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Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney

Have you or a loved one been charged with a crime?

Don’t deal with a broken system on your own.

Let’s face it: your future is at stake.

The next decision you make can very well be the most important decision of your life.

Are you willing to gamble on your future and hope for the best?

Or are you ready to take action and stand up for yourself?

If you are ready to fight, so am I.

Call or text 24/7, weekends included for a criminal defense attorney.

Practice Areas

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney, Immigration Attorney & DUI Lawyer

Our Process

I’VE BEEN CHARGED. WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

  • Arrest
    01

    Arrest

    The accused is taken into custody. Police will ask basic discovery questions like name and address to identify a person, then pivot to more specific questions related to the incident.

  • Reading Your
    Rights
    02

    Reading Your
    Rights

    You have the right to remain silent to avoid disclosing evidence that could potentially be self-incriminating, as well as the right to an attorney to defend you in court.

  • Booking
    03

    Booking

    The police will take you in for booking — Police will fingerprint you and get and updated photograph for their records. After, you’ll be given a chance to contact your criminal defense lawyer.

  • Arraignment
    04

    Arraignment

    The arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you’re going to plea. If you plead guilty, the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, your attorney will prepare for trial.

  • Discovery
    05

    Discovery

    In the discovery stage, you’ll get to see exactly what evidence the prosecution has against you. This is when your attorney can make additional requests for evidence if need be and strengthen your defense.

  • Plea Bargaining
    06

    Plea Bargaining

    Accepting the plea bargain is the last chance to plead guilty before the trial. Reduced charges may be presented to quickly settle the case and avoid trial.

  • Trial
    07

    Trial

    The prosecutor presents the case to the jury. Any evidence or witness statements are shared at at this time. Afterward, it’s your lawyers turn to take the stands and share your side of the story. The jury will make a final verdict.

  • Sentencing
    08

    Sentencing

    At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you were found guilty of. Decisions are based on the advised penalties for the specific charges in question.

Possible Penalties For A Criminal Conviction

Jail or Prison Time

Substantial Fines

Lengthy Probation

License Suspension

Mandatory Education

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney

Collateral effects of a criminal conviction

When you’ve paid your dues and walked away from the criminal justice system, you’ll be left with some unwanted baggage… a criminal record. A charge on file can become a roadblock for many important opportunities in life that many individuals don’t consider.

Parenting Rights

Depending on the nature of the crime and your current parenting arrangements, courts may have the authority to modify or take away custody rights to children.

Gun Rights

If you’re convicted of a felony in California, you will lose your right to possess and purchase firearms. Misdemeanor charges involving domestic violence, drug dependency, or mental health can also have an impact on your gun rights.

COLLEGE ADMISSION

Colleges do perform background checks. If they see that you have been convicted for a crime, even a misdemeanor, they may reject an application. Your chances of obtaining any funding for schooling may also be narrowed.

IMMIGRATION STATUS

Even a tiny misdemeanor conviction on your record puts a significant risk on your chances of obtaining a green card. Depending on the circumstances, you also risk getting deported.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

There are a lot of good jobs that require professional licenses or will run background checks during the hiring process. Any charges showing up on a criminal record is an immediate red flag for a lot of employers.

VOTING RIGHTS

In California, convicted felons lose their rights to vote while they are serving their sentence.

ADOPTION RIGHTS

If you or your partner plan to foster a child or adopt someday, the presence of a criminal record may severely hurt your chances of approval.

FINANCIAL AID

Different financial aids for things like education, housing, family welfare, etc., may no longer be accessible with a criminal charge on file.

SECURITY CLEARANCES

You may no longer be able to pass a security clearance in specific organizations or professions. Places like schools, daycares, and airports may be off-limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m innocent! Can you get my case dismissed?

While there are no guarantees, we promise to do everything in our power to get your charges dropped, restore your good name, and get you back on the right track. Reach out to our office for a free consultation to discuss your case and begin strategizing.

If the alleged victim does not want to press charges, will the charges be dropped?

If the complainant (alleged victim) does not want to press charges, the prosecutor may take this into account. However, prosecutors can and often do pursue charges even if the complainants don’t cooperate. Especially if the offense involved a violent or dangerous crime.

Will I have to go to trial?

Depends. Every case and every client is different. For example, a client who has DACA or is a Legal Permanent Resident or is TPS will approach a case differently because of the immigration consequences. At Barraza Law, prior to making the decision of going forward, we will discuss all of the details of your case.

If I’m offered a plea deal, should I take it?

Not before discussing your case with an experienced attorney. Accepting a plea deal is the same as admitting guilt. Although you may receive a lesser sentence, you’ll still be left with a criminal record that can be more damaging to your future than served penalties. It’s well worth your time to explore all of your options before accepting a plea deal.

Do I really need a lawyer if I intend to plead guilty?

Even if you’re set on pleading guilty, you should always consult an attorney before entering your guilty plea. Their legal knowledge can help reduce or remove penalties completely from what would otherwise be harsh consequences for the crime committed.

What does “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt” mean?

Proving guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” refers to the standard of proof the prosecution must meet in a criminal case. The standard of proof is the level of certainty each juror must have before determining that a defendant is guilty of a crime.

What is the jury’s role in a criminal trial?

The jury listens to the evidence during a trial, decides what facts the evidence has established, and draws inferences from those facts to form the basis for their decision. The jury decides whether a defendant is “guilty” or “not guilty.” A jury is a group of people summoned and sworn to decide on the facts in issue at a trial.

Criminal Defense for All

We Serve All Riverside County

The district attorney is building their case against you right now. The Prosecutor will not take your charges lightly — Will you?

Southwest Courthouse

  • Murrieta
  • Temecula

Riverside Courthouse

  • Moreno Valley
  • Riverside

Banning Courthouse

  • Beaumont
  • San Jacinto

Indio Courthouse

  • Indio
  • Palm Desert

Santa Anna Courthouse

  • Santa Ana
  • Orange

Fullerton Courthouse

  • Anaheim
  • Fullerton

Irvine Courthouse

  • Irvine
  • Costa Mesa

Westminster Courthouse

  • Huntington Beach
  • Garden Grove