West Covina Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Our West Covina Office is located at:

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

West Covina Criminal Defense Lawyer

West Covina has a long history in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. It was one of the first cities in the L.A. area to be incorporated all the way back in 1923. Though it was largely an agricultural area in its early years, the city saw massive growth after World War II. Its population was over a hundred thousand as of the 2010 census. West Covina has a diverse population of all ages and many nationalities.

If you have been accused of a crime in West Covina, it’s vital to contact a lawyer immediately. The experienced West Covina criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of David Chesley have what it takes to protect your rights and your reputation. Call us today to schedule your free case evaluation.

Here are some links to helpful local resources:

West Covina Police Department
1444 W. Garvey Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
Telephone: (626) 939-8500

West Covina City Hall
1444 W Garvey Ave South
West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 939-8400

West Covina Library
1601 W. West Covina Parkway
West Covina, CA 91790
Telephone: (626) 962-3541

Attractions
Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area
15501 Arrow Highway
Irwindale, CA 91706
Telephone: (626) 334-1065

Cortez Park Community and Senior Center
2441 E Cortez Street
West Covina, CA 91791
Telephone: (626) 939-8430
The Original In-N-Out Burger Museum
13766 Francisquito Avenue
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Telephone: (800) 786-1000

Crime in West Covina
The West Covina Police Department provides crime statistics on its websites. This raw data is difficult to interpret on its own. Neighborhood Scout provides a helpful analysis of the crime rate in West Covina. The site ranks West Covina in the 80th percentile, meaning that only 20 percent of cities in the United States experience more crimes. Though its rate is high, West Covina has a slightly better rating when it comes to violent crimes. The city has an average of just 2.49 violent crimes per thousand residents, which is significantly lower than the state average of 4.41 and the national average of 4 crimes per thousand residents.

Courthouses
West Covina Courthouse
Los Angeles Superior Court
1427 West Covina Parkway
West Covina, CA 91790
Telephone: (626) 430-2600

Everything You Need to Know About Plea Deals
The majority of criminal cases across the United States are resolved through plea agreements. Plea agreements are an important tool that can protect a defendant from risks at trial. But before you consider a plea deal, you must understand what it is, how it works, and how it will affect your legal rights.

What Is a Plea Deal?
A plea deal is a negotiated agreement that resolves a criminal case. In a plea agreement, a defendant agrees to plead guilty, and in exchange, the prosecutor agrees to lesser charges than were originally filed against the defendant. (The prosecutor can accomplish this by dropping lesser charges or agreeing to let the defendant plead guilty to a different charge that carries a lower penalty. A prosecutor may also agree to recommend a certain lower sentence to the judge.) Once the parties enter into a plea agreement, it is submitted to the court, and the judge must approve this agreement. Part of this process involves the judge asking you if you understand the consequences of the plea deal and the legal rights you are giving up.

Unless you are facing only a misdemeanor charge with a short potential jail sentence, you have the right to a jury trial. A jury of your peers determines the facts of a case while the judge makes rulings on the law (such as what evidence is admissible). When you make a plea deal, you give up the right to a jury trial and agree that there is enough evidence to convict you of the crime(s). The offense will then go on your criminal record. You should be sure you understand exactly what will happen as a result of a plea deal before you sign any written agreements.

How Is a Plea Deal Negotiated?
Plea deals are made during negotiations between prosecutors and defense attorneys. Each attorney will have their own ideas about what a “fair” plea deal should be in a particular case. For example, a prosecutor might feel it is very important for a defendant to plead guilty to a felony on a gun offense in order to ensure that they cannot lawfully own a gun after pleading guilty. The defense attorney might have the exact opposite goal. If the defendant can plead guilty to a misdemeanor, they may still lawfully own firearms after pleading guilty (unless it is a domestic violence offense). In this case, the prosecutor and defense lawyer might not be able to agree on whether the plea agreement should include a misdemeanor charge or a felony offense.

So how does this work in your particular case? It is important to be very clear on your goals. Are you concerned about your criminal record? Are you trying to maintain a professional license? Do you simply need the shortest prison term possible? Once you identify your goals, your attorney will be better able to negotiate a plea deal that is tailored to your priorities. It is usually not possible to get everything you want in a plea agreement. But if you are able to prioritize your goals, the prosecutor is often willing to work on those specific goals.

Should I Accept a Plea Deal?
Every plea deal must be considered under a cost-benefit analysis. The reason defendants accept plea deals is so that they will not face the risk of getting a more serious conviction (or longer sentence) at trial. If the plea deal is not much better than the worst possible outcome at trial, it could be worth the risk to take your case to a jury and let your peers decide what really happened. Plea deals are different in every case. You must weigh your particular risk at trial under your unique circumstances. An experienced defense lawyer can give you a good idea of what risks you face at trial. Ultimately, though, the decision to accept or reject a plea deal is yours alone to make.

Experienced, Aggressive West Covina Criminal Defense Lawyers

You don’t have to spend hours online searching for “criminal defense lawyers near me.” The Law Offices of David S. Chesley serve West Covina and the surrounding areas. For years, clients have trusted our skilled legal team to protect their constitutional rights throughout the criminal case process. We will fight hard for you, too. Call our West Covina offices at (213) 341-4427 or contact us online today to schedule your case review.