Orange Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Our Orange Office is located at:

Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Orange Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Orange Criminal Defense Attorney

Like so much of Southern California, the City of Orange was originally inhabited by native peoples before being settled by Mexican explorers in the name of Spain. Spain then issued large land grants as rewards for loyalty to the Spanish crown. The Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana covered the entire area that is today the City of Orange. In 1888 the town was officially incorporated under the laws of the (relatively) new State of California. The early economy in Orange was largely agricultural: the popularity of citrus exports helped the town grow economically, and a real estate boom followed as a result. A second real estate boom also occurred after World War II, as returning soldiers settled their families in this popular area. The booming real estate market continues today.

If you have been arrested and accused of a crime in the area, you should contact an Orange criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we are committed to protecting the rights of people accused of criminal misconduct and know how to resolve cases as favorably as possible. Call us today to schedule your free case evaluation.

Here are some links to local resources that residents and visitors in the Orange area may find helpful:

Orange Police Department
1107 N. Batavia St.
Orange, CA 92866
Emergencies: 911
Non-Emergency Line: (714) 744-7444

Orange City Hall
300 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92866
Telephone: (714) 744-2225

Crime in Orange:
Neighborhood Scout reports that Orange is safer than 35 percent of American cities. This rating is better than many other cities in Southern California, and Orange has lower rates of both violent and property crimes than many nearby cities. These ratings are also significantly lower than both the state and national averages for these crimes. While Orange might be in the bottom half of safest American cities, it is one of the safer areas to live in Southern California.

Orange Court Houses

Orange County Superior Court
Lamoreaux Justice Center
341 The City Dr South
Orange, CA 92868
Telephone: (657) 622-6878

Homicide Charges in California
There are several different types of homicide charges in California. The penalties vary greatly, so it is important to hire an experienced homicide defense lawyer who knows how to defend these complex cases, and hold prosecutors accountable for cases that are “overcharged” (or never should have been charged at all). Here is a brief overview of the different types of homicide charges:

First and Second Degree Murder
The California Penal Code defines first degree murder as the “unlawful killing of a human being or fetus with malice aforethought”. The requirement of “malice aforethought” means that the killing must have been premeditated. This mandate is why vehicular crimes and other accidental killings cannot be qualify as first degree murder under the law. The defendant must also have time to adequately premeditate the murder. If a murder is committed in the “heat of passion”, it is usually considered to be second degree murder – not first.

Second degree murder is something of a catchall category. There are many murder cases that do not rise to the level of first degree murder, but are more intentional than accidental manslaughter cases. These homicide cases are broadly charged as second degree murder. A classic example of second degree murder is a defendant who comes home early to find their spouse in the act of cheating. If they kill the lovers in a fit of jealous rage, there was likely no time to premeditate the murders. (Even if there was a short time, it would not be the “deliberative” premeditation required by the law, in which a defendant has time to deliberate their actions with a “cool head”.)
The difference between first and second degree murder might appear to be minute. The consequences, however, are not. A second degree murder charge can result in a prison sentence that is decades shorter than one for first degree murder.

Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter
California law defines voluntary manslaughter as the intentional killing of another person or acting with a conscious disregard for human life. Involuntary manslaughter occurs when another human being is killed as a result of the defendant’s unlawful or dangerous act. The penalties for manslaughter are generally less serious than those for murder, but these are still felony offenses that leave a homicide on your criminal record.

Vehicular Manslaughter
Vehicular manslaughter is a special category used for manslaughter cases that arise on the road. Thousands of people are killed in road accidents every year, but not all of these cases will give rise to vehicular manslaughter charges. Vehicular manslaughter occurs when a driver is committing an illegal act (or even a legal act in an illegal way) that causes a fatal car accident. The most common example is DUI. Even though DUI is often a misdemeanor, it can still give rise to vehicular manslaughter charges, because it is an illegal act. Even traffic infractions can be used to support vehicular manslaughter charges in fatal accident cases. It is rare for prosecutors to spend time pressing manslaughter charges if there was only one minor traffic infraction (such as driving with a broken taillight or going two miles per hour over the speed limit). But the more egregious the driving conduct, the more likely you are to face manslaughter charges in a fatal accident case. High speed, texting while driving, tailgating, and other dangerous behaviors can all support vehicular manslaughter charges if that driver causes a fatal accident.

Experienced, Aggressive Orange Criminal Defense Attorneys For All Charges

You could spend hours online searching for a “defense attorney near me”, but you’ve already found the best criminal defense firm in Orange County. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is a full-service defense firm. We know how to handle – and win – cases involving all types of criminal charges. Our attorneys fight hard to defend our clients’ important constitutional rights throughout the criminal investigation and court processes. We serve clients in Orange, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and throughout Orange County. For years, clients across California have trusted our skilled legal team during a critical juncture in life. We will fight hard for you, too. Call our Orange County offices at (714) 442-2601 to schedule your free case review.