Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Barbara, CA. Everyone in Santa Barbara, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law that you weren't aware of. Maybe you're a victim of mistaken identity, or you made a choice you realize was wrong now. Or maybe a family member is running out of time to get help, and you're finding yourself needing a Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Regardless of the circumstances, 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 boast a proven track record of success. Get ahold of us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free consultation on your case.
Why You Need a Santa Barbara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Delaying hiring an attorney can have serious consequences. While you're waiting, the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. California can be very tough on crime, and allowing the state to get a head start could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Even worse, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more likely you are to accidentally give the state evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be unintentionally setting a trap for yourself.
Contacting a Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyer early not only protects your rights, it could also stop the prosecution's case before it even reaches court. fighting for your freedom early, challenging evidence, and leveraging their relationship with the prosecutor, 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 will start working on your defense right away.
How Our Santa Barbara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
We believe that criminal defense lawyers have an obligation not only to represent you in court, but to get to know your case from your perspective. Because we have a client-centered focus, we both build a defense based around your situation and understand the impact we have on your life.
We assist 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 making use of motions to suppress evidence, consulting subject matter experts, and challenging 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 establish reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, they're more likely to offer a plea deal with reduced charges.
- 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'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't let your record follow you into the future.
Santa Barbara, 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 always ready to help, regardless of what you're facing. 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. It could be a DUI, refusing to test, or a hit and run. Traffic charges we commonly defend in Santa Barbara, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in Santa Barbara, 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. Here are some of the violent offense charges we can defend you against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Resisting Arrest
- Rioting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Barbara, 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. Here are some of the most common charges and substances we build defenses for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
Santa Barbara, 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 can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. Some common sex crime charges we defend against are:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Santa Barbara, CA. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a Santa Barbara, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. These are some of the murder charges that we can help you defend against:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
What To Look For in Your Santa Barbara, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers are plentiful in Santa Barbara, CA, but not every firm is equipped for the job. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. Here are the main criteria to use when evaluating potential defense attorneys:
- Experience – both as defense attorneys and for the state.
- 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 – both from previous clients and their peers.
- 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 Santa Barbara, 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 always looking for ways to improve your defense, and are with you throughout the legal process, petrifying the state and persuading the jury.
As soon as you call our Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyers, get started on building your defense. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Learn Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Early Dismissal – Whether at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, without excessive bail.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal which works best for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll tear apart the prosecution's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – After the trial, if needed, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the verdict to reclaim your freedom.
Why Choose Our Santa Barbara, 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 ins and outs of how prosecutors build a case against you, and we counter it with our compelling defensive 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, one of our expert criminal defense attorneys will be ready with a stalwart defense.
We're well-kown and well-regarded by 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 any time of day if you need an update on your case or something happened and you need urgent help.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It
If you're facing criminal charges in Santa Barbara, CA, you have to have an airtight plan for your defense. You need an attorney who's experienced with criminal defense. You'll get a top defense and expert representation at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
It doesn't matter what you're facing, our firm is up to the task. Get in touch as soon as possible – 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 defending your freedom right away.
We also provide the following legal services in Santa Barbara, CA:
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