Criminal defense lawyers in Yorba Linda, CA. Nobody in Yorba Linda, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a rash choice, without realizing the consequences. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you're searching for a Yorba Linda, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
Whatever you need legal help with, 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 our results speak for themselves. Talk to a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consult with an attorney.
Why You Need a Yorba Linda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're hesitating, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is known for being very punishing towards convicts, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference the outcome of your case.
On a related note, the longer you take to work with , the more possible it is to inadvertently give the district attorney evidence which, fair or not, can make you look guilty. By trying to clear up the charges on your own, you might be accidentally decreasing your chances of a positive outcome.
Talking to a Yorba Linda, 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 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 always ready for your call and can offer legal advice right away.
Yorba Linda, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Arrests are high-tension situations in Yorba Linda, CA. Your defense starts the moment you are arrested, and you want to handle it the right way. Here's what to do during the arrest proceedings, in order to enhance your chances of a advantageous outcome:
- Don't Run From or Fight the Arrest: Acting out, trying to get away, or harming the government officials won't do you any good. In fact, you could see more criminal charges that are even harder to beat.
- Don't Answer Questions: When you are interviewed by the authorities, politely inform them that you are declining to answer questions without a lawyer present.
- Talk to a Lawyer: California allows people to make three phone calls after an arrest – the first one of these should be 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 prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Gather Evidence: As a first step in building your defense, you should organize any information you have regarding your case and provide it to your lawyer.
When you take these precautions and work with a leading Yorba Linda, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a staunch defense.
The Role of a Yorba Linda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Case
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we believe that criminal defense attorneys have an obligation to care for clients as people, beyond just looking at the charges they're facing. Because your defense should be centered around you, we both make a defense in a way that works best for you and care about the broader implications on your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Studying your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Prepare a high-level defense typically featuring motions to suppress evidence, finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and fighting the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if there is a trial. We take steps to prevent prejudiced juries, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the prosecution 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 at the trial's end. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
- Helping you start over after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't assume that you're stuck with your record.
Areas of Expertise for Our Yorba Linda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Yorba Linda, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:
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. Our Yorba Linda, CA traffic and criminal defense lawyers can help with:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Expungement
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges cannot be taken lightly. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another person. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assaulting a Police Officer
- Hate Crimes
- Brandishing a Weapon
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Yorba Linda, 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. If you're accused in Yorba Linda of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Heroin
- Drug Possession
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Yorba Linda, 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. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Sex crime charges that our criminal defense lawyers in Yorba Linda, CA, defend include:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Yorba Linda, CA. If convicted, you could go to jail for decades. This means that you need a strong defense against these charges. Our attorneys can help you fight all of the below charges:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.
What You Want in a Yorba Linda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Yorba Linda, CA, but some stand out from the rest. Working with the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – on both sides of the courtroom .
- Connections With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
- Familiarity With Your Charges – practice defending previous cases just like yours.
- Stellar Reputation – from other lawyers and from people they've previously defended.
- Responsiveness and Availability – someone who works with your schedule and doesn't keep you in the dark.
- Clear Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Yorba Linda, CA:
For every single case we take, we build the fiercest defense possible. We don't rely on the prosecution making a mistake; our attorneys are always vigilant throughout the legal process, showing strength in the face of the prosecution and showing reasonable doubt to the jury.
When you call our Yorba Linda, 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 – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, you get the opportunity to be freed before a trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Act as Your Intermediary With the District Attorney – We'll look for a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Based on all our experience and research into your case, we'll dissect the state's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, our team will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
The Advantages of Working With Our Yorba Linda, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.
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. If these negotiations don't work out, though, and you need a defense in front of a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.
We're top-rated by both clients and legal experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can get in touch with us any time of day if you need an update on your case or you need advice in a situation.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Yorba Linda, CA
The system moves fast after an arrest. 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 Yorba Linda, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and have answers for you below:
Should I still hire a Yorba Linda, CA, criminal defense lawyer if I'm not guilty?
Yes – while the police should never intentionally accuse an innocent person, somthing could get mixed up, and if law enforcement did make a mistake, a lawyer can help prove your innocence.
What is the hardest criminal charge to beat?
Each case is unique, so there isn't a hard and fast rule on "which charge is the hardest to beat." Generally speaking, though, white collar crimes, crimes against children, and repeat DUI accusations are treated harshly.
Are arrests also on my criminal record?
Arrests do go on your record, but these aren't always permanent – the government keeps a record of arrests, but without a conviction, the court can restrict access to those records.
When can police arrest someone if they don't have a warrant?
When an officer has probably cause, they can arrest you regardless of whether they have a warrant or not.
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 plea bargaining work in California?
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 allow them to focus on the most serious cases, while defendants can take them to avoid the risks of a trial.
Call Our Firm – Your Future Is at Stake
If you're facing criminal charges in Yorba Linda, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You deserve top-notch representation. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.
We will mount a comprehensive legal defense to protect you. Talk to an attorney today – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighting an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense right away.
Our law firm can also assist with the below services in Yorba Linda, CA:
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