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Criminal Defense Lawyer Santa Ana, CA

Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Ana, CA. Nobody in Santa Ana, CA, wants to be in a position where they need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe you know someone else actually did it, or you had one bad night that ended in a bad choice, not representative of the real you. Or maybe a loved one was arrested, and you're looking for a Santa Ana, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you understand what's going on.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is ready to stand by your side. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and boast a proven track record of success. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for a no obligation consulation.

Why You Need a Santa Ana, 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 police and prosecutors are setting you up for a guilty verdict. California has historically been very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference for your future freedom.

Plus, the longer you take to hire an attorney, the more chances you have to unintentionally give the prosecution evidence they can use 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 inadvertently setting a trap for yourself.

Reaching out to a Santa Ana, 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.

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 always ready for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.

How Our Santa Ana, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You

When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we listen to you first, we both build a defense based around your situation and know the difference we can make in your life.

We assist 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.
  • Build a strong defense using motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
  • Be at your side in court should the case reach trial. We select jurors that will treat you fairly, deftly cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses, and demonstrate 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 fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
  • Helping you start over after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record become a stain on your reputation.

Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, 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. Sometimes it's something simple, like driving without a license, but it can also include higher profile charges like DUIs or Hit and Runs. In Santa Ana, CA, we frequently defend traffic charges including:

Violent Offense Charges

Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Santa Ana, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another. These are some common violent offense charges that we can help you defend yourself from:

Drug Charges

Drug charges in Santa Ana, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:

Theft Charges

Santa Ana, CA, theft charges are some of the most variable charges, depending on the specifics of what the state alleges happened. 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

It's hard to thing of a charge in Santa Ana, CA that's as significant as murder. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a strong defense against these charges. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:

Contact our lawyers for any criminal defense charges and we'll let you know how we can help.

What To Look For in Your Santa Ana, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer

When deciding on a Santa Ana, CA, criminal defense lawyer, there are many choices available, but some stand out from the rest. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is quite possibly the biggest factor in how your case will turn out. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:

  • 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 – previously worked on cases with the same charges that 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 – don't get caught up in a contract you don't understand.

How We Fight in the Santa Ana, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:

Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. We don't believe in just sitting by and letting the prosecution make its case; we're always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, scaring the state and persuading the jury.

When you call our Santa Ana, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. 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 argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
  4. Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We have experience with crafting a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
  5. Defend You at Trial – With everything we've learned about your case up to this point, we'll scrutinize the state's case 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 Santa Ana, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have over 50 years of experience in the courtroom, as judges, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal defense attorneys. We know the ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we fight against them with their own playbook.

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. That said, if there is a trial in your case, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.

We have a strong 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. Our rates are affordable, and our phones are available at all times if you think of anything you need to ask us or there's an emergency.

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

Whatever Santa Ana, CA, charges you're facing, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need a leading criminal defense attorney to protect you. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.

Our team of expert criminal defense lawyers is ready for your case. Reach out right away – while you're waiting to hire an attorney, the prosecution is building a case against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense against these allegations.

We also provide the following legal services in Santa Ana, 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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