Criminal law in San Jose, California is complex. The law changes every day. The best attorneys keep on top it. If you have the bad fortune of being involved in a criminal case then you probably need a criminal defense lawyer. Make no mistake, a criminal case can ruin you, devastate your professional and family life. But help is available. If you have a case in the San Jose area, contact a respected San Jose criminal defense attorney, a local attorney who has a complete understanding of the issues and the willingness to fight the good fight.
One very important point to remember is that your choice of attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make when you have a criminal case. You want the best. You want an attorney who cares about your case. You want an attorney who will return your telephone call.
Why sorts of cases does a criminal defense attorney typically handle?
In California, thousands of things are illegal to do, so many that it fills volumes of books. However, there are certain types of criminal charges that wind up commonly prosecuted in Santa Clara County, “street level” crimes.
• DUI: An attorney can offer expert professional representation in cases ranging from the first-time DUI misdemeanor to double murder DUI. A DUI can result in a loss of driving privileges, a big fine and even jail, sometimes prison. Drinking and driving is not necessarily illegal; it is only illegal if you drink too much. Sometimes, it is easy to tell if a driver had too much to drink. Sometimes, it is not entirely clear. Also, the police need a good reason to stop your car. A good lawyer can tell you if the car stop was legal.
Why sorts of cases does a criminal defense attorney typically handle?
In California, thousands of things are illegal to do, so many that it fills volumes of books. However, there are certain types of criminal charges that wind up commonly prosecuted in Santa Clara County, “street level” crimes.
• DUI: An attorney can offer expert professional representation in cases ranging from the first-time DUI misdemeanor to double murder DUI. A DUI can result in a loss of driving privileges, a big fine and even jail, sometimes prison. Drinking and driving is not necessarily illegal; it is only illegal if you drink too much. Sometimes, it is easy to tell if a driver had too much to drink. Sometimes, it is not entirely clear. Also, the police need a good reason to stop your car. A good lawyer can tell you if the car stop was legal.
• Domestic Violence: A qualified attorney can advise you on whether your domestic violence charges will result in a federal gun ban, a restraining order, immigration consequences, jail time, court ordered classes, and a host of other possible consequences.
• Sex Charges: Sex charges can put a person behind bars for the rest of their life, if it is a certain kind of sex charge. The consequences can also involve having a “strike” on one’s record, chemical castration, sentencing a minor as an adult, registering as a sex offender. All of these consequences are life changing. Only an experienced, well trained attorney can skillfully guide a person around a case involving sex charges.
• Drug Crime: Possession for personal use? Possession for sale? Manufacturing of a drug, methamphetamine? The penalties for drug crimes vary tremendously. Some drugs are perfectly legal. Some drugs are not. A good lawyer can tell you all about drug charges.
• Violent Crimes: A bar fight, simple battery is clearly not the same thing as a double murder. The penalties are different. The elements of the offenses are different. Some of those differences are easy to spot. But what about those aspects of violent crime that are not so easy to understand. For example, was a homicide a first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter or a justifiable homicide? That can be a tricky question. Only a fine attorney, well versed in the law may know how to answer it well. Most people want a fine attorney to represent them if they stand accused of violent crime whether it is simple batter or murder because the consequences can be substantial.
• Theft Charges: Legal advice in case of theft charges can range from shoplifting charges to complex employee embezzlement issues. You are innocent unless proven otherwise. Someone accused of theft can go to jail. A top lawyer might help you avoid jail.
Now, if you are in the San Jose area and you find yourself accused of criminal charges, you probably want to lawyer-up. It is a good idea to lawyer up with a pro. Lawyer up with a pro, call Javier Rios, a highly respected, experienced, award winning and dedicated criminal lawyer. Mr. Rios is a top San Jose criminal defense attorney.
