Sacramento Criminal Defense Lawyer

Police officers work for the government, not for you. The District Attorney prosecuting your case works for the government, not for you. The investigators at the District Attorneys Office work for the government, not for you. They will work hard to convict you. YOU NEED A LAWYER WHO WILL WORK HARD TO FIGHT FOR YOU!

If you have been issued a citation or charged with a criminal offense your liberty, your name and your reputation are at stake. In some cases, your driver’s license is at stake, impairing your ability to drive to work and provide for your family. Your right to vote and your ability to own a firearm may be at stake. Most convictions must be reported on job applications impairing your ability to get a job. Some convictions require you to register with a government entity. Convictions can also hurt your chances of getting or keeping custody of your children.

I will not guarantee to get your charges dropped. No lawyer should guarantee this. It is unethical and, more importantly, unfair to you. Still, our goal for your case is to get your charges dropped as quickly and affordably as possible. To help in this endeavor, I have an arsenal of legal weapons to protect you. Just as important, I have the drive, determination, and work ethic to fight the police and District Attorney for YOU! I believe that some government lawyers and private attorneys take on too many cases to be effective. Because their case loads are simply too high, they may be unable to give your case the individualized attention that it needs. I am dedicated to winning and giving each case the attention necessary to do so. You are not a case number or simply a paycheck and should not be treated like one.

Remember, the prosecution has an experienced attorney working to ensure your conviction, shouldn’t you have someone fighting for your rights. Call now for your free consultation.

I’ve been arrested what happens now?
If you have been charged with a crime your first appearance before a judge is usually called an arraignment. The court will inform you of the charges filed against you and will then inquire as to whether you can afford to hire an attorney. If so, the court can give you time to hire your attorney of choice. We represent clients at all stages including arraignments. Early representation allows us the ability to obtain discovery including the police report, as soon as possible to start working on your case. Remember: if investigation needs to be done, it should be done as soon as possible. Witnesses remember the events best when questioned as close to the event as possible. Also, if you are in custody, I can also make the appropriate legal argument before the court to have your bail reduced, or even arrange your release without having to pay bail.

Motions before the Court
After working on your case, I may discover that motions need to be heard in front of a judge. In some cases, motions can have a profound impact on your case. You may have had your Fourth Amendment rights violated during the arrest or the officers may have failed to inform you of your Miranda rights. Winning one of these important motions may have the consequence of getting your case dismissed or charges dropped.

Pre Trial Stage:
The pre-trial stage generally is the time period in which plea bargaining takes place. A plea bargain involves negotiating with a District Attorney to resolve your case favorably without having to endure the expense and inconvenience of trial. During this period, evidentiary issues are usually resolved. The discovery process (the process of gathering legal documents and information) allows us to begin building your defense. Similarly, my independent investigations are usually completed and a clear picture of your defense emerges (Usually you do not want to rely on what the police say about your case. Remember, they are the ones who arrested you). Exposing the state's evidentiary problems and carrying out favorable investigations often help me in negotiating remarkable results in your case.

Trial:
If I am unable to help you reach an appropriate plea agreement or to get your case dismissed, the next step is your jury trial. A jury trial consists of twelve jurors that will listen to the evidence and argument in the case and will then decide whether the District Attorneys Office has proved their case against you beyond a reasonable doubt. At your trial you have the right to present evidence and witnesses to support your defense.