Criminal Defense and DUI Lawyers & Attorneys Van Nuys, CA

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Van Nuys – Covello St

Our Van Nuys Covello St Office is located at:

Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Van Nuys Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

1414 Covello Street, Suite 8B
Van Nuys, CA 91405
(818) 538-5881

Van Nuys Criminal Defense Attorney

Do you need a criminal defense lawyer in Van Nuys?

You’d be forgiven if you’ve driven down Victory Boulevard a million times as you headed towards the 405 and never noticed a tan-colored two-story building. After all, there’s no sign advertising the business as pass by. But tucked away in that small, unassuming building is one of the very best criminal defense firms in the country—the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. Mr. Chesley and his team of defense attorneys and investigators are fighting tirelessly for their clients. Clients just like you.

They chose the location because they wanted their office—close to the Van Nuys Courthouse West and the local police station—to be convenient for you. Dealing with a criminal arrest is hard enough, and the last thing you need to worry about is having the entities relevant to your case located in different corners of town.

Van Nuys Local Resources

Van Nuys Community Police Station
Los Angeles Police Department
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
818-374-9500 (Voice)
855-736-3235 (TDD/TTY)

Van Nuys East Courthouse
6230 Sylmar Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 901-4600
(For civil cases, family law, and small claims)

Van Nuys West Courthouse
14400 Erwin Street Mall
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 989-6900
(For criminal cases and traffic court)

Valley Presbyterian Hospital
15107 Vanowen Street
Van Nuys, CA 91405
818-782-6600

National Council on Alcoholism and
Drug Dependence of the San Fernando Valley
6166 Vesper Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91411
818-997-0414

Why You Need to Hire a Van Nuys Criminal Defense Attorney

You should have a private criminal defense lawyer to represent you in any criminal matter. While public defense lawyers typically have reputations as capable attorneys, their caseloads are too large for them to give your case the proper care and dedication that it deserves.

By the Fall of 2020, Los Angeles County public defenders who handle felonies were juggling approximately 50 cases at a time. Those responsible for clients charged with misdemeanors had as many as 300 clients. In a given work year, the best-case scenario would be that a LA public defender with 300 clients spends 6.9 hours on each case. That isn’t enough when your freedom is on the line, when you could be facing months in Twin Towers, thousands of dollars in fines, and more.

By contrast, private criminal defense attorneys are available to their clients 24/7. Depending on the case’s complexity, a private criminal defense lawyer may be working full-time on just one or two cases. And you may see multiple attorneys, investigators, and support staff works as a team for a single client.

That’s why you need to hire an attorney, but it is equally important that your attorney specializes in criminal defense.

The practice of criminal law is highly technical. You want someone who has mastered all the laws and procedures, but success in criminal law goes beyond law books. So, while you may have a great divorce lawyer, or your friend is an acclaimed corporate counsel, success for a case may depend on, for example, knowing which judges and prosecutors are more likely to suspend a DUI sentence if a client goes to rehab and which will not. The only way to know that is to do what David Chesley’s team does: spend a lot of time working in Van Nuys West Courthouse.

How Your Van Nuys Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You?

Understanding Your Case: A private criminal defense lawyer will want to meet you as soon as possible. They will want to understand the basic facts of the case and the status of your arrest. The first priority will be about the immediate concerns, i.e., preparing for arraignment and, if possible, helping you obtain bail. After that, they’ll begin to develop an overall legal strategy for your case.

Preparing Your Defense: An experienced criminal defense lawyer will want to have more in-depth conversations with you. They’ll interview witnesses, examine police records, and review evidence. They may bring in investigators or other experts to do additional research. At the same time, they’ll analyze relevant statutes and case law.

Engaging in Plea Bargaining: Depending on your case, “plea bargaining” may be an option to resolve it. During plea negotiations, you and your attorney may meet with the prosecutor to see if they would reduce the charges they’ve brought against you in exchange for your admitting to either a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (“no contest”). With a plea of “nolo,” you accept the punishment but do not admit responsibility for committing the crime.

Your lawyer can advise you as to when it’s worth it to accept a plea and when it’s better to fight. They can explain the consequences of accepting a plea, how this result could differ from an outcome at trial, and so on.

Preparation for Trial and Work at Trial: If you go forward with a trial, your attorney may draft motions to introduce or exclude evidence. They’ll argue other legal motions and memos, prepare witnesses who will testify in court, write opening and closing statements, prepare questions for the witnesses, select a jury, and much more.

Post-Trial: Even after a trial, the work of your attorney may not yet be finished. In the case of a conviction, you may consider an appeal. If you’re exonerated or have served your sentence, you may be eligible for an expungement, a court process to erase your arrest and conviction from your record.

