Payment PlansOur Orange Office is located at:
Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Orange Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 442-2601
Criminal Defense Lawyer Orange, CA
If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation for a crime in Orange, your future could depend on the next call you make. The California justice system is tough — and prosecutors in Orange are among the most relentless in the state. That’s why you need an Orange criminal defense lawyer who knows exactly how to fight back.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we’ve built our reputation on one thing: Winning for our clients. Our firm represents individuals in Orange and elsewhere in Orange County who are facing everything from DUI charges to serious felonies. We know what’s at stake — your freedom, your family, your career, your future — and we’ll do whatever it takes to protect them.
If you’re facing charges in the Orange area, call us right away at (714) 442-2601 or contact us online to get started.
Why Choose the Law Offices of David S. Chesley?
Hiring the right attorney in Orange can mean the difference between prison time and freedom. Our skilled team of attorneys has decades of experience defending clients throughout California, and we’ve earned a reputation for tough, strategic, and relentless advocacy.
When your freedom is at stake, you need more than just a lawyer. You need a fighter who refuses to back down. Here’s why thousands of clients have trusted David Chesley and his team to handle their criminal cases in Orange:
- Former Judges & Prosecutors on Your Side: We know how the other side thinks, and how to dismantle their arguments.
- Decades of Courtroom Experience: Our firm has represented clients in every courthouse in Orange and the surrounding areas, including Fullerton, Santa Ana, and Newport Beach.
- Proven Track Record: An award-winning law firm, recognized as the Best DUI & Criminal Defense the last 10 years and Clients’ Choice winners the last 15, we’ve helped numerous clients in Orange and across California avoid convictions, reduce charges, and walk free.
- 24/7 Availability: Arrests don’t just happen from 9 to 5. Our Orange criminal defense attorneys are available day or night to protect your rights.
- Aggressive Defense Tactics: We challenge every flaw in the prosecution’s case, from illegal searches to unreliable witnesses.
Criminal Cases We Defend in Orange
Our skilled defense team has successfully represented clients in every type of criminal matter in Orange and across California, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. No case is too big, too small, or too complex.
DUI Lawyer in Orange
Driving under the influence is one of the most common charges in Orange. We know how to challenge breathalyzer accuracy, field sobriety test results, and questionable police procedures to protect your record. Our firm defends:
- First-time DUI and repeat offenses
- Felony DUI
- License suspension hearings
- Hit-and-run and reckless driving cases
Domestic Violence Attorney Orange
Under California Penal Code §13700, domestic violence is defined through two key subsections that outline both what constitutes abuse and who qualifies as a protected relationship.
Section 13700(a) explains that abuse means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause physical harm, or placing another person in reasonable fear of imminent serious injury to themselves or someone else.
A few important points arise from this definition:
- Abuse doesn’t always require intent, reckless conduct that results in harm can still qualify.
- Actual injury isn’t necessary for charges; attempting to cause harm is enough.
- Threats alone can lead to a charge if they make someone reasonably fear for their safety.
Section 13700(b) defines domestic violence as abuse directed toward certain individuals, including a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, dating partner, fiancé, or someone with whom the accused shares a child.
Assault & Battery Attorney in Orange
Although assault and battery are often charged together, they are distinct criminal offenses under California law. A conviction for either — or both — can have serious, long-term consequences, including a permanent mark on your criminal record that may affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. Because California treats violent crimes harshly, both assault and battery carry severe penalties, including jail time, fines, and probation.
The key distinction between these two crimes lies in whether physical contact occurs:
- Assault involves an attempt or threat to inflict harm.
- Battery, on the other hand, involves the actual use of unlawful force or violence against another person.
In short, you can be charged with assault in Orange for trying to strike someone — and charged with battery if you succeed.
Drug Possession Attorney in Orange
Being charged with drug possession in Orange can have long-lasting effects on your life, even for a first-time offense. Under California Health and Safety Code §§11350–11377, possession of controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or prescription drugs without a valid prescription is a serious crime that can lead to fines, probation, or incarceration.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our knowledgeable Orange drug possession defense lawyers are skilled in challenging unlawful searches, police misconduct, and violations of your constitutional rights. We explore every possible option, including diversion programs, alternative sentencing, and case dismissals, to minimize the impact on your future. Whether your case involves a small amount of narcotics or a felony possession charge, our team will fight to protect your record, your rights, and your freedom.
