DUI

Driving under the influence of alcohol (AKA DUI) is against the California Vehicle Code. You can be charged with a DUI based on your behavior behind the wheel, circumstantial evidence at the time of being stopped, and your tested blood alcohol level.

Driving under the influence of alcohol

For our DUI clients, we attempt to reduce charges, negotiate lighter penalties, and help them keep their licenses (see DMV administrative hearing below).

Driving under the influence of drugs

Just like driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs is also not permitted. We try to better define the word “drugs” in our clients’ cases to get charges dropped or reduced and lessen the consequences in case of a conviction.

Underage drinking

Underage drinking (consuming alcohol under the age of 21) is often part of DUI charges. We do our best to reduce the long-term disruption of this for our clients and to prevent the recurrence of this type of charge.

Multiple DUI

Multiple DUIs can mean stiffer penalties for those convicted. One of our criminal defense strategies against multiple DUIs is to try to remove previous DUIs from the record in order to reduce penalties.

Bench warrant

A bench warrant means a judge has issued a warrant for your arrest for failing to pay DUI fines or failing to appear (FTA) in court. We recommend working with a defense attorney to either remove a bench warrant or lessen the consequences of the violations that prompted the warrant.

DMV administrative hearing

A DMV administrative hearing occurs with DUI cases to decide if the convicted party should retain or lose their driver’s license. It’s always best to attend these hearings with an attorney, as there are ways to reduce the severity of or prevent license suspension.

Driving on a suspended license

Driving on a suspended license comes with serious penalties, including jail time, in California. Sometimes there are ways to reduce the charges, lighten the penalties, or even drop the charges altogether.

Violent Crimes

Violent crimes always carry significant penalties in California, such as incarceration. It’s absolutely essential to hire a criminal defense attorney when you have been charged with a violent crime.

Assault and battery

Assault and battery are usually charged together. Assault is an act that threatens immediate harm to the victim, while battery is the act that causes physical harm.

Murder, attempted murder, and manslaughter

Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being, and there are various degrees of murder in the eyes of the law, based on factors like premeditation and depravity. Attempted murder is charged if someone takes steps towards murder with the intent to kill. Manslaughter is murder without malice aforethought, a crime that occurs on the spot without planning.

Robbery

Robbery means taking property from another by using fear or force. It doesn’t matter what the value of the property is. Robbery can contribute to the Three Strikes law (see below) that gives harsher sentences to those who commit multiple crimes.

Kidnapping and false imprisonment

False imprisonment is the crime of holding someone against their will. A good example of this is holding hostages during a bank robbery. Kidnapping also involves holding someone against their will, but first the party is abducted and taken to another location.

Criminal threats

Making a criminal threat means threatening to harm or kill another person. This can result in that person fearing for their safety or the safety of their family. The threat must be specific and unequivocal and can be delivered verbally, in writing, or via an electronic device.

Gang crimes and allegations

Gang crimes can be any number of violent crimes committed as part of a gang, such as assault, homicide, drug dealing, kidnapping, and auto theft. California is known for being extremely intolerant of gang crimes, so it’s vital to work with a criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with gang crimes.

Resisting arrest

If you interfere with a law enforcement officer’s attempt to perform a lawful arrest, that is considered resisting arrest. This crime can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony.

Three Strikes

Implemented in 1994, California’s Three Strikes law allows courts to give convicted serious criminals stricter sentencing. If you are in danger of violating this law, you should consult with an attorney to do what you can to reduce penalties.

Theft Cases

Theft is taking someone else’s property as part of an intentional act.

Petty theft

Petty theft is another term for shoplifting or stealing something from a store. In California, the goods stolen must be less than $950 to be considered petty theft.

Burglary

Burglary is unlawfully entering a business or residence with the intention of stealing property there. Burglary can be residential (first-degree burglary) or commercial (second-degree burglary).

Auto theft

Auto theft is, as the name implies, stealing a car. There are different types of auto theft, including grand theft auto, carjacking, and joyriding.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence crimes are those involving harm to someone who is a spouse, partner, former spouse, or former partner.

Restraining orders

There are different types of restraining orders, also known as protective orders. You can be charged for violating a restraining order that forbids you from harassing, contacting, or going near another person.

Criminal protective orders

A criminal protective order is issued by a judge to a victim of or a witness to a crime, in this case, involving domestic violence. Like with restraining orders, it is a crime to violate criminal protective orders (CPOs).