Burbank

Firm-published Burbank location

Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.

3500 West Olive Ave, Suite 300
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 459-3883

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Burbank Criminal Defense Attorney Page

Have You Been Charged with a Crime in Burbank?

If you or a loved one are being investigated for a crime, or you've already been charged, there's no time to waste: Hire an experienced Burbank criminal defense attorney today.

Local Burbank Resources

Burbank Police Department
200 N 3rd St
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 238-3000

Burbank City Hall
275 E Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 238-5851

Burbank Courthouse
300 E Olive Ave
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 260-8498

Miracles in Action Addiction Treatment Center
290 E Verdugo Ave #105
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 210-3954

Driving Under the Influence, Public Intoxication, and Related Offenses in Burbank

The City of Burbank includes enforcement of "driving under the influence" (DUI) as one of its highest priorities for the city's police force, with regular DUI checkpoints and other efforts. The Burbank police force is also aggressive in related charges such as public intoxication.

Don’t delay. It's important to act quickly after you've been arrested for a DUI. For example, if you file a request for a hearing within 10 days of your arrest, you can challenge your driver's license suspension. However, if you fail to request that hearing, your license will be automatically suspended. And that automatic suspension is in addition to any suspension you might receive following a DUI conviction.

DUI penalties. California DUI convictions carry severe penalties, including fines, community service, probation, and prison. DUI convictions also may require you to participate in alcohol programs, install an ignition lock device in your car, or pay restitution to victims of an alcohol-related crash.

Drunk in public. Burbank police have also been charging people with "public intoxication," which is a sort of legal catchall for alcohol-related public behavior. While this seems like it might be a comparatively minor charge, its penalties are no joke: You can still be sentenced to up to six months in county jail and have to pay fines.

Car Theft Crimes

Burbank Police are increasingly concerned about the rising number of car thefts, injury-related collisions, and other vehicle code violations occurring within the Burbank area. However, it's important to understand how California law distinguishes between different car-theft related crimes—because they're not all the same.

Carjacking. California law defines carjacking as taking a car from someone in current possession of the car by force or fear. A carjacking is a felony crime with a possible prison sentence of three to nine years.

Joyriding. If you've been accused of stealing a car (without the owner being present), then you may face a charge of either joyriding or theft of a car. For a joyriding charge, the prosecutor must prove that you took the car and intended to keep it permanently or temporarily. A theft conviction requires a higher bar for conviction: The prosecutor must prove that you intended to permanently deprive the owner of the car.

Grand theft auto. And what transforms a car theft into "grand theft auto" is not about how you were alleged to have stolen the car; instead it relates to the car's value. If someone steals a car worth less than $950, then it is considered "petty theft," while stealing a car worth more than $950 is "grand theft auto."

Choosing a defense attorney is important in defending a car theft case because both joyriding and auto theft cases can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony—which can mean a much longer prison term. Prior convictions and other factors can also result in enhanced penalties which would substantially increase a prison term.

Additionally, Burbank has seen a rise of thefts from cars—breaking into a car to steal money or valuable item (e.g., a laptop). While California law considers theft from a car to be a form of burglary, similar to breaking into a home or place of business, these thefts, too, are known as "wobbler crimes." To describe a crime as a wobbler means that it is up to a prosecutor to decide whether the crime should be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.

Hiring an expert criminal defense attorney can make a crucial difference in wobbler cases. By providing evidence and legal argument, a defense attorney may be able to sway a prosecutor on how to charge you with the alleged crime. That decision will impact the possible punishments you could face and affect what evidence is needed for a conviction.

Types of Burbank Criminal Cases Mr. Chesley Defends:

  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Public intoxication
  • Burglary
  • Robbery
  • Grand Theft Auto, Car Theft and Theft from a Vehicle
  • Forgery and passing of counterfeit currency
  • Shoplifting
  • Narcotics Possession and Distribution
  • Domestic Violence and Related Restraining Orders
  • Property crimes (e.g., vandalism)
  • White-Collar Crimes
  • Murder
  • Rape, Sexual Assault, and Aggravated Assault

Why You Should Choose the Law Office of David Chesley:

Whether you face a petty theft or a major crime, you need the best criminal defense attorney.

National media have also featured Mr. Chesley's firm, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, FOX News, CNN, NBC News, and more.

Mr. Chesley and his team are available to you, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, for a free consultation and case evaluation. Contact them today at (818) 459-3883.