Gun Possession Lawyer Orange
Facing a gun possession charge in Orange can lead to serious legal consequences under California’s strict firearm laws. Whether you’re accused of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, or having an unregistered or illegal firearm, prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our experienced gun possession defense attorneys understand the complexities of California’s firearm statutes and know how to challenge the prosecution’s evidence. We carefully examine every detail — from the legality of the stop and search to whether the weapon was truly in your possession — to identify grounds for dismissal or reduction. When your Second Amendment rights and your freedom are on the line, trust a skilled Orange criminal defense lawyer who knows how to fight — and win.
Sex Crimes Lawyer Orange
Sex crime allegations can destroy reputations instantly. We defend clients accused of the following charges, and others, with complete confidentiality and strategic precision:
- Indecent Exposure (California Penal Code §314): Willfully and lewdly exposing one’s genitals in a public place or an inhabited dwelling for sexual gratification.
- Oral Copulation (California Penal Code §287): The oral-genital act performed without consent.
- Forcible Penetration (California Penal Code §289): Unlawful/nonconsensual sexual penetration using force, violence, duress, menace, or fear.
- Sexual Battery (California Penal Code §243.4): Unlawful, nonconsensual touching of an intimate part of another person for sexual or abuse, while the victim is restrained.
- Statutory Rape (California Penal Code §261.5): Sexual intercourse with someone who is not your spouse and is under 18, regardless of consent.
- Rape (California Penal Code §261): Prohibits non-consensual sexual intercourse, including when a person is unable to consent due to a mental disorder, disability, or being under the influence of intoxicants. The act must be accomplished against the victim's will by means of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear.
Violent Crimes Lawyer in Orange
Under California Penal Code §667.5(c), the law lists 23 specific offenses classified as violent crimes. These include serious acts such as arson, assault, assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a peace officer, battery, child abuse, child endangerment, domestic violence, unlawful possession of weapons, false imprisonment, kidnapping, gang-related offenses, manslaughter, and homicide, among others.
Because violent crime cases are high-stakes and highly complex in Orange, it is never advisable to represent yourself or rely solely on an overburdened public defender. These cases demand the skill of an experienced Orange criminal defense attorney who understands how to challenge evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and present a compelling defense in court. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we dedicate the time, strategy, and resources necessary to build the strongest possible defense — because when your freedom is on the line, experience makes all the difference.
Orange ADW Lawyer
Assault with a deadly weapon (ADW) is a more serious form of assault. This offense occurs when someone attempts to inflict violent injury on another person under either of the following circumstances:
- The assault involves a deadly weapon, such as a firearm, knife, or other object capable of causing death or serious injury
- The assault is carried out using any instrument or force likely to cause great bodily injury, even if it isn’t typically considered a weapon.
That second category is key — it allows prosecutors to charge ADW even when no gun or knife was used. For example, if someone in a bar fight swings a broken bottle at another person’s neck, that could be prosecuted as assault with a deadly weapon, because the bottle was used in a way likely to cause serious harm.
Gang Crime Lawyer Orange
Facing a gang-related criminal charge in Orange is a serious matter that can lead to enhanced penalties under California’s tough gang laws. Prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively, using California Penal Code §186.22 (STEP Act) to add years — even decades — to a sentence. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our experienced gang crime defense attorneys know how to challenge these enhancements, expose weaknesses in police investigations, and protect your rights against unfair labeling or guilt by association.
Whether you’re accused of gang affiliation, conspiracy, assault, or other violent offenses, our legal team will fight to ensure your side of the story is heard and your future is protected. We’ve defended clients throughout the Orange area and across California with a track record of reduced charges, case dismissals, and acquittals. When the stakes are this high, you need a proven defense lawyer who won’t back down
.
Orange Homicide/Murder Attorney
Being accused of homicide or murder is one of the most serious criminal charges a person can face in California. These cases are complex, emotionally charged, and carry life-altering consequences — including the possibility of life in prison. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our experienced Orange murder defense attorneys bring decades of trial experience to the table, backed by a deep understanding of California’s homicide statutes and the tactics prosecutors use to secure convictions.
