San Pedro Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Our San Pedro Office is located at:

Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
San Pedro Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

222 W 6th St, Suite 400
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 815-2800

San Pedro Criminal Defense Attorney

Have you been charged with a crime in San Pedro?

Perhaps you got stopped for a DUI (“driving under the influence”) near the Harbor Freeway or were pulled over for erratic driving by the bridge. Or you got arrested for a brawl in a dive bar. Maybe the laptop in someone’s car was just too good to resist.

Suddenly, you were arrested, and your world’s come crashing to a halt as you figure out what to do next. It’s a challenging time. However, with the help of an experienced San Pedro criminal defense attorney, you can regain a sense of control over your life.

Local San Pedro Resources

Harbor Community Police Station
2175 John S Gibson Blvd
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 726-7700

Los Angeles Port Police
330 S Centre St
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 732-3500

17th JDC
303 W 3rd St
San Pedro, CA 90731
(985) 446-1381

House of Hope
Rehab Center
235 W 9th St
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 831-9411

Reasons people get arrested in San Pedro and what happens if you’re convicted
San Pedro is a fairly quiet community, but crime is more likely to occur in the more commercial areas—east of Gaffney St. Common crimes in the area include: assault, drug crimes, vandalism, theft, burglary, and robbery.

Assault:California law defines it as “an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury.” Note that the law only requires that you attempted to injure someone, not that you actually did, so you can be charged with assault for throwing a punch at someone in a bar, even if you missed.

Simple assault is a misdemeanor, usually punishable by either a fine of up to $1,000 or up to six months in prison, but penalties can increase if you’ve been charged with assaulting someone in the military or other public servants.

Aggravated assault covers using a deadly weapon, targeting a particularly vulnerable person, or causing serious injury. Aggravated assault can be either a misdemeanor or a felony—with a prison sentence of up to four years.

Drug Crimes: While California de-criminalized adult use of marijuana and medical marijuana, you can still be charged for possession of other drugs. “Possession for personal use” is usually a misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $1,000 and six months in jail. Felony charges are more likely depending on the amount and type of the drugs or if you have been convicted of a serious felony. Other factors also lead to a felony charge, such as possession near a school, with a firearm, or in connection to gang activity.

Vandalism: Vandalism is maliciously damaging, destroying, or defacing someone else’s property. If the damage is less than $400, it’s a misdemeanor crime, more than $400 in damage is a felony. As a misdemeanor, you may receive a fine of up to $1,000 and be required to compensate the victim. You may also receive probation (including suspension of your driver’s license) or jail for no more than a year. For felony vandalism, you can face up to $10,000 in fines, restitution, probation, and up to 10 years in prison.

Theft: Under California law, theft is knowingly taking someone else’s property with the intent to keep it permanently. This covers stealing someone’s property or refusing to return a borrowed item, but it also includes if you took someone’s property under false pretenses.

Petty theft—stealing something worth $950 or less—is a misdemeanor crime punishable by fines, restitution, and a possible jail sentence (of no more than six months).

Grand theft occurs if the stolen property is worth more than $950 or is other specific types of property (e.g., guns). Grand theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Felony grand theft can result in up to three years of imprisonment.

Burglary is theft while entering someone’s home, place of business, or vehicle to commit the theft. First-degree burglary—entering a home—is a felony with fines up to $10,000 and a sentence of up to six years in state prison. Second-degree burglary—of businesses or other buildings—can be either a misdemeanor or felony.

Robbery is violent theft with person-to-person contact and force. First-degree robbery is a felony with up to a $10,000 fine or six years in prison; second-degree robbery has a maximum prison term of five years.

What a competent San Pedro criminal defense attorney can do to help you
Once you’ve been charged, what options do you have? A good lawyer will analyze your case and recommend which strategy will be your best option, but here are basic approaches to consider.

1. Factual Exoneration: You can find evidence that proves you innocent of the crime because you didn’t do what you’re accused of doing. (E.g., a case of mistaken identity.)
2. Legal Defense: Here, you may admit you did what you’re accused of, but the law allowed you to act that way. For example, in the bar fight, you prove you acted in self-defense.
3. Plea Bargaining: You, your lawyer, and the prosecutor decide that there are certain charges that you will plead guilty to if other charges are dropped. This is important for those crimes that can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor. Plea bargaining may mean the prosecutor holds off on prosecuting your case if you don’t commit any crimes within a period of time, attend rehab, or do other required activities.

Why David Chesley is San Pedro’s Best Criminal Defense Attorney

The reason it’s important to understand the consequences of an arrest and potential charges is not to overwhelm you. It’s to understand the importance of taking action—getting a qualified lawyer to represent you—as soon as possible. And you don’t want just any lawyer. You want someone who knows the law, understands San Pedro—what it’s like to live there, and what the local police and prosecutors do. Most of all, you want someone who will understand you. You want someone who will answer all your questions, listen to your concerns, and help you every step of the way until you are once again back in control of your life.

That lawyer is David Chesley.

Mr. Chesley and his team of criminal defense lawyers have favorable outcomes in 90% of their court cases. With ratings of “Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell and “Superb” by Avvo, Mr. Chesley is one of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 and the American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA) ‘s Top 100 in the nation. The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys rated him as in the Top 10 in the Nation for Client Satisfaction. He has an Avvo “Five Star” Clients Choice Award and an “A+” rating by the Better Business Bureau.

Mr. Chesley and his team are available to you, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, for a free consultation and case evaluation. Call (310) 815-2800 or Contact them online today.