Criminal defense lawyers in Santa Monica, CA. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but like it or not, you might find yourself in need of a Santa Monica, CA, 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 your child called you from jail, and you need a Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
For any of these reasons, or more, 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. Reach out by phone at (800) 755-5174 or reach out to us online for a no obligation consulation.
Why You Need a Santa Monica, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're waiting, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California is often very tough on crime, and any advantage the state gets could make the difference in being found innocent and/or avoiding going to prison.
Plus, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more chances you have to inadvertently give the prosecution evidence you'd rather keep to yourself. 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 setting yourself up for a guilty verdict.
Calling a Santa Monica, 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.
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 24/7 for your call and will start working on your defense right away.
How Our Santa Monica, 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 start with your story, 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.
- Craft a fierce defence utilizing motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Stand by you in court if the case needs to go to trial. We protect you from a biased jury, display the flaws in the state's case, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- 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 get a fresh start after a court case. We help with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't allow your record to cause far-reaching damage.
Santa Monica, 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 equipped to defend against anything in Santa Monica, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens 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. Some of the most common Santa Monica, CA, traffic charges we defend are:
- 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 are always serious, regardless of which specific charge you're facing. 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. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Resisting Arrest
- Rioting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Santa Monica, 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 Monica, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. If you're up against a charge of a forceful theft, like robbery, the penalties are particularly dire. Below are some of our theft charge defense specialties:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes are socially and legally some of the most serious charges someone can face. They range from rape to prostitution to pornography charges. We defend those accused of the following sex crimes:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in Santa Monica, CA. The punishment is severe, even for unintentional or unsuccessful attempts, meaning that you need a secure defense strategy to protect your freedom. 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 if you're facing any of the above charges, or any other criminal charges in Santa Monica, CA.
What To Look For in Your Santa Monica, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but not every firm is equipped for the job. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is critical to getting the best outcome for 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 – to leverage in negotiations.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – experience working with the specific charge you're facing.
- Good Reputation – both for winning and treating their clients right.
- 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 – look for someone who can give you a free consult and cost estimate.
How We Fight in the Santa Monica, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
Our approach for every case is to build a staunch, powerful defense from day one. You can't just presume that the prosecution will fail; we're proactive and by your side throughout the legal process, scaring the state and persuading the jury.
When you call our Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. Here are some common steps we take for major criminal defense cases:
- Research Your Case – We want to know your case from the inside out, from your perspective and the prosecution's.
- 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.
- Champion Your Pretrial Freedom – At a bail hearing, we argue for your freedom while awaiting a trial, with minimal to no cash bonds.
- Communicate With the Prosecution – We'll look for a plea deal that gives you a positive outcome.
- 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.
- 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 Monica, 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 from personal experience how the state crafts its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
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. And if your case does end up going before a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We've received acclaim from both clients and experts. Whatever crime you're facing, our team of top California criminal defense attorneys can handle it.. We don't surprise you with fees, and our phones are available 24/7 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 Santa Monica, CA, charges you're facing, you need a strong defense strategy. You need an expert criminal defense lawyer. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
We bring experience and expertise to your case, and are ready to help you whenever you need us. Get in touch as soon as possible – while you're hesitating, the odds are stacking up against you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start defending your freedom now.
We also provide the following legal services in Santa Monica, CA:
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