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Criminal Defense Lawyer San Diego, CA

Criminal defense lawyers in San Diego, CA. Everyone in San Diego, 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 a family member is running out of time to get help, and you have to find a San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you find a way forward.

No matter what charges you're up against, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases.. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a free, confidential consultation.

Why You Need a San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW

If you don't hire an attorney right away in the legal process, the consequences can be dire. While you're hesitating, the investigators are putting together a case against you. California can be very tough on crime, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference in a guilty verdict and person time versus the charges being dropped, or receiving probation.

On top of that, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to unconsciously give the prosecution evidence against you. Speaking to the police without a lawyer, not taking the charges seriously, or calling your friends and family could all be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.

Calling a San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyer early is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.

If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time – call us now. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're ready 24/7 for your call and can start helping you craft your defense as soon as you call.

How Our San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You

Everyone has a right to be treated like a person, and we want to fulfill that right while defend you. Because we start with your story, we both build a defense based around your situation and understand the impact we have on your life.

Our lawyers help you by:

  • Learning about your case from all angles – we examine the prosecution's case, conduct our own research, and listen to you in order to get the full story.
  • Create a rock-solid defense using motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
  • Stand by you in court should the case reach trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, display the flaws in the state's case, and show reasonable doubt.
  • Negotiate with the state for plea deals. When the prosecution knows that you have a strong defense, they're more likely to drop or reduce charges in your case.
  • Advocate for lesser sentences both during plea negotiations and after the trial. We'll show why you're deserving of probation or a shorter sentence.
  • Helping you clear your record after a court case. We can aid you with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.

San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of criminal defense case types, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in San Diego, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys can help you defend against:

Traffic Charges

If you're facing traffic charges, it could be from one of a variety of alleged actions while on the road. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. In San Diego, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:

Violent Offense Charges

Violent crime charges cover a wide range of alleged offenses, and all of them are serious. Sometimes, you don't even have to do something violent; making threats or just wrongfully carrying a firearm could end up with you facing charges. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:

Drug Charges

Drug charges in San Diego, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. There is a wide variety of substances for which you can face charges for having. We defend against charges related to the following substances and alleged actions:

Theft Charges

San Diego, CA, theft charges vary greatly depending on the alleged act. The ones that involve the use of force, like robbery, tend to face more serious consequences. We provide defense for all of the below theft charges, in addition to others:

Sex Crime Charges

Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. Some, like prostitution, are vice crimes, while others, like rape, are forecful. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:

Murder Charges

Few charges in San Diego, CA, are as grave as murder. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need an expert San Diego, CA, criminal defense attorney in your corner. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:

Contact our lawyers with any criminal charges and we'll start creating your defense strategy today.

What To Look For in Your San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in San Diego, CA, but deciding on the right one can make all the difference in your case. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:

  • Experience – and knowledge of how cases are both defended and prosecuted.
  • Relationships With Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
  • Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
  • Good Reputation – seen in reviews and accolades.
  • Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
  • Transparent Costs – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.

How We Fight in the San Diego, 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. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and convincing the jury.

The minute you call our San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyers, get started on building your defense. When we get started on your major criminal defense case, this is the general process we go through:

  1. Learn Your Case – We listen to you and do our own research to craft a strong defense.
  2. Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
  3. Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we explain why you should be released before the trial, without excessive bail.
  4. Act as Your Intermediary With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal which works best for you.
  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 – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.

Why Choose Our San Diego, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:

When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we can take advantages of the weaknesses we know are in their strategies.

Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get a plea deal that secures your interests, and can avoid a trial in most cases. But if your case does reach a jury, you'll have a persuasive attorney armed with a powerful defense.

We're top-rated by both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. Our rates are affordable, and our phones are available any day and any time if you have any questions or you need to speak with someone right away.

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

Whatever San Diego, CA, charges you're facing, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You have to have an expert criminal defense attorney at your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help.

For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Reach out right away – 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 the minute we get in touch.

We also provide the following legal services in San Diego, 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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