Criminal defense lawyers in Stockton, CA. Something went wrong, and now you need a Stockton, CA criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke the law on accident. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe your spouse is being charged, and you urgently need a experienced Stockton, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you fight against the charges.
Regardless of the circumstances, 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 have a history of success, even in the toughest cases. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free consultation on your case.
The Importance of Working With a Stockton, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
As you wait to contact a criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are dwindling. While you're lagging, the the government is crafting a case to find you guilty. California is often very tough on crime, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Beyond this, the longer you hesitate before working with a lawyer, the more you risk doing something to offhandedly give the district attorney evidence against you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.
Reaching out to a Stockton, 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 utilizing their knowledge of your case, evidence rules, and connections with the district attorney, your defense 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 ready 24/7 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.
Stockton, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Nobody in Stockton, CA, enjoys getting arrested. While you may not want to cooperate with the authorities, doing so (the right way) is important. Take this advice during the arrest and following court procedures, to enhance your chances of a favorable outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Causing trouble, trying to escape, or harming the police won't help your case. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are questioned by the investigators, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Contact an Attorney: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – to get immediate legal protection, make sure one is to your attorney.
- 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.
- Gather Evidence: As a first step in building your defense, you should collect all data you have on your case and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with the right Stockton, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll lay the groundwork for a powerful defense.
The Role of a Stockton, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we start with your story, we both take realistic approaches in finding you the best outcome possible and understand the impact we have on your life.
We approach each case by:
- Researching 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.
- Prepare a rock-solid defense using motions to remove unlawfully obtained evidence, working with expert witnesses, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Represent you in court if the case reaches a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After weakening the prosecution's case, we may be able to secure a plea deal that protects your freedom.
- Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the trial. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you move forward after a court case. We provide assistance with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
Stockton, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley knows how to fight against all sorts of criminal accusations in Stockton, CA, and are equipped to defend against anything in Stockton, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges are one of the most variable categories of criminal charges in California. Something as simple as speeding or reckless driving, but can range up to hit and runs. In Stockton, CA, we defend each of the following traffic charges:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving With a Suspended License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Stockton, CA. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Stockton, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:
Theft Charges
Stockton, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. Similar to theft crimes, the ones that overlap with violent crimes are the most harshly prosecuted. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
When you're facing murder charges in Stockton, CA, you need a top-tier defense plan. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need a Stockton, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Stockton, CA.
Finding the Right Stockton, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
When deciding on a Stockton, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but you'll need to examine them carefully to pick the right one. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is a major difference maker in the end result of your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
- Connections Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – ideas about how cases similar to yours have been successfully fought.
- High Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – a team that you can get ahold of when you need them most.
- Transparent Costs – affordable rates and payment plans can give you a defense without crippling your finances.
The Steps Our Stockton, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Take to Protect Your Freedom:
Our philosophy is to be as aggressive, thorough, and relentless as we can in each and every defense. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
The minute you call our Stockton, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Learn Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Argue For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we'll fight to have your case dropped before it grows into a major problem for you.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, and argue for bail to be set at a low value.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
What You Can Expect From Our Stockton, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Our Stockton, 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 take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
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 these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
You can hear about our stellar performance from both former clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We offer reasonable payment plans, and our phones are available regardless of the time if you have any questions or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Stockton, CA
A lot is going on after you've been arrested or accused of a crime. 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 Stockton, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Stockton, 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 arrests go on my record in California?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but these aren't always permanent – the authorities 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?
When an officer has probably cause, they can arrest you without a warrant.
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.
How does sentencing work in Stockton, CA?
In Stockton, CA, sentences for criminal convictions normally fall into one of two situations:
- After a plea deal, the sentence is usually whatever was agreed upon
- After a conviction in a trial, the judge will use legal guidelines to decide on a sentence
Why do people plea bargain in Stockton, CA?
Plea bargaining is a set of negotiations between the district attorney and your defense attorney. District attorneys use them to allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Get in Touch With Our Firm – Your Freedom Is at Stake
Whatever Stockton, CA, charges you're facing, your liberty depends on the quality of your defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Get in touch as soon as possible – the Stockton, CA, district attorney isn't waiting, and neither should you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start telling your side of the story now.
We also provide the following legal services in Stockton, CA:
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