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Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney

After being arrested for a crime, you should always contact a criminal defense attorney, regardless of how minor the charges are. Even a misdemeanor could negatively affect your life. A Riverside criminal defense attorney takes several steps at the start of a case, including negotiating with the prosecutor to drop or lower the charges against you.

 

Arrested or Charged With a Crime in Riverside?

After an arrest, the prosecutor reviews the police report to determine how to charge you. The police are not attorneys; thus, the charges they arrested you for could be incorrect. Additionally, crime scenes are often hectic. There is always a possibility that the police arrested you for something another person did or for the wrong reasons. Regardless of the reasons for your arrest, a Riverside criminal defense attorney protects your rights and ensures that the prosecutor does not overcharge you.

 

Top-Rated Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney

Charges a Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help Defend Against

A prosecutor can charge you with several crimes. A Riverside criminal defense attorney can help you with several criminal charges. Some of the most common criminal defense cases include driving under the influence (DUI); domestic violence; misdemeanors, such as traffic offenses; felonies, such as sexual crimes, assault and battery, and murder; and drug crimes, whether they are misdemeanors or felonies.

DUI

California has strict DUI laws. The DMV will suspend your license for four months for a first offense if you take a blood, breath, or urine test. If you do not take one of these tests, the DMV suspends your license for a year. If this is a second offense within 10 years, the suspension is for a year if you take one of the tests. If not, the second offense within 10 years results in a two-year suspension.

A Riverside DUI lawyer can help your defense by determining whether the police followed proper procedure and if the test results were accurate, as well as by arguing for a lesser charge or lower penalties.

You can apply for a restricted license to drive back and forth to work. However, there is no guarantee that you will receive the restricted license. An attorney can be an indispensable ally, fighting for your ability to continue to commute to work to support yourself and your family.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence cases are not as straightforward as they might seem. If you have been accused of abusing your partner and charged with domestic violence, you are entitled to skilled legal representation. A Riverside domestic violence lawyer can not only assist you in telling your side of the story, but they can gather evidence to establish whether the injuries sustained were caused in self-defense or in another accident entirely. It’s possible that your partner is guilty of domestic violence as well or could even be fabricating their report entirely. A skilled lawyer can get to the bottom of the story and provide you with the best legal advice.

Misdemeanors

If the court charges you with a misdemeanor, the judge could order a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail. Misdemeanors might include vandalism, DUI, petty theft, or driving on a suspended license.

If the police arrest you for a misdemeanor, you will attend an arraignment. The prosecutor’s office must share any evidence against you with your attorney. After you complete the discovery phase, you have a pretrial, followed by a jury trial or bench trial. At any time during the process, including prior to arraignment, your attorney can discuss the matter with the prosecution and attempt to have the charges dropped or lowered or the penalties reduced.

Felonies

If the court charges you with a felony, you could face at least a year in a state prison or a death sentence, depending on the severity of the felony. Felony examples include but are not limited to rape, murder, robbery, and possession of dangerous drugs for sale. The court processes felonies in the same manner as misdemeanors: Arraignment after arrest, then a preliminary hearing, and finally, a jury or bench trial. As with misdemeanors, your Riverside criminal defense attorney can negotiate to drop or lower the charges at any time during the process.

Assault and Battery

An assault is an attempt or threat to commit battery. Battery is a physical act—an intentional and/or willful use of violence or force on another person. For example, telling someone, “I’m going to strangle you,” is assault. If you follow through and strangle the person, that is battery. Depending on the circumstances, battery could be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

A Riverside assault and battery lawyer can assist in your defense by arguing that you acted in self-defense or in defense of another person, for example. As with other criminal charges, they can lobby for lowered or dropped charges and reduced penalties.

Drug Crimes

Drug crimes can range from possession for personal use to possession with intent to sell, manufacturing, and more. Depending on the circumstances, a drug crime could be a felony or a misdemeanor.

It is well-known that jails and prisons are overwhelmed, largely due to outdated drug laws and mandatory minimum sentences. A Riverside drug crimes attorney can negotiate a plea deal that results in lowered charges, fines, and jail time. They can also recommend treatment or probation rather than incarceration for minor crimes.

 

When Do I Need to Call a Riverside Criminal Defense Lawyer?

As soon as the police arrest you and process you, you should contact a Riverside criminal defense attorney to start working on your case. Generally, your arraignment is within 24 hours of being arrested, and you should have an attorney with you at arraignment.

 

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What Are the Steps of the Criminal Justice Process in Riverside?

After you are arrested and processed, your next hearing is called an arraignment. At this arraignment hearing, you have the opportunity to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Your attorney will often negotiate the charges before or after the arraignment. After the arraignment, the attorneys complete the discovery process, then you go to pretrial. After the pretrial, you will have a bench trial or a jury trial.

 

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney Near You

If you were arrested, even for a misdemeanor, you should immediately contact a Riverside criminal defense attorney to ensure that the police and prosecutors do not violate your rights. The attorney will also start investigating the case and look for the best way to represent your interests.

Contact us right away to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

 

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 Near You

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you typed “Riverside Criminal Defense attorney near me” or “Riverside Criminal Defense lawyer” into Google and are busy trying to become a lawyer when time is dwindling in your case, the best next step is to get a free evaluation of your charges.

With the right information, you can make the right decision. If you want immediate answers and help with your charges, contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

The Consultation Is Free.

Payment Plans Are Available

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer if it is my first offense?

Yes. Even a misdemeanor can follow you for the rest of your life, making it difficult to find work or housing.

What questions should you ask a Riverside criminal defense attorney?

  • How much is bond?
  • When is the arraignment?
  • What if the police wrongly arrested me?
  • Can you get my bond lowered?

Should you tell your lawyer everything?

You should always tell your lawyer everything. If you go to trial, the information you are hiding could come out during the trial. If your attorney does not know about it, the attorney cannot properly represent you.

 

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