Robbery Attorney in Orange
We know that robbery cases in Orange often hinge on issues like mistaken identity, false accusations, unreliable witnesses, or unlawful police procedures. Our team conducts a thorough investigation into every detail of your case to challenge the prosecution’s narrative and fight for reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or full dismissal. When your freedom is at stake, trust a proven Orange criminal defense lawyer who will aggressively protect your rights from start to finish.
Being charged with robbery in Orange is an extremely serious matter. Under California Penal Code §211, robbery is considered a violent felony and a strike offense under the state’s Three Strikes Law — meaning a conviction can lead to years in state prison and long-term damage to your record.
Orange Burglary Attorney
Being accused of burglary in Orange can have devastating consequences. Under California Penal Code §459, burglary involves entering a structure — whether it’s a home, business, or vehicle — with the intent to commit theft or any felony inside. Depending on the circumstances, you could face either first-degree (residential) or second-degree (commercial) burglary charges, both carrying harsh penalties that may include state prison time, probation, and a permanent criminal record.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our experienced burglary defense attorneys in Orange know how to challenge the prosecution’s case from every angle. We analyze intent, entry, and evidence issues to uncover weaknesses that can lead to dismissals, charge reductions, or acquittals.
Rape Attorney Orange
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our Orange rape defense attorneys understand the intense scrutiny and emotional toll that come with these allegations, and we are committed to providing discreet, strategic, and aggressive representation at every stage of your case.
We thoroughly analyze every piece of evidence — including witness statements, forensic reports, and digital communications — to uncover inconsistencies and expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
What to Expect When You Hire Our Criminal Defense Attorneys in Orange
When you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you’re not just hiring a criminal defense lawyer — you’re getting a team of dedicated legal professionals who will fight relentlessly for your rights.
We don’t wait for opportunities, we create them. Here’s how our Orange criminal defense legal team works for you:
1. Free Consultation: Your First Step Toward Control
When you contact our Orange office, you’ll speak directly with a knowledgeable defense attorney — not a call center or intake clerk. We’ll take the time to listen to your side of the story, explain the charges you’re facing, and outline your legal options in plain English. This is your opportunity to get clarity, understand what’s ahead, and start building a plan with a team that’s fully invested in your defense.
You’ll leave the consultation knowing exactly what comes next — not confused or overwhelmed.
2. Thorough Investigation: Building a Case That Holds Up in Court
We don’t rely on police reports or the prosecution’s version of events. Our team conducts a meticulous, independent investigation into every aspect of your case.
Our goal is simple: to find the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case before they find yours. We leave no stone unturned because the smallest detail can be the key to a dismissal, reduction, or acquittal.
That means:
- Scrutinizing police procedures for errors or constitutional violations
- Reviewing body cam and surveillance footage
- Interviewing witnesses and uncovering inconsistencies in statements
- Consulting forensic, medical, or technical experts when needed
3. Aggressive Representation: Relentless Defense in and out of Court
Once we’ve built your defense strategy, we take the fight directly to the prosecution. Whether we’re negotiating for reduced charges, filing motions to suppress evidence, or arguing before a jury, we bring the full weight of our experience to every stage of your case.
We don’t just defend you — we advocate for you, challenging every assumption and forcing the prosecution to prove their claims beyond a reasonable doubt. Our attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers known for their commanding courtroom presence, sharp cross-examinations, and strategic negotiation skills.
When your freedom and reputation are at stake, we treat your case like it’s our own — because for us, your defense is personal.
Client-Centered Criminal Defense, Real Results in Orange
We’ve helped thousands of Californians and Orange residents avoid convictions, clear their records, and move forward with their lives. Many clients come to us after feeling hopeless or intimidated by the system — but leave with their freedom and dignity restored.
When you hire our firm, you can expect:
- Direct access to your criminal defense lawyer
- Honest communication about your case
- Aggressive defense strategies tailored precisely to your situation
- Compassionate support every step of the way
Our goal is simple: To protect your rights and win your case.
Don’t Wait. Call the Award-Winning Orange Criminal Defense Attorneys at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Today
The sooner you contact a defense attorney, the stronger your case will be. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and prosecutors move fast. We move faster.
If you’ve been arrested or believe you’re under investigation in Orange, don’t talk to law enforcement. Talk to us first. Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley right now at (714) 442-2601 or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