David Chesley is Van Nuys’ Best Criminal Defense Attorney

The Van Nuys-based Law Offices of David Chesley has earned the descriptor of “one of the top criminal defense firms in the country.” Mr. Chesley and his team have favorable outcomes in 90% of their court cases. Mr. Chesley is a certified expert in DUI defense, and 95% of his DUI clients receive no jail time.

Here are a few of the honors Mr. Chesley has received:

National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100
American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA)’s Top 100 in the nation.
“A+” rating by the Better Business Bureau
“Preeminent” rating by Martindale Hubbell
“Superb” rating by Avvo
Member, California DUI Lawyers Association
Member, National College for DUI Defense

But what means the most to Mr. Chesley and his team is the recognition they’ve received from their clients: They have an Avvo “Five Star” Clients Choice Award. That’s what criminal defense work is all about. Helping the client, helping you.

Mr. Chesley and his team are available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a free consultation and case evaluation. Contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., at (818) 538-5881 or send us an email to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation.

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!

What our clients say Client Testimonials

I am truly pleased with my experience with the Law Offices Of David S Chesley. They answered all my questions and provided me with great advice and legal services. My case resolved quickly. Thank you!
Rodrigo L.

I left court yesterday with my last case being wrapped up. Two court appearances and that’s it. He represented me in a couple of different cases and was impressive to say the least. Always a phone call or text message away. Confident and aggressive when he needed to be. Calming and thorough when meeting with me. Attorney Chesley did exactly what he said he would and I got the results I needed. He seemed to know all the right people at the Temple Street courthouse. You can always get in contact with him quickly and he is a great lawyer. I highly recommend his legal services.
Ricardo Esteves

My brother was given a very caring attorney that was assigned to his case and we had very helpful case managers throughout the process. I strongly recommend David Chesley to anyone who is in trouble. I called in to get help on my brothers case and right away I liked their service. My brothers charges were eventually dismissed after the attorney got him into a program, now he could go on without the trouble of having anything on his record
Erica Geller

I retained Mr. Chesley and his firm and from the beginning they were extremely professional both in communicating the status of my case to me, explaining the situation as a whole, and just downright taking care of business. It was money well spent for a job well done. Thanks again to David and Melissa others that worked on my case. I recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal representation. Don’t just accept things the courts force on you, call this firm and protect yourself.
Elizabeth F.

I contacted Mr. Chesley and his firm because some unfortunate events had left me in a jam. Detectives were demanding I testify or be prosecuted for a crime I didn’t commit. (I wasn’t involved or even at the scene of the alleged crime when it supposedly took place.) Mr. Chesley explained to me that he had been through similar situations with his clients before and understood exactly what was going on. His response to what took place was nothing short of amazing. No matter how small my concern, Mr. Chesley addressed it in a timely manner. He advocated for what is right and empathized with me in dealing with the Court system. After meeting with the supervising D.A. and providing alibi evidence he was able to get me out the situation. I’m very grateful to have found him.
Leon Hanley

I hired David Chesley for my criminal defense in 2012. he was recommended to us for is success results and his low fees. David is very smart and his professional legal advice was honest & much appreciated during these stressful time. David’s knowledge, advice, and communication about what we were to expect was reassuring and beneficial to me. He charged me a reasonable flat rate and didn’t charge me any surprise fees. In my case David Chesley was able to negotiate with the prosecution attorney for the best result I could hope for. He had success at getting my criminal charges dismissed with the judges approval. You will not be disappointed if you hire The Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Britanny Givens

David is very professional, yet very casual. Although it is typically not easy to speak straight up with an attorney, he is very easy to talk to. He replied to my questions quickly and was available all hours. Not only did he get my case resolved with a dismissal, he went above and beyond and got me an expungement without me even requesting it. He never beats around the bush and tells you like it is. At the same time is willing to work overtime to get the results you request. I would use David’s services again in the future.
Andrew A.

very satisfied being a client with the Law Offices of David Chesley.. Negin represented both my husband and I and got both our cases dis issued… Negin was on top of our cases she really cares and did everything she said she would do!!! thanks a lot Negin
Rita K.

I don’t write many reviews, however this time I had to share my admiration and appreciation for this firm. Attorney Negin Akhavan is definitely a person you want representing you in any criminal legal battle. She is the clear definition of the frace “is not what you know, but who you know ” she is not only knowledgeable, she also has the relationships with the right people. I couldn’t be happier with the results she was able to provide.

Thank you Negin.
Gabriel V.

An old felony charge came up, so I hired David and his team in June, and he got me a release on my own cognition on a felony charge in July which has never happened to me, and got it dismissed in October. He was responsive when I called and always kept me updated. Got my case dismissed, was easy to work and handled everything for me. He did an excellent job. I highly recommend David Chesley for any criminal defense.
Jason Corona

They really helped me out in a timely manner. I had a drug charge from 16 years ago and they dealt with it quickly. I can’t recommend them enough. If you have a criminal charges check them out they are awesome.
Santiago L.