When you are arrested, cited or accused of a crime, whether it is a felony or misdemeanor, you are suddenly bombarded with multiple emotions and questions about your future. And in fact your future might be in jeopardy if you do not take immediate action. When accused of a crime, don’t talk to anybody but a licensed attorney and preferably an attorney that practices criminal defense! What you tell your defense attorney about your case is strictly confidential under the law. Anything you tell your friends and family is not and they might be called into court to testify against you. Anything you tell an officer usually can and will be used against you. The 5th Amendment is Your Right—use it!

THREE WAYS TO APPROACH YOUR CASE

(1) You can represent yourself, either by pleading guilty immediately, or trying to fight it on your own. As criminal defense attorneys we usually recommend against this because a) you generally never get a worse deal than your first day in court and b) most people are too close to the situation to make the best objective decisions.

(2) Ask for a public defender. We usually recommend that you at least do this. Even if you are thinking of pleading guilty, because they can go over your case and address it from a legal standpoint. However, public defenders are generally overwhelmed with hundreds of court appointed cases and will give you limited consultation and often do not have the time to fully investigate your case with full individualized attention.

(3) Hire a private criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.

You will get more attention with a private lawyer, plus the following benefits:

• Negotiate “deals” with prosecutors, often arranging for reduced charges and lesser sentencing;
• Formulate sentencing programs tailored to a client’s specific needs;
• Help clients cope with emotions of fear, embarrassment and reduced self-esteem;
• Provide clients with a reality check—a knowledgeable objective perspective on their situation and what is likely to occur if their case goes to trial. This perspective is vital for defendants trying to decide whether to accept a prosecutor’s offered “plea bargain”;
• Familiarity with important legal rules that individuals representing themselves would find almost impossible to locate on their own, because many criminal law rules are hidden away in court interpretations of federal and state constitutions;
• Knowledge of local court customs, procedures and court personnel, District Attorneys and Judges;
• Understand the possible “hidden costs” of pleading guilty, which a self represented person might never think about;
• Gather information from prosecution witnesses who often fear people accused of crimes and therefore refuse to speak to people representing themselves;
• Hire and manage investigators who may be able to believably impeach (contradict) prosecution witnesses who embellish or change their stories at trial;
• In some misdemeanor cases your attorney will represent you without your presence in court.

The reality is that most criminal court cases are settled before trial. This is the result of aggressive representation, individualized case attention, and positive communication and relationships with prosecutors and Judges. Our Law Office has successfully represented clients that have been charged with felonies and misdemeanors throughout Northern California . Our areas of practice include but are not limited to the following:

• Violent Crimes
• Domestic Violence
• Theft Crimes
• Drug Crimes
• DUI
• Drunk in Public,
• White Collar Crimes
• Arrest and Bench Warrants
• Probation Violations
• Gang Enhancements
• 3 Strikes
• Assault and Battery
• Weapons Charges
• Resisting Arrest
• Criminal Threats
• Cultivation
• Expungements
• Vandalism
• Juvenile Cases
  

It is important that you take immediate action. Call us for a free consultation at (530) 897-3700.

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