Have a Safe and Happy Holiday.

I have been wishing my friends and fellow citizens this for over forty years now.  It has been my pleasure (and will continue to be) to have vigorously defended those accused of criminal offenses in 2017.  Without defense, a person faces the criminal justice system of California alone and that is NOT acceptable!

Too many good people in our area are wrongly accused of a criminal act.  Some of these charges range from domestic violence, sex offenses, juvenile crimes, drug charges, different types of theft, etc.  I hope to be there to aggressively defend you or a loved one when called upon for many years to come.

My name is William Chestnut.  I am a criminal defense attorney serving the citizens of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda Counties.  I am known throughout the South Bay Area for my dogged defense of many different criminal charges.  Please visit my website at williamchestnutlaw.com and, once again, happy holidays to one and all.

Holiday Parties Gone Wild.

This time of year, a holiday gathering may include illegal “party favors”.  People let their hair down and get careless by using narcotics to enhance holiday celebrations.  Being caught with drugs this time of year does not excuse you and your party-going friends, so you should know the consequences.

In the state of California, a drug charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony. Those convicted of this offense as a misdemeanor, face up to one-year in a county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine. If you are convicted of this offense as a felony, you face 16 months, or two or three years in the California state prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.

Sobering…isn’t it?  If you or someone you care about has been arrested on a holiday drug charge you need immediate and aggressive representation.  In our area, we have counted on San Jose drug possession defense attorney William Chestnut for decades.  Don’t let this holiday season go south!  Call Attorney Chestnut at (408) 298-6990.

Don’t Give Up Your Dream.

For years…maybe your entire life you have dreamed of being an entrepreneur.  Working for yourself requires long hours and laser-focused dedication, but for many it is worth it.  There are many different professions that require specific licensing in the state of California such as teaching, contracting, real estate sales, etc.

Then there is California law SR-22.  There is much confusion about how this connects with DUI convictions in the state.  You must obtain an SR-22 form if you wish to reinstate your driver’s license following a DMV suspension.  This is not the only circumstance whereby an SR-22 may come into play.

The point is this…if you have been convicted of a DUI in the state of California and you wish to own a business you will most likely need the help of an attorney who knows the ins and outs of this form.  For decades people in our area have relied on San Jose DUI defense attorney William Chestnut for aggressive and successful representation.  Give Bill a call at (408) 298-6990.

Tradesmen and Criminal Convictions.

There is a common misconception.  If someone in the trades loses their license due to criminal behavior their career is over.  It has happened thousands of times in California.  Maybe you or a loved one made a handsome living as a contractor, a teacher, or a real estate agent for example and because of a criminal driving conviction you feel that your career is over.

Let me introduce you to SR-22.  In the Big Bear state this is a document that verifies insurance for a high-risk individual.  This may be the answer to the problem of obtaining insurance after a criminal conviction.  It is filed with the department of motor vehicles and is obtained typically after a DUI or driving without insurance, for example.

For those residents of San Jose and the surrounding area call Attorney William Chestnut.  He is an experienced California DUI attorney with experience and knowledge about SE-22.  For decades he has successfully defended Californians who have lost their driver’s licenses.  Call Bill today for the help you need at (408) 298-6990.

New Year’s Eve DUIs

Did you or someone you care about really mess up on New Year’s Eve?  Last year the California Highway Patrol reported that traffic deaths and drunk driving arrests were up statewide compared to the previous year.  As a matter of fact, DUI arrests were up approximately 33% from 2013 to 2014.  You would think that everyone has learned their lesson by now.

But enough of the preaching.  If you have not exercised caution during the holiday season then you must exercise common sense in the New Year.  It may be you or a loved one, but whomever it is they will need aggressive representation when they go to court to defend themselves against that holiday DUI or other criminal charge.

Society has become less tolerant of DUI drivers, so if you need representation call someone who has 38 years of experience defending the rights of the accused in California.  So whether it was a drunk driving charge or some other criminal charge during the holiday season call San Jose area criminal attorney William Chestnut today.  Attorney Chestnut is dedicated to personal service, trust, and hard work.  Give him a call at (408) 298-6990 and make an appointment to consult with him at his new office at 4020 Moorpark Avenue, #214 in San Jose.

An Increase in Crime During the Holidays.

The holiday season seems to create more crime.  Maybe you needed extra money for presents or you just felt a sense of hopelessness at this time of year.  Needless to say this season comes with an excess of DUI’s as well.   A combination of celebration and seasonal depression can lead to a spike around the holidays, but the result is the same if you find yourself facing a DUI charge.

In San Jose, if you are arrested for a criminal DUI, there are certain steps you can take to help avoid a conviction.  Everyone knows that driving a vehicle under the influence carries serious consequences.  The authorities do not care that you were celebrating a company party.

