Criminal Defense and DUI Lawyers & Attorneys San Diego, CA

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San Diego

Our San Diego Office is located at:

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

7676 Hazard Center Drive, Suite 500
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 752-2235

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

Founded on March 27, 1850, San Diego is known for its ideal climate and many different attractions. As of 2010, this city has a population of 1,307,402. It’s the eighth-most populated city in the U.S. and the second most populated in California. San Diego has been called “America’s Craft Beer Capital” and the “Birthplace of California” since it was the first site the Europeans visited and settled on the West Coast. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, San Diego has one of the best top-ten climates in the U.S.

Helpful city resources:

San Diego Police Headquarters
1401 Broadway,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 531-2000

San Diego City Hall
Civic Center Plaza
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-5555

San Diego Central Library
330 Park Blvd,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-5800

Attractions Around San Diego, CA

USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor Dr,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 544-9600

San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Dr,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 231-1515

Balboa Park
San Diego, CA
(619) 239-0512

Petco Park
100 Park Blvd,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 795-5555

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Ladera St.
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 525-8213

SeaWorld
500 Sea World Dr,
San Diego, CA 92109
(619) 222-4732

Crime Rates in San Diego
San Diego is well-known for its low crime rate. In 2013, Business Insider named it the 20th-safest city in America. Forbes magazine named San Diego the ninth-safest city in its top 10 list of safest cities in the U.S. in 2010. However, San Diego is no stranger to crime. Most arrests here are linked to either theft or assault. With some of the highest crime areas being near these locations:

Federal Blvd./47th St.
Lincoln Ave./Texas St.

Local Criminal Courts:

Central Courthouse
1100 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Get Directions

Hall of Justice
330 West Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 634-1919

East County
250 East Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 456-4100

North County
325 South Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92081
(760) 201-8600

South County
500 3rd Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 746-6200

Our San Diego criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., have represented clients in all of these courts. As such, they are familiar with the court system, staff, judges, and prosecutors that work in each. This familiarity can put your mind at ease and help benefit your case.

How a San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You

A San Diego criminal defense lawyer’s job is multi-faceted. When you hire a lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you can be assured that you are gaining a fierce advocate who will fight for your legal rights. Doing so involves the following steps.

Evaluating Your Charges and Applicable Evidence
Your attorney will evaluate your criminal charges, evidence, and the best criminal defenses that apply in your case. These actions provide a practical evaluation of the case scenarios and help your lawyer advise you on the best path forward.

Stop Charges Before They are Even Filed

Sometimes, an experienced San Diego criminal justice attorney can meet with the District Attorney (DA) or federal prosecutor after an arrest is made but prior to charges being formally filed. A knowledgeable attorney might be able to present evidence and witness statements that provide prosecutors with the entire picture, not just what the police or alleged victim have reported.

Prosecutors might decide to file lesser charges, such as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. Your San Diego criminal defense attorney might be able to get the DA not to issue an arrest warrant or to reject the case entirely and not file criminal charges at all.

Recommend a Potential Defense Strategy
After a thorough assessment of your charges, applicable police reports, witnesses, and all other evidence, your lawyer can recommend the best criminal defense strategy. Whatever defense strategy they formulate will be based on the specific facts in your case. They might include trying to get the case dismissed, negotiating reduced criminal charges, or fight the charges at trial

Communicate with the DA to Negotiate a Plea Bargain
If negotiating charges is in your best interest, your San Diego criminal defense attorney will attempt to negotiate with the DA to reduce charges, reduce potential sentencing or consequences, or even for a complete case dismissal. Your lawyer can advise you of the benefits and disadvantages of your options.

Help You with the Emotional Facets of Trial
Your attorney will let you know what to expect, which can help decrease some of your anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. They can also help you deal with the potential shock, embarrassment, and depression resulting from a criminal trial.

Give You Objective Insight on the Criminal Justice Process
Your attorney can coach you on what to expect during the criminal justice process or criminal trial. Our defense attorneys can keep you updated with assessments as the case proceeds through its various stages. They will let you know what is likely to happen next and if it is in your best interest to agree to a prosecutor’s plea bargain.

Provide Education Regarding the Laws and Rules Concerning Your Case
Criminal law is an intricate web of state and federal legislation that our San Diego criminal defense lawyers study and practice for years to skillfully help clients like yourself. They can help you understand the gravity of your charges, your rights, and what consequences you might face if you are convicted.

Contact an Experienced San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney Today
These are just a few of the services that the San Diego criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley provide to each of our clients. We recognize that no two cases are the same. The legal representation we provide is individualized and tailored to your specific case. If you have been charged with a crime, are under investigation, or have questions about California’s criminal justice system, we are here for you. Call us at (619) 752-2235 today to book your case consultation.

