Find A Criminal Defense Attorney In San Jose

Don't gamble with your freedom.

Society is becoming less tolerant. The legal system continues to get tougher on individual civil liberties. As a result, more people are being convicted of crimes every year-people who might not have faced such harsh penalties in the past. Tougher sentences, mandated by sentencing guidelines, mean that more people are serving longer sentences than ever before-sentences that may not fit the crime.

If you have been charged with a crime in California, you shouldn't gamble with the justice system. You value your freedom. You need to take action to protect it.

San Jose criminal defense attorney William Chestnut has 30 years of experience defending the rights of the accused in California, and he has defended thousands of clients. Contact him now at (408) 298 - 6990 for a free initial consultation.

Is San Jose The Safest Big City In America?

There is a crime spike in San Jose right now that has taken the title "Safest Big City" away. Is there a rise in crime? Or is it lack of police or even inefficient policing?

There are a laundry list of reasons one can come up with, but the fact is crimes are committed in every city. Ours happens to have had a spike in burglaries and theft but are far short of the violent crimes that bigger cities such as San Francisco and Oakland have.

So what is the answer? More Police Officers? That costs an extraordinary amount of money to the tax payers. Unfortunately, harsh convictions seem to be the only answer to the problem. Harsh convictions can disenfranchise and even create criminals.

If you are facing criminal charges in San Jose, be warned that harsh sentences are being handed down in an effort to offset the rising crime rate. Again, this rise in crime is in burglary and theft. If you are facing these charges or any other criminal charges in San Jose, call us for a consultation. Don't let prosecutors balance the numbers by padding yours.

Don't Drink And Drive This Fourth Of July

The Fourth of July is upon us again. In San Jose, outdoor activities are at their apex and so are the alcoholic beverages consumed by the patriotic revelers.

Unfortunately, the holidays are a deadly time to be on the road. Every year, hundreds of Americans die as a result of alcohol-related car crashes. The Fourth of July has repeatedly ranked as the deadliest holiday of the year -- even deadlier than New Year's Day.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been tracking car crash statistics for a quarter of a century. Fourth of July almost always tops the list. Statistics gathered over the past 25 years show that, on average, nearly 51 percent of all deadly traffic crashes on July 4 are related to alcohol - although that percentage varies from year to year. Other holidays on the list include Labor Day, New Year's, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The NHTSA research has consistently shown that more people are killed in crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver on the weekends and at night. In 2008 alone, 58 percent of drivers and motorcycle riders were killed in alcohol-related crashes that took place over the weekend and at night. But no matter what day it is, most crash fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Also, more people die while driving in rain compared to snow or sleet.

So now that we have your attention, think twice before you engage in such activities. But, if you or someone you know happens to get a DUI this Independence Day, be fully aware that you will be facing severe penalties that will make you wish you heeded the warning. If you have been arrested for a DUI, contact San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney William Chestnut at 408-298-6990 for assistance with your San Jose DUI matter.

The Distinction Between a Career Criminal and a Drug Addict

Drug use in America has skyrocketed. Some attribute it to the drug companies reintroducing the public to opioids and other horribly addictive drugs that will make the most pious person turn into a full blown addict.
Along with an addiction comes a physical and psychological need to get more... By any means necessary. Often, crime is the choice. When deep enough in the throws of addiction, one may or may not be able to decipher right from wrong. Crime then becomes not an option but an only resort.


There are repercussions for breaking the law, but theres also a distinction between a career criminal and a drug addict. The law unfortunately doesn't make that distinction. Which is why sentence reform is needed. The war on drugs was about as successful as the Vietnam War. A lot of people have died and no progress has been made.
If you or someone you know has been charged with drug possession, use, abuse, sales, etc. Give us a call today. The justice system doesn't care about your reasoning for committing crime, but we do.

Hire a San Jose Criminal Attorney to Handle a Criminal Case.

When someone is charged with criminal spousal abuse charges relating to an argument involving domestic violence in the State of California, there are two common charges that they face in a criminal court. Those charges are corporal injury to a spouse, which is charged a felony crime or spousal battery which is generally charged as a misdemeanor crime. In this blog, we will discuss those two possible charges and will focus on certain issues that I have seen arise in various criminal cases that the Law Offices Of William H. Chestnut have handled involving criminal charges stemming from domestic violence.
Understand however, that every case is unique and that only an experienced criminal lawyer who is familiar with the facts of your case can properly advise you regarding your criminal matter. That is why if you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, the best thing that you can do for that person is to hire a San Jose Criminal Attorney to handle the criminal case. Going it alone can and will leave you at the mercy of the justice system which isn't very merciful when dealing with an accused domestic abuser.
Don't let the courts stigmatize you. We will fight for your freedom and good name. Call us today for a consultation.

A Theft Charge Can Range From Petty To Grand Larceny.

A theft charge can range from petty to grand larceny. Both of those and everything in between can carry with them stiff penalties. Whether it was accidental or intentional, the law doesn't show much regard for an "accused thief".

We don't regard you as "thief", we regard you as a human being with liberties bestowed upon you the day you were born. Protecting those liberties and rights is our primary concern. We will not let you be labeled an unfair "Scarlett A" applied to one who is charged with theft. Sometimes it's a misunderstanding, sometimes it's just a bad decision made. Whatever it is, we don't judge. We defend.

If you or someone you know is facing charges of theft--be it petty to grand larceny, we are here to fight for you. Giving us a call today could be the difference between freedom and imprisonment.

Someone Willing To Fight For Me On A Sex Offense Charge.

A sex offense charge can carry with it not only a harsh penalty, but an unshakable stigma. Unfortunately, our laws make anyone who has had a sex offense register as a "sex offender". When people hear: "sex offender" they are inclined to place all sex charges under the same umbrella. This can not only inhibit your ability to gain or maintain employment for the rest of your life. It will also inhibit or render impossible the ability to obtain a residence.

Whatever your sex offense charge may be, The Law Offices of William Chestnut are willing to fight for you. Don't let a stigma ruin your future. Going it alone will guarantee a bleak future. We aren't here to judge, we're hear to ensure that ALL of your rights are protected. Our attorney's will fight for you and your future.

If you or someone you know is facing sex offense charges, give us a call NOW. Time is of dire importance. Don't let the legal system chew you up, spit you out and then stigmatize you.