The first step is consulting with San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney, William Chestnut. He has defended citizens for over 35 years and knows that no two cases are alike.  Because of his experience he is qualified to understand the local rules and regularly works against the attorneys at the District Attorney's office. His extensive legal experience and familiarity with the process will be vital to your criminal defense.  You must never face this alone.  Call Attorney Bill Chestnut today at (408) 298-6990.

The Ramifications of a DUI

What are the financial, lifestyle, and legal ramifications of a DUI?  Assuming it is a first–time offense and there are no additional charges or aggravating circumstances, you should prepare for the following:

1. Your driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days and you will be faced with administrative fees to the DMV to have it reinstated.

2. You will be ordered to pay a fine up to $1000 plus court costs and administrative fees.

3. You will receive a jail sentence of two days to six months, or community service if you are lucky.

4. You will be ordered to attend DUI School which you would have to pay for.

This is just part of the nightmare of getting a DUI.  Good people sometimes make bad decisions.  You have put yourself and others in jeopardy, but you should be able to get on with your life.  To make sure of that outcome, please call San Jose DUI attorney William Chestnut at (408) 298-6990.  Bill has defended thousands of clients for over 30 years.  Trust him to handle your case efficiently and aggressively.  

Use Extra Caution When Driving or Walking During December.

More than 700 people nationally are expected to be injured or killed each DAY during December in drunken driving crashes alone, a rate two to three times higher than the rest of the year, according to the centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

If you could turn back the clock you would not have had that extra drink.  You would not have crossed the street while looking at your cell phone.  You would have taken an extra second to look both ways before turning into traffic.

Regardless of whom is at fault in these holiday season catastrophes you need the best representation possible if you are accused in any type of accident where you are deemed at fault.  It can literally be the difference between freedom and incarceration in 2015 and beyond.

You may rely on the Law Office of William Chestnut for aggressive representation against any criminal charge of which you may be accused.  This is already a stressful and difficult time.  Put your trust in William Chestnut and give him a call at (408) 298-6990 to handle your case anywhere in the San Jose California area.

Has Police Brutality Reached New Heights?

With all of the news we have been reading lately you might begin to believe that we are living in a society ruled by a heartless group of law enforcers.  The truth is we are an expanding and divergent society and these problems come to the forefront with an increase in population and our access to information 24/7. 

There will always be a need for law enforcement, but not brutality.  Sometimes there is a fine line between the two.  In larger urban areas such as San Jose there is a melting pot of diverse races, creeds, and colors.  Regardless of the way each member of society believes in the way the law is enforced there will be certain guidelines that MUST be followed to ensure order. 

Interpretation of the way law enforcement is handled is the job of the courts.  You absolutely need the best possible representation in a court of law now more than ever.  Your case may be examined in a variety of ways and only the very best attorney can advise you on how it should be properly handled. 

For the very best criminal legal representation in the San Jose area contact the law office William Chestnut at 1010 West Taylor St. in San Jose…or call him now at (408) 298-6990.  Your future freedom is too important to leave to chance.

The Need For Sentence Reform

When coming out of prison, people need many things, but the critical ones are safe housing, drug treatment and jobs. Theoretically, $2 billion dollars allocated to prison inmate reduction and sentence reform is ironically being given to county jails, which have seen their own overcrowding only get worse as they have absorbed thousands of inmates from state prisons. So far, counties have allocated an average of just 12 percent of their realignment funds to re-entry programs.

Where does this leave someone who has to reenter society? If there are no jobs, no treatment facilities and no proper reentry programs, the revolving door of California's
prison system perpetuates.

Until major sentencing reform is even discussed, a competent attorney who understands ALL aspects of the law from both sides; is your best defense when facing the justice system. Your best chance to preserve your future is to act in the present. Call the Law Offices of William Chestnut for a consultation. We are here to fight vigorously for you.

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.

Whom To Call If You Are Arrested In San Jose For A Dui.

Spring is here and Californians are migrating to the beach to cool off. A tradition as old as the Santa Ana winds. With that also comes an increase of drunk driving.

You spent the day at the beach drinking a few beers and soaking up some rays. A couple of hours go by and you think you’re fine to drive. The breathalyzer you are given on PCH begs to differ. You just won a 10,000 dollar debt and jail time... How do you feel?
Probably pretty scared. Luckily, our competent attorneys are well versed in California’s strict DUI laws and will comb through your case to find any and every discrepancy from law enforcement, jailers, judges, prosecutors, et al.

