Criminal defense lawyers in Yucaipa, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Yucaipa, CA, criminal defense attorney. Maybe you didn't intend to, but accidentally broke the law. Maybe the accusations are false, or you had a momentary lapse in judgement. Or maybe your roommate went out last night and ended up in handcuffs, and you have to find a premier Yucaipa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you protect your freedom.
Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and know how to win in a variety of case types. Speak with one of our representatives at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a no obligation consulation.
The Importance of Working With a Yucaipa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're biding your time, the police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California is known for being very punishing towards convicts, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Beyond this, the longer you spend on your own, the more chances you have to accidentally give the police evidence for their case. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be accidentally making it harder on yourself.
Working with a Yucaipa, CA, criminal defense lawyer early gives them a chance to stop the charges before they make it 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.
When you're accused of a crime, it doesn't matter what time it is. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always prepared for your call and will give you honest, straightforward advice from day one.
Yucaipa, CA, Arrests and How to Handle Them
Don't panic if you're being put under arrest in Yucaipa, CA. How you handle the situation can have a major impact on how your case turns out. Take this advice while in custody, to maximize your chances of a positive outcome:
- Comply With the Police: Acting out, running, or fighting the government officials won't help you in the long run. In fact, it will actually hurt your case.
- Invoke Your Right to an Attorney: If you are interviewed by the government officials, say "I do not wish to answer any questions at this time and am requesting to speak with my lawyer."
- Call a Lawyer: One of your rights during an arrest in Yucaipa, CA, is to make a serious of phone calls – the first one of these should be to your lawyer.
- Post Bail (If Applicable): Most people charged with a crime in Yucaipa, CA, are either released on their own recognizance or given a bail amount to post. Securing your freedom prior to a trial can give you some breathing room and make it easier to build your defense.
- Document Everything: As a first step in building your defense, you should put together all findings you have on your case and provide it to your lawyer.
If you do all of this and work with a premier Yucaipa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, you'll build the foundation for a powerful defense.
How Our Yucaipa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because of our individual-tailored approach, we both create a defensive strategy focused on your goals and act in the best interest of your wellbeing and your life.
We will fight for you by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – From your story, discovery, and evidence reviews. We leave no stone unturned.
- Design a effective defense through motions to have evidence thrown out, utilizing our wide range of resources, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if there is a trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and display reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the evidence against you is weakened, 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 move forward after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
Case Types Our Yucaipa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Take
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared for any category of criminal defense case in Yucaipa, CA, and are prepared to fight for your rights in any Yucaipa, CA, criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
People don't always think of traffic charges as 'criminal,' but they technically are. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Yucaipa, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- Felony DUI Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Yucaipa, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. They range from assault to resisting arrest. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Yucaipa, 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 Yucaipa of the below, or any related charges, contact our attorneys for immediate assistance:
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Ecstasy
- Drug Possession
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Yucaipa, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes frequently come with a harsh social stigma. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
It's hard to thing of a charge in Yucaipa, CA that's as significant as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, you are looking at a major prison sentence, meaning that you need the strength of a premier Yucaipa, CA, law firm to protect your rights. 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.
Reach out to our attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help you fight criminal charges in Yucaipa, CA.
What To Look For in Your Yucaipa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
There is no shortage of criminal defense lawyers in Yucaipa, CA, but not every one is going to be prepared to fight your case. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Pick someone who can offer you the following:
- Experience – especially as a prosecutor, giving insights into how the state builds its cases.
- Relationships Within Local Courts – to leverage in negotiations.
- Insights About Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Good Reputation – from people they've worked with in the past.
- Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
- Open and Honest Costs – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.
Our Criminal Defense Process in Yucaipa, CA:
No matter what charges you're facing, we will prepare our defense as if it will go to trial. We don't sit passively by while the prosecution builds up evidence against you; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and persuading the jury.
When you call our Yucaipa, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we are dedicated to finding ways to protect your freedom. Here's an example of what that will likely look like:
- Learn Your Case – This starts with your story, and continues with our investigations.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, we try to end the case early, before it goes to trial.
- Fight for Your Freedom During the Case – At a bail hearing, we will show the court that you deserve freedom while awaiting trial, instead of sitting in jail unjustly.
- Communicate With the State – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal which offers you an alternative to a trial's risks.
- Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll challenge the district attorney at trial and present a convincing defense to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Yucaipa, 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 way the prosecution builds its case, and we will strike back with a staunch defensive plan.
Because we have long relationships with state officials across California, we can get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. That said, if there is a trial in your case, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We have an esteemed reputation with both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We're transparent in our pricing, and you can get in touch with us whenever you need to if you need an update on your case or there's an emergency.
Frequently Asked Criminal Defense Questions in Yucaipa, CA
When you've been arrested, it's normal to have a lot on your mind. 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 Yucaipa, CA, residents ask about criminal defense, and clear answers to each:
Can a Yucaipa, 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, circumstantial evidence could make you look bad, and when your freedom is at stake, you don't want to take chances.
Are federal charges harder to beat than state charges?
It depends on the case, but generally, federal prosecutors' offices have more resources than state prosecutors, which means that you're up against a much tougher opponent. If you're facing federal charges, you need a high-level Yucaipa, CA, criminal defense attorney.
If I'm convicted of a crime in Yucaipa, CA, how can I get it off my record?
The best way to explore options to remove a conviction from your record in Yucaipa, 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 Yucaipa, CA, include arrests?
Your criminal record does include arrests, but with a catch – the state keeps a record of arrests, but these can be sealed and destroyed if the arrest did not result in a conviction.
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.
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 Yucaipa, CA?
In Yucaipa, 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
How does plea bargaining work in California?
Plea bargaining is a common way to resolve cases in Yucaipa. In the process, a specific (usually lighter) penalty is offered to the accused person in exchange for a guilty plea. District attorneys use them to manage their high caseloads, while defendants often take them because of the reduced penalty.
Contact Our Yucaipa, CA, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Your Freedom Depends On It
Whatever Yucaipa, CA, charges you're facing, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You can't settle for anything less than a top criminal defense attorney. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Speak with one of our lawyers now – 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 telling your side of the story right now.
We also provide the following legal services in Yucaipa, CA:
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