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Criminal Defense Lawyer Costa Mesa, CA

Criminal defense lawyers in Costa Mesa, CA. Everyone in Costa Mesa, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you unintentionally broke the law. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a bad decision you now regret. Or maybe someone you care about is in one of those situations, and you're searching for a Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you figure out your options.

Whatever you need help facing, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is help you find answers. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases.. Reach us now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a free consultation on your case.

Why You Need a Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW

Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're delaying, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California is known for being very tough on crime, and letting the prosecution get an advantage could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.

Even worse, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more chances you have to accidentally give the prosecution evidence against you. If you speak to the police on your own, underestimate the charges, or talk with friends and family about your case, you could be unintentionally making it harder on yourself.

Contacting a Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.

We know that arrests don't only happen during weekdays or business hours. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready at all times for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.

How Our Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You

We don't just represent you; we take the time to learn about what makes you and your case unique. Because we take the time to get to know you, we both craft a defense specific to you and know the difference we can make in your life.

Our lawyers help you by:

  • Learning about your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
  • Create a rock-solid defense using motions to suppress evidence, hiring expert analysts, and pushing back against the state's subpoenas.
  • Be at your side in court if the case needs to go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and create reasonable doubt.
  • Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, we can reduce the charges and sentence you're facing.
  • Advocate for lesser sentences if needed after the trial. We want to keep you out of prison, and will fight for probation or a shorter sentence.
  • Helping you start over after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.

Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley practices criminal defense for several case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in Costa Mesa, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in:

Traffic Charges

Anything you can be accused of while driving would be a traffic charge. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. In Costa Mesa, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:

Violent Offense Charges

Violent crime charges are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:

Drug Charges

Drug charges in Costa Mesa, CA, mostly come down to possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and/or trying to sell it. Even just holding a possession on California's controlled substance list. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:

Theft Charges

Costa Mesa, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:

Sex Crime Charges

Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forecful. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:

Murder Charges

Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Costa Mesa, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a powerful defense strategy to protect you. Here are some of our murder charge specialities:

Contact our lawyers if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Costa Mesa, CA.

What To Look For in Your Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer

When deciding on a Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but some stand out from the rest. Picking the right criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:

  • Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
  • Relationships With Local Courts – to make negotiating plea deals or dropped charges easier.
  • Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
  • Good Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
  • Responsiveness and Availability – situations can change outside of working hours, so you want to work with a firm that can pick up the phone any time you call.
  • Transparent Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.

How We Fight in the Costa Mesa, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:

As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and convincing the jury.

The minute you call our Costa Mesa, CA, criminal defense lawyers, start working on yoru case right away. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:

  1. Research Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
  2. Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, our goal is to get the charges against you dropped or dismissed early.
  3. Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
  4. Act as Your Intermediary With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that protects your interests.
  5. Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll break down the prosecution's argument at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
  6. Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – Depending on the outcome of the trial, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can file appeals to give you the justice you deserve.

Why Choose Our Costa Mesa, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., features a group of former prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers who have turned their talents to criminal defense. We have over five decades of courtroom experience. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we fight against them with their own playbook.

Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a favorable plea deal and avoid most trials entirely. But if your case does reach a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.

We have an esteemed reputation with both clients and experts. We handle all types of serious crimes, and have a large team of the best criminal defense attorneys in California. We're transparent in our pricing, and our phones are available at all times if you need an update on your case or you need to speak with someone right away.

Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It

Whatever Costa Mesa, CA, charges you're facing, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.

For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Call now – if you take too long to get started on your defense, you'll be fighing an uphill battle against the prosecution. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense today.

We also provide the following legal services in Costa Mesa, CA:

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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!

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