Talk to an attorney today – the Simi Valley, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start making a plan to keep you out of prison today.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Simi Valley, CA:
Payment Plans
