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

100 N Barranca St, Suite 700
West Covina, CA 91791
(626) 479-2274

West Covina Criminal Defense Attorneys

Do you or a loved one need a West Covina Criminal Defense Attorney?

No matter where you may have been arrested in West Covina, you need a criminal defense lawyer who specializes in defending clients just like you. Any decent attorney can tell you about the basic law that will apply in your case. However, you also need someone who understands your community. You need someone who knows how the West Covina police operate during a DUI traffic stop, how the patrol and detectives are trained and operate. You need someone who knows the local rules of the courthouses as well as the back of their hand. An attorney who understands the preferences of local judges and prosecutors so they can better craft a compelling argument or negotiate a better plea.

To really understand how important this local know-how is, let’s examine just one facet of criminal justice in West Covina—how the West Covina Police Department operates.

As we do so, you may likely see how West Covina’s approach to policing has already impacted your case.

Helpful City Resources:

West Covina Police Department
STATION INFO
1444 West Garvey Ave.
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 939-8500

West Covina Community Center
4015 S. Glendora Avenue F
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 918-2005

Aegis Treatment Center
1825 E. Thelborn Street
West Covina, CA 91791
(800) 782-1520

West Covina Police Department—Traditional Priorities with Unique Tactics

With a population of just over 110,000 residents packed within 16 square miles, the City of West Covina has its own police force. And while the size of the police department is small—at least by Los Angeles standards—crimes committed in West Covina are as serious as elsewhere in Los Angeles County. For example, West Covina has been the site of several homicides, shootings, and stabbings in recent years, and there have been large methamphetamine arrests.

West Covina’s police department has divisions typical for a smaller urban police force (e.g., patrol division, traffic enforcement, and SWAT), but the department has also been taking some unique approaches to staff and casework.

For example, like many departments throughout California, West Covina police have made driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement one of its priorities. In recent years, the department has participated in nationwide DUI enforcement campaigns and conducted checkpoints at locations with a history of DUI arrests. Then, it obtained a grant to increase patrols, train officers on field sobriety tests, and create “hot sheets” to identify DUI repeat offenders.

Like their counterparts in the Los Angeles Police Department, West Covina’s police detectives investigate all major cases, including:

• car thefts
• financial crimes
• burglaries
• homicide
• domestic violence
• robbery, and
• sex crimes

However, West Covina policing differs in some ways: LA patrol officers are promoted to the rank of detective and then may remain in as detective as they advance in their careers. But in West Covina, patrol officers leave the beat to serve as detectives for two or three years. Then, they return in uniform and return to patrol. This means that patrol officers you encounter on the street may have a better understanding of how to handle the evidence and allegations but investigating detectives may have less experience.

On the other hand, the department may make up for this issue with the investigative support detectives receive. Notably, West Covina has its own Forensics Unit for its major crimes; it does everything from processing evidence at a crime scene to analyzing DNA in the lab. This Forensics Unit works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, and other agencies. The Forensics Unit also provides services for police departments across the San Gabriel Valley, including:

• Alhambra
• Azusa
• Baldwin Park
• Diamond Bar
• El Monte
• Glendora
• Monrovia

Another unusual trait of West Covina’s police department is that it relies on a large contingent of volunteers to help do its work. These volunteers wear a modified police uniform as they go out—in fully-equipped, marked vehicles—to conduct house checks, serve subpoenas, issue parking citations, and do other nonhazardous tasks.

West Covina Police Adopt New Technologies—That Can Bring New Opportunities and New Concerns

West Covina is also setting itself apart by adopting new technological approaches to address crime.

For example, people can now dispute some small but commonly-issued citations—such as citations for graffiti, use of fireworks, or noise complaints—through the West Covina police department website. That seems convenient, but online convenience doesn’t change the fact that you should still consult with an attorney before making any on-the-record statement to the police. Even for something as minor as vandalism. Because the reality is that even vandalism can result in a felony charge with a long prison term.

And we haven’t yet seen the impact of what could be the department’s biggest change in years. That came in August 2021, when West Covina police began installing Flock Safety’s automated license plate reading (ALPR) cameras in areas around the city.

The Flock Safety cameras automatically search state and national databases for matches of license plates or vehicle descriptions to see if a car is stolen or was used in a felony. If there’s a match, the system automatically notifies West Covina police.

Flock Safety is still a startup at this point, but the ALRP system could expand rapidly since the purchase of the cameras isn’t limited to the police. Stores, shopping centers, even homeowner’s associations can buy into the program. According to public statements, the police have said the cameras only identify cars, not drivers, and therefore should reduce bias and racial profiling in vehicle stops; only time will tell if that’s the case.

But how accurate will the camera-recognition software be in recognizing the cars? Again, only time will tell.

It will be very important to track all these technologies’ use and accuracy.

Superior Court of Los Angeles – West Covina Courthouse

1427 West Covina Pkwy.
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 430-2600

Get an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney to Represent You in West Covina

We’ve just scratched the surface but, by now, the point should be clear: You need a criminal defense attorney who knows more than just the law. You need someone who knows West Covina police and courts. It matters.

Mr. Chesley and his skilled team are exactly the lawyers you need. They know all of the relevant laws, and they have detailed knowledge about West Covina police and courts that can make all the difference. They will listen to your story, research the charges, and work with you to develop a solid defense—a strategy that is best for you, one that will be the most successful for you in your community.

David Chesley is West Covina’s Best Criminal Defense Attorney

Mr. Chesley and his team have favorable outcomes in 90% of their court cases. Mr. Chesley has an Avvo “Five Star” Clients Choice Award and an “A+” rating by the Better Business Bureau. He also has ratings of “Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell and “Superb” by Avvo, and he is one of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 and the American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA)’s Top 100 in the nation.

Mr. Chesley and his team are available to you, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, for a free consultation and case evaluation. So don’t wait: Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley at (626) 479-2274 to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation.