Criminal Defense and DUI Lawyers & Attorneys Ventura, CA

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Ventura

Our Ventura Office is located at:

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

1500 Palma Drive, Suite 200
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 322-3212

Ventura Criminal Defense Attorney

San Buenaventura is the county seat of Ventura County, California. Known by its shortened name, Ventura, the city has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its coastal site, hills, and rivers give the city abundant natural resources that generations of residents have put to good use. Today Ventura is part of an expansive metropolitan area that includes Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. Its population increased by about 5500 residents between the 2000 and 2010 census. This local economy is supported by several large companies, including the popular outdoor gear brand Patagonia. The county government, hospitals, and local colleges also provide many employment opportunities across a variety of industries.

If you gave been arrested in the Ventura area, you should call a Ventura criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. At the Law Offices of David Chesley, we offer completely free, no-obligation consultations. Call us today to schedule yours.

Here are some local resources that you might find helpful while in the Ventura area:
Ventura Police Department
1425 Dowell Drive
Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: (805) 339-4400

Ventura City Hall
501 Poli Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Phone: (805) 654-7800

Ventura County Library
E.P. Foster Branch
651 E Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Phone: (805) 648-2716

Local Attractions in Ventura
Ventura Pier Beach
450 E Harbor Blvd
Ventura, CA 93001

Olivas Adobe Historic Park
4200 Olivas Park Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
Telephone: 805-658-4726

Sky Zone Trampoline Park
2825 Johnson Drive
Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: (805) 804-9555

Crime in Ventura
According to Neighborhood Scout, Ventura is in the 87th percentile of safe U.S. cities, meaning that only 13 percent of American cities rank higher in crime rates. While this might seem high, it is comparable to some of the other surrounding communities in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Residents should take sensible precautions, such as installing alarm systems in their homes and vehicles. It is also helpful to compare crime rates in different areas within Ventura. Neighborhood Scout ranks the ten safest neighborhoods in Ventura:

Ventura Courthouses

Ventura County Superior Court

Main Number 805-289-8900
Appeals 805-289-8527
Civil 805-289-8525
Collections 805-639-5010
Criminal/Traffic 805-289-8545
Family Law 805-289-8610
Jury Service 805-289-8661
Juvenile 805-289-8820
Records 805-289-8668
Small Claims 805-289-8526

Ventura – Hall of Justice
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, California 93009

Oxnard – Juvenile Courthouse
4353 E. Vineyard Avenue
Oxnard, California 93036

Simi Valley – East County Courthouse
3855-F Alamo Street
Simi Valley, California 93063

The experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley have appeared in courts throughout Ventura County. We work with the prosecutors and judges, and we know how to negotiate a fair resolution to any criminal case. We also know how to present a persuasive case at trial to any Ventura County jury.

Your Right to Counsel During Criminal Case Proceedings
Most criminal defendants are aware that the Constitution provides them with the right to counsel. Thanks to the famous Miranda warnings, most defendants are also aware that an attorney can be appointed to them if they cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. But there is a lot more to the right to counsel than these simple facts. Defendants who do not understand the right to counsel could accidentally waive their right to an attorney or say something that incriminates them before they ever meet a lawyer. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that defendants understand how the right to counsel works. The sooner you invoke this right, the better protected your constitutional rights will be.

When a Lawyer Must Be Provided to You
The right to counsel only “attaches” at specific phases of criminal court proceedings. In 1977, the Supreme Court held that defendants have the right to counsel “at or after the time that judicial proceedings have been initiated against them, whether by formal charge, preliminary hearing, indictment, information, or arraignment.” The government usually signals this step by filing a complaint or indictment against the defendant. When the defendant next appears in court, they have the right to hire an attorney to appear in court. You can also request that the court assign a lawyer to you if you cannot afford to hire one yourself.

The right to counsel does not apply to every possible criminal offense. Defendants have the right to counsel any time the prosecution is seeking a term of jail or imprisonment. (If the prosecution is seeking a suspended jail sentence, this also triggers the right to counsel because suspended sentences can be revoked, and the defendant would still face jail time.) All felonies and many misdemeanors cannot be prosecuted unless the defendant either has an attorney or has voluntarily waived the right to counsel. But certain misdemeanors can be prosecuted without exposing the defendant to the risk of incarceration. If, for example, a prosecutor wants to seek a small fine for a misdemeanor trespassing charge, the defendant does not have the right to counsel. The defendant still has the right to hire their own attorney for the case. The court will not, however, be obligated to provide an attorney if the defendant cannot afford to hire one. The key factor is the potential risk a defendant faces if they are convicted of the charged offenses. If there is any possibility of incarceration, whether in jail, prison, or on a suspended sentence, the defendant must be provided the right to counsel. If they are not, the conviction can be overturned on appeal.

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation with a Ventura Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley serves clients throughout Ventura and the surrounding areas. Our skilled lawyers have experience handling all types of criminal cases, and they fight hard to defend your constitutional rights. We have years of experience handling California criminal cases. Whether you are facing misdemeanor charges, serious felonies, or have questions about the appeal and other forms of post-conviction relief, the Ventura defense lawyers at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here to fight for your rights. Call our Ventura offices at (805) 248-7408 or contact us online today to schedule your case review.

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.