Criminal defense lawyers in Tracy, CA. A Tracy, CA criminal defense attorney is someone you hope you don't need, but life seldom goes as planned. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe you just happened to be nearby the scene of a crime, and were arrested in the confusion, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe your partner was arrested, and you need to contact a Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is see you through the challenge. 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 use our online contact form for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're delaying, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California can be very brutal in its treatment of convictions, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
What's more, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more you risk doing something to offhandedly give the prosecution evidence they can use against you. By underestimating the charges or talking to the authorities without counsel present, there's a good chance that you will be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.
Hiring a Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your lawyer may be able to reach a resolution with no prison time.
We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're available at all times for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Tracy, CA
Arrests are high-tension situations in Tracy, CA. Staying calm and making the right choices can improve the stakes of your case. Do the following during and after an arrest, to enhance your chances of a advantageous outcome:
- Do Not Resist: Causing trouble, trying to escape, or attacking the police won't help you in the long run. In fact, you can then be charged with resisting arrest.
- Keep Quiet Until Your Attorney Arrives: When you are questioned by the government officials, just tell them that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
- Find a Lawyer: In California, you have the right to three phone calls while under arrest – be sure one of them is to your attorney.
- 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 prior to a potential trial can make the rest of the defense process go a little smoother.
- Gather Evidence: While your attorney is probably conducting their own investigation, you should document any findings you have regarding your defense and send it to your criminal defense lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a leading Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll set yourself up for a staunch defense.
How Our Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
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 craft a defense specific to you and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We will go about your 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.
- Design a strong defense making use of motions to suppress evidence, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court should the case reach trial. We ensure that the jury is made up of your peers, present alternative narratives to the state's story, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the district attorney for plea deals. After tactfully showing the strength of our defense to the district attorney, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We'll always be honest with you about realistic outcomes for your case, and how we can work to get you the most positive outcome.
- Helping you start over once the case is over. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be passive with your record and reputation.
Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Tracy, CA. Our criminal defense lawyers will stand by your side against:
Traffic Charges
Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Tracy, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Out-of-State DUI Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges are prosecuted harshly in Tracy, 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. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Tracy, CA, are often based around someone either allegedly carrying or allegedly trying to sell a controlled substance. The state of California imposes criminal penalties for the misuse of everything from marijuana to fentanyl. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Tracy, CA, theft charges frequently intersect with other types of criminal cases. As a category, it encapsulates everything from shoplifting to fraud. With a local criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can get help fighting the following:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are often viewed as some of the most serious charges a person can face. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Tracy, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Arguably, the worst crime to be accused of in Tracy, CA, is murder. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Reach out to our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.
What To Look For in Your Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
You will have no problem finding a criminal defense lawyer in Tracy, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Working with the proper criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. If your attorney has all of the below qualities, you'll be in good hands:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – that can give you an advantage in both motions and plea deals.
- Insights About Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Good Reputation – ideally with professional recognition and popular opinion.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Open and Honest Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Tracy, CA:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and satisfying the jury.
As soon as you call our Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we start working on your case right away. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:
- Study Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- Fight For Dropping the Charges – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, without excessive bail.
- Speak on Your Behalf With the State – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that you can decide to take.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
Why Choose Our Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know the strategies prosecutors use to try and secure a guilty verdict, and we fight against them with their own playbook.
Using our existing relationships with prosecutors and judges, we're experts at getting a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. That said, if there is a trial in your case, your criminal defense lawyer will be ready.
We're highly regarded by 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 Tracy, CA, court. We make it easy to understand the costs, and you can talk to one of our representatives any time of day if you have any questions or a sudden development came up and you need a lawyer to help.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Tracy, CA
When charged with a crime, there's probably a lot going through your head. Most people feel very stressed, and it's not always clear what to do next. We've put together some of the common questions Tracy, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Do I still need a Tracy, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm innocent?
Yes – even though investigators have the goal of catching the actual person who committed the crime, somthing could get mixed up, and you could say or do something that gives them the wrong impression.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Tracy, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Tracy, CA, is to connect with an expungement lawyer, who can help you explore options to seal and destroy your criminal record.
Do criminal records in Tracy, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
Can I get arrested if there isn't a warrant for me?
If a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that you've broken the law, they can detain 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.
How does plea bargaining work in California?
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 may find them appealing to avoid harsher sentences.
Contact Our Tracy, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Future Depends On It
When you're up against the Tracy, CA, prosecutor, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. Our firm's criminal defense lawyers are prepared to give you expert defensive representation.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Reach out right away – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your case the minute we get in touch.
We also can help in the following legal areas in Tracy, CA:
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