Appeals

When a defendant is convicted, his or her case is not necessarily over.

Assault

Under the California Penal Code, assault is defined as “an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another.”

Battery

The crime of battery is defined as "any willful or unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another."

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant gives the police the right to arrest a person and place him or her in custody.

Burglary

The crime of burglary is defined broadly as breaking and entering a structure with the intent to commit a felony therein.

Child Pornography

In California, it is a felony to possess, transport, sell, buy, acquire, print, publish, distribute, or transfer child pornography.

Domestic Violence

Domestic battery or domestic violence is one of the most common crimes people are charged with in California.

Drug Crimes

In California, drug crimes can either be prosecuted as misdemeanors or felonies.

Drug Possession

Simple possession means the prosecutor’s office believes that the defendant’s reason for possessing the substance was for personal use, not to sell or distribute.

DUI

California’s DUI laws are some of the most stringent and punitive laws in the United States.

Expungement

California Penal Code section 1203.4 allows expungement of a misdemeanor or felony conviction.

False Allegations

An important task of a criminal defense attorney is to investigate all allegations to try to uncover the truth.

Felony Offenses State & Federal

A felony is generally defined as a crime punishable by death or imprisonment of more than one year.

Gang Offense

California’s gang enhancement laws are among the most punitive in the United States.

Illegal Use of Prescription Drugs

Possession of a prescription drug without a prescription is usually treated as a misdemeanor in California.

Internet Sex Crimes

Internet sex crimes usually revolve around the possession, distribution, or sale of child pornography.

Marijuana Charges

Beginning in 2011, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is not considered a crime in California.

Medical Marijuana

In 2015, California passed the California Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA).

Misdemeanor Offenses State & Federal

A misdemeanor is generally defined as a crime punishable by a jail term of up to one year, a fine, or both.

Murder & Attempted Murder

Murder is broadly defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought under California law.

Probation Violation

When a person is convicted of a crime, they are often placed on probation in lieu of jail time, or in combination with a jail sentence.

Sex Crimes

Sex crimes encompass a wide range of crimes that vary in their seriousness.

Theft Crimes

Theft crimes in California can range from misdemeanor petty theft to felony residential burglary, and many other crimes in between.

Violent Crimes

California’s criminal defense system puts an emphasis on punishing people who are convicted of serious or violent crimes.

Weapons Charges

California has very complex laws concerning gun ownership.

White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes are nonviolent crimes committed for financial motivation by a person involved in business or government officials.

Withdrawing Guilty Pleas

California Penal Code section 1018 allows a defendant to withdraw a guilty or no contest plea under certain circumstances.

Criminal Defense