Recent Results

Our client faced multiple serious charges in Los Angeles County, including Penal Code § 211 (Robbery), § 245(a)(1) (Assault with a Deadly Weapon), and § 245(a)(4) (Assault with Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury). Unlike a co-defendant represented by another firm who pled to a felony conviction with a "strike," our legal team pursued a different strategy. Through the submission of a comprehensive mitigation package to the District Attorney, we successfully negotiated a complete dismissal of all charges.
Our client faced serious charges under Penal Code section 211 for alleged felony robbery involving force and fear in Riverside County (Murrieta Court) . The prosecution argued that probation was not appropriate due to our client’s prior felony convictions in San Bernardino County, including a previous robbery in April 2021 and grand theft in November 2019. Despite the severity of these allegations, our legal team successfully demonstrated insufficient evidence during the preliminary hearing. As a result, all charges were dismissed. This outcome allowed our client to move forward without the burden of a new conviction.
Multiple defendants each facing 7 years charged with smuggling prescription drugs into California from Mexico our client was the only defendant who received NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 5 years for possession of deadly weapon we negotiated a plea for NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 3 life terms for multiple felony counts of Child Molestation and Sodomy with child we proved the charges were fabricated by victims mother DISMISSAL of all charges at preliminary hearing!
Strike case: Client charged with possession of methamphetamine facing 25 years we filed a Romero Motion which was granted case REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR!
Client's estranged girlfriend alleged Client broke into her room and choked her facing 14 years in State Prison we won at trial JURY ACQUITTAL.
Police allegedly discovered 3 bags of marijuana in client's glove box faced 6 years we filed a 1538.5 motion to suppress resulting in DISMISSAL of all charges!

What our clients say Client Testimonials

I am truly pleased with my experience with the Law Offices Of David S Chesley. They answered all my questions and provided me with great advice and legal services. My case resolved quickly. Thank you!
Rodrigo L.

I left court yesterday with my last case being wrapped up. Two court appearances and that’s it. He represented me in a couple of different cases and was impressive to say the least. Always a phone call or text message away. Confident and aggressive when he needed to be. Calming and thorough when meeting with me. Attorney Chesley did exactly what he said he would and I got the results I needed. He seemed to know all the right people at the Temple Street courthouse. You can always get in contact with him quickly and he is a great lawyer. I highly recommend his legal services.
Ricardo Esteves

My brother was given a very caring attorney that was assigned to his case and we had very helpful case managers throughout the process. I strongly recommend David Chesley to anyone who is in trouble. I called in to get help on my brothers case and right away I liked their service. My brothers charges were eventually dismissed after the attorney got him into a program, now he could go on without the trouble of having anything on his record
Erica Geller

I retained Mr. Chesley and his firm and from the beginning they were extremely professional both in communicating the status of my case to me, explaining the situation as a whole, and just downright taking care of business. It was money well spent for a job well done. Thanks again to David and Melissa others that worked on my case. I recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal representation. Don’t just accept things the courts force on you, call this firm and protect yourself.
Elizabeth F.

I contacted Mr. Chesley and his firm because some unfortunate events had left me in a jam. Detectives were demanding I testify or be prosecuted for a crime I didn’t commit. (I wasn’t involved or even at the scene of the alleged crime when it supposedly took place.) Mr. Chesley explained to me that he had been through similar situations with his clients before and understood exactly what was going on. His response to what took place was nothing short of amazing. No matter how small my concern, Mr. Chesley addressed it in a timely manner. He advocated for what is right and empathized with me in dealing with the Court system. After meeting with the supervising D.A. and providing alibi evidence he was able to get me out the situation. I’m very grateful to have found him.
Leon Hanley

I hired David Chesley for my criminal defense in 2012. he was recommended to us for is success results and his low fees. David is very smart and his professional legal advice was honest & much appreciated during these stressful time. David’s knowledge, advice, and communication about what we were to expect was reassuring and beneficial to me. He charged me a reasonable flat rate and didn’t charge me any surprise fees. In my case David Chesley was able to negotiate with the prosecution attorney for the best result I could hope for. He had success at getting my criminal charges dismissed with the judges approval. You will not be disappointed if you hire The Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Britanny Givens

David is very professional, yet very casual. Although it is typically not easy to speak straight up with an attorney, he is very easy to talk to. He replied to my questions quickly and was available all hours. Not only did he get my case resolved with a dismissal, he went above and beyond and got me an expungement without me even requesting it. He never beats around the bush and tells you like it is. At the same time is willing to work overtime to get the results you request. I would use David’s services again in the future.
Andrew A.

very satisfied being a client with the Law Offices of David Chesley.. Negin represented both my husband and I and got both our cases dis issued… Negin was on top of our cases she really cares and did everything she said she would do!!! thanks a lot Negin
Rita K.

I don’t write many reviews, however this time I had to share my admiration and appreciation for this firm. Attorney Negin Akhavan is definitely a person you want representing you in any criminal legal battle. She is the clear definition of the frace “is not what you know, but who you know ” she is not only knowledgeable, she also has the relationships with the right people. I couldn’t be happier with the results she was able to provide.

Thank you Negin.
Gabriel V.

An old felony charge came up, so I hired David and his team in June, and he got me a release on my own cognition on a felony charge in July which has never happened to me, and got it dismissed in October. He was responsive when I called and always kept me updated. Got my case dismissed, was easy to work and handled everything for me. He did an excellent job. I highly recommend David Chesley for any criminal defense.
Jason Corona

They really helped me out in a timely manner. I had a drug charge from 16 years ago and they dealt with it quickly. I can’t recommend them enough. If you have a criminal charges check them out they are awesome.
Santiago L.