There are few things more distressing than being charged with a crime. If you are facing charges, a criminal defense lawyer serving San Diego can help protect your future.
The team at Simmrin Law Group has decades of legal experience. If you have been charged with a crime, a San Diego criminal defense lawyer can help you put together a strong defense.
What Can a San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney Do for Me?
A criminal charge does not have to result in a conviction. Our attorneys can assist with your defense by:
Investigating Your Case
Our firm has the resources to dig into the circumstances surrounding your charges. We can gather witness statements to determine what happened and review video footage, fingerprint evidence, and other forms of physical evidence that may offer insight into your case.
We will also monitor law enforcement investigations to ensure that evidence is collected legally and you receive fair treatment. Once we’ve analyzed all of the available evidence, we’ll help you build a strong defense.
Negotiating on Your Behalf
A prosecutor may offer you a plea bargain as your case progresses. These deals require you to admit guilt in exchange for less severe charges. In some situations, a plea deal can work in your favor. However, you should not agree to any plea without consulting an attorney.
A lawyer from our team can review any offers you receive and determine if they’re fair and suit your needs. If we deem an offer insufficient, we can go to the negotiating table and work hard to get a better deal.
Representing You in Court
Depending on the circumstances, our lawyers may be able to get your case dismissed before trial. If your case goes to criminal court, we will defend you before a judge and jury and fight for a favorable verdict.
At trial, we’ll present compelling evidence and convincing legal arguments. Our attorneys will draw on their extensive trial experience in order to win your case. Your odds of a favorable outcome will be much higher with a lawyer by your side.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Types of Cases We Handle