The law isn’t perfect. Neither are those who enforce it--which is why we try to be. If you have recently been arrested for a DUI, give us a call yesterday. Time is paramount. Don’t let the legal system treat you like a bingo ball. Bouncing around an encasement hoping your number gets called so you can get out. Don’t take your chances. Give us a call. We’ll pull your number and get you out so you can get back to the business of living.

Is Your Child Facing Serious Drug Charges?

“Boys will be boys” people often say when a youth engages in mischief. But what if it goes beyond toilet papering a house (which, by the way is an arrestable offense).
But what if it’s worse than that? What if your child is facing serious drug charges? Vandalism? Or the most serious; murder.

When facing the justice system as a juvenile, a few things should be taken into account.
Did the said youth know that what he/she was doing was wrong? Illegal?
The juvenile justice system should seek to rehabilitate and curb behavior rather than punish.
There is a disproportionate amount of minority youths being tried and sentenced for juvenile crimes that when their white counterparts face the same charges, the repercussions are far less.
As is the adult justice system is often imbalanced and flawed, so is the juvenile justice system.

These are scary realities your child will be facing. In some cases they may even be tried as an adult depending on the severity of the circumstances. Don’t let your child go it alone and don’t think because he or she is “just a kid” that they will be treated as such.

Curbing and rehabilitating a youth before he or she reaches the adult prison system is far more successful then trying to do so after they’ve entered the adult prison system. Sometimes a little guidance and patience is what’s needed to turn a youth around. Call us today so we can help steer you on that path. Go it alone and you may see the juvenile justice system is more concerned with moving cases along than rehabilitating your young one.

Contact A Defense Attorney For California Sex Crimes Defense

Conviction for a sexual offense carries a lifelong stigma. Required registry as a sex offender can make that conviction very, very public. Unfortunately, increasing reliance on black-and-white rules and society's impatience for quick, easy solutions have subjected hundreds of thousands of people subject to these public badges of shame. Far too often, people—including juveniles—who are convicted of relatively minor, one-time offenses face years of harassment.

Unfortunately, if you have been charged with a sex offense in California, you stand a strong chance of becoming one of them. It is essential to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who is committed to protecting your rights and relentlessly defending you in court.

San Jose criminal defense attorney William Chestnut has been protecting the accused in the Bay Area for 30 years and is dedicated to providing those accused of sex crimes a powerful defense. Contact him now through this Web site or call (408) 298-6990 for a free initial consultation.

Do not talk to the police without an attorney. What you say in a police interview may determine whether you are charged with indecent exposure, statutory rape or a major felony. Many sex crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the facts and circumstances. Some convictions require mandatory sex offender registration, while others do not. A knowledgeable defense lawyer may be able to advocate for less serious charges—and help you minimize the potential consequences.

Attorney William Chestnut has handled thousands of criminal cases during his 30 years of criminal defense. He protects the rights of people throughout Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, Alameda County, Silicon Valley and the South Bay Area who are charged with sex offenses including:

• Indecent exposure 
• Prostitution or solicitation of prostitution 
• Rape or sexual assault, including "date rape" and forcible rape 
• Statutory rape 
• Possession or production of Internet child pornography 
• 647(a) crimes: misdemeanor sexual contact with a child 
• 288 crimes: child molestation not including sexual intercourse 
• Felony child molestation 
• Life-sentence rape (substantial sexual contact over time with a child) 
• Failure to register as a sex offender or failure to update the sex offender registry 

Contact Attorney William Chestnut for a Free Initial ConsultationA sex offense conviction can be extraordinarily and permanently destructive. Do not give up. You have options, and a thorough, aggressive criminal defense can help. Contact the Law Offices of William Chestnut today for a free initial consultation.

Don't Ever Talk To The Police Before Talking To An Attorney

 When you choose a criminal defense lawyer, choose one who:

• is committed to strict confidentiality
• will take the time to listen, return your phone calls, and give you honest, practical advice
• will perform a thorough, independent investigation of your case
• has the experience, skill, and positive professional relationships to be a strong advocate for you with police and prosecutors
• has the ability to formulate a defense that will capture the attention of jurors

Attorney Chestnut is dedicated to just this type of personal service, trust, hard work and powerful advocacy.

Located two blocks south of Taylor/Naglee near I-880, William Chestnut's law offices are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekend appointments can be arranged, and attorney Chestnut is available to meet with you in jail. The firm accepts Visa, MasterCard, cash and checks as payment for its services. Contact the Law Offices of William Chestnut today to arrange for a free initial consultation.

Call for a free consultation immediately. (408) 298 - 6990 (24/7).

Choose A Defense Attorney With A Broad Range Of Criminal Defense Services Based On Experience

William Chestnut represents people throughout Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, Alameda County, Silicon Valley and the South Bay Area who are charged with any of a wide variety of California felonies or misdemeanors:

• Record clearances and expungements
• Certificates of rehabilitation
• Applications for pardon by the governor
• Domestic violence and protective order hearings
• Sex offenses, from indecent exposure to child sex offenses
• Computer crimes, cyber crimes and Internet crimes such as Internet fraud or phishing schemes and identity theft
• Environmental crimes
• Theft crimes, property offenses and fraud, including benefits fraud such as workers' comp fraud or welfare fraud
• White-collar crime
• Traffic violations, speeding tickets and traffic crimes from hit and run to vehicular homicide
• DUI, including DMV license suspension hearings
• Drug offenses from possession of marijuana to drug trafficking conspiracy
• Violent crimes, including assault and weapons charges
• Parole and probation violations
• Sex offender registration violations
• Issues involving the immigration consequences of criminal charges
• Juvenile offenses

Contact Attorney William Chestnut for a Free Initial Consultation

Located two blocks south of Taylor/Naglee near I-880, William Chestnut's law offices are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekend appointments can be arranged, and attorney Chestnut is available to meet with you in jail. The firm accepts Visa, MasterCard, cash and checks as payment for its services. Contact the Law Offices of William Chestnut today to arrange for a free initial consultation.

Call for a free consultation immediately. (408) 298 - 6990 (24/7).

Questionable Forensics Means New Trial For Murder Defendant

Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions we have today is that because forensics is called a science the information that results from the tests and analyses done by experts in that field is thought to be indisputable truth. What criminal defense attorneys in California and elsewhere know is true, though, is that forensic evidence can be, and many times is, faulty, unreliable and experts may exaggerate their significance, all of which can result in innocent defendants being convicted.

The prevalence of such miscarriages of justice is what inspires the efforts of the Innocence Project - a national group that helps those it feels have been wrongly convicted and incarcerated get the justice they are due. One of the latest such cases involves a 34-year-old Minnesota man who's been in prison for six years of a 14-year sentence for the death of an infant daughter. He was freed on bail and has been granted a new trial based on new evidence presented in court by Innocence Project attorneys.

Don't assume that if you're innocent the "truth will set you free". Anyone being accused of a crime needs aggressive representation. If you're in need of criminal defense contact San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney William Chestnut at 408-298-6990 or at williamchestnutlaw.com for assistance.

Mistrial In Molestation Case Raises Questions About Prosecutions

Local San Jose media have picked up on the fact recently that of all the child molestation cases heard so far this year in Santa Clara County, 43 percent have ended with juries either acquitting the suspect or being deadlocked on a verdict, resulting in a mistrial.

The apparent jump in mistrials is beginning to raise questions among some legal minds with expertise in dealing with sex crimes charges. There are those who say it may be due to overly aggressive prosecutors taking their cases to trial without sufficient evidence. Others suggest that juries, swayed by myriad crime shows on TV, have expectations of receiving forensic evidence that aren't being met.

If you're in need of criminal defense contact San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney William Chestnut at 408-298-6990 or at williamchestnutlaw.com for assistance.

Social Host Ordinance Could Bring Criminal Penalties Against Parents

Social host ordinances have been springing up across communities for many years. Now, San Jose has passed its own ordinance, hoping to curb underage drinking. According the San Jose Mercury News, the social ordinance would make the adult who owns or leases the property responsible if more than three underage people are found drinking on the property, and they could be charged with a crime. This means parents need to be extra cautious as to what their children are up to.

These ordinances place the burden of responsibility on the parents for knowing exactly where their children are at every moment of the day. If a parent needs to go out of town for work for a night, or the parents take a vacation without their kids, they might risk being fined for the social host ordinance. It might not be as simple as locking up the liquor cabinet.

If you're in need of criminal defense contact San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney William Chestnut at 408-298-6990 or at williamchestnutlaw.com for assistance.

Man Claims Police Brutality After Arrest For Robbery

When someone is arrested, they have the right to be treated fairly and with respect. Being arrested doesn't mean a person is guilty of a crime; therefore they should be treated as innocent, until they are proven otherwise. Sometimes when a person is accused of committing a violent crime, police act violently toward the accused person, even if they are arrested without resistance. This could be an act of police brutality.

Sometimes police overstep their authority or abuse that authority and they violate the rights of the accused. A man in another state was arrested and convicted of robbery. He claims that while he was getting arrested police stomped on him and caused great bodily injury to him, including a hemorrhage in his eye and broken bones. These injuries are a serious violation of the accused person's rights.

If you are a victim of police brutality, contact San Jose Criminal Defense Attorney William Chestnut at 408-298-6990 or at williamchestnutlaw.com for assistance with criminal defense matters.