Victorville Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Our Victorville Office is located at:

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

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Victorville

Are You Facing Criminal Charges in Victorville?

No one is perfect—and that includes those in the criminal justice system. We all make mistakes, but some of us pay a higher price than others for what we do wrong—and sometimes, we even pay unfairly for what others have done. If you’re facing criminal charges in Victorville, California, it’s important to know what’s at stake, especially if your charges carry serious penalties for conviction.

Given Victorville’s above-average crime rates, law enforcement and prosecutors are motivated to crack down on crime. Sometimes, that means the wrong person gets arrested. Sometimes, it means prosecutors want to make an example. You’re “guaranteed” a fair trial under the Constitution, but when prosecutors have an arsenal of evidence at their disposal after investigating your case—evidence that they will use against you in court without mercy or limit—it can feel like it’s anything but fair. That’s why you need the best Victorville criminal defense attorney in your corner, someone who can stand with you and make sure the scales of justice are balanced.

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has more than 50 years of combined experience defending criminal cases in the California and federal court systems, including cases in Victorville. Our team of attorneys includes former prosecutors and judges—people who know by experience how the prosecution thinks and what their tactics are—and we are passionate about protecting our clients’ rights and making sure they get the fair treatment they deserve. You can feel confident knowing there’s someone at your side fighting every step of the way to protect you from unfair charges brought against you by an aggressive prosecution team intent on seeing you put away.

Local Victorville Resources

Victorville Police Department
14200 Amargosa Road
Victorville, California 92392
(760) 241-2911

Superior Court of California, Victorville District
14455 Civic Dr.
Victorville, CA 92392
(760) 245-6215

First Step Recovery Center
12402 Industrial Blvd B6
Victorville, CA 92395
(760) 780-1237

Crime Rates and Criminal Charges in Victorville, CA

From the standpoint of crime, Victorville is something of a paradox. Many neighborhoods are fairly safe, particularly on the southwest side of the city. Victorville has even made some Top 100 lists as one of the best places to live and “a great place to raise kids.” However, while the overall crime rate is only slightly higher than the national average, the rate of violent crime in some parts of the city is more than twice the national average. In these areas, you might have a 1 in 6 chance of being a victim of a crime—and because law enforcement is trying to be more vigilant, you also have an elevated chance of being arrested in these areas. Some of the more common criminal charges filed here include the following.

Assault:
From simple assault (e.g., hands or fist) to assault with a deadly weapon, assaults are recorded in Victorville at a rate more than twice the state average. You can be charged with simple assault in California merely by attempting to hit someone, but if injury occurs or weapons are involved, you could be facing serious felony charges.

Burglary:
Burglaries (i.e., break-ins) occur in Victorville about 25 percent more often than they do in the state as a whole. Break-ins at non-residential buildings may be either misdemeanors or felonies, but if you’re accused of burglarizing a residence, it’s always a felony charge. As with assault, prosecutors can charge you with burglary simply for attempting to break and enter, even if nothing is taken.

Vehicle Theft:
Vehicle thefts occur in Victorville at a rate of more than twice the national average. Any vehicle theft valued at over $950 is considered Grand Theft Auto, a felony. Since most cars are valued at more than $950, if you’re accused of stealing a car, you’re likely facing felony charges.

Fraud:
The act of fraud is to deceive or manipulate people to get something from them (usually money). In Victorville, most instances of fraud involve “false pretenses”—that is, basic con games where normal citizens are the victims. Fraud is charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the amount taken.

Drug Charges:
The national opioid crisis has deeply affected Victorville, as with other places in the Inland Empire. As a result, drug-related arrests are quite common in town, ranging from simple possession to intent to distribute.

Robbery:
Robberies are more than twice as common in Victorville as they are elsewhere. A robbery is defined as taking someone’s property against their will, frequently through force or fear. If you’re accused of robbery, you’re likely facing serious felony charges.

Common Defense Strategies for Criminal Charges in Victorville

In our view, there’s no such thing as an “open and shut case.” Even if the evidence against you appears overwhelming, every case has unique circumstances that must be considered for the outcome to be fair. Our team of attorneys is highly skilled in investigating and identifying the unique circumstances of your case, and we are dedicated to making sure those circumstances are taken into account before a verdict is issued and the sentence is pronounced. Depending on the individual details of each case, some of the more common defense strategies we’ve successfully implemented include:

• Motion to dismiss. If we can demonstrate the prosecution has insufficient evidence against you, we can often convince a judge to dismiss the charges—or convince the prosecutors to drop some or all of the charges—before the case makes it to trial.
• Mistaken identity. When the accuser is the only witness to the crime, it’s often easier to demonstrate reasonable doubt. Many of our clients have been acquitted or had charges dismissed because we were able to show that the eyewitness made a mistake when identifying them as the perpetrator.
• Failure to follow proper procedures during investigation or arrest. Law enforcement officers are required to follow certain procedures that protect your rights. If they fail to do so, it can be grounds for a dismissal of the charges.
• Self-defense. In many cases where someone has been assaulted, their instinct is to fight back rather than escape from their assailant. If you acted in self-defense, it’s possible to defend your charges on those grounds.
• Extenuating circumstances. Sometimes extraordinary situations cause us to take actions we wouldn’t normally take. For example, you might have left the scene of an accident because the other driver was threatening you with physical violence, or you were driving under the influence of alcohol because your designated driver collapsed behind the wheel. These situations can often be used to negotiate for dismissal or reduction of the charges.
• Arguing for diversion or alternative sentence. If you’re facing prison time but have no previous criminal record, we might be able to demonstrate that the judge should exercise their discretion to hand down a different sentence than what would otherwise be applied. For example, you might qualify for a diversionary program that allows you to have the charges dismissed once you complete certain requirements.
• Plea bargains. If the prosecution has enough solid evidence to make a conviction likely, your attorney may be able to negotiate a plea bargain in which you plead guilty to a lesser crime in return for a more lenient penalty. A good Victorville criminal defense attorney can advise you whether the terms of a plea agreement offer are in your best interests, as well as negotiate for the best possible terms.

Get Help Today from an Experienced Victorville Criminal Defense Attorney

If you try to face your Victorville criminal charges either independently or with an inexperienced attorney, your chances for a severe penalty go up considerably. The system is unfortunately designed to convince you to say and do things to forfeit your rights as a defendant. Without a staunch ally in your corner, things could go very badly.

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we are fiercely committed to protecting the rights of the accused. Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

• We’ll make sure you understand the charges against you, what is at stake, and your options for fighting the charges.
• We’ll answer all your questions and return all your calls.
• We’ll investigate the case thoroughly to see what happened so we can create an effective defense.
• We’ll find the weaknesses and flaws in the prosecution’s arguments so we can refute them effectively.
• We’ll give you the best possible advice on how to achieve the most positive outcome for your case, whether it’s to accept a plea bargain, enter a diversionary program, or fight it out at trial.
• We’ll use skillful negotiation to try and resolve your case out of court and defend you aggressively at trial, if necessary.

Attorney David S. Chesley and his team have an excellent track record of success in defending those accused of crimes in Victorville, with many of our cases resulting in no jail time for our clients. Don’t risk your future if you’re charged with a crime. To schedule a free consultation with one of Victorville’s best criminal defense attorneys, call us today at (760) 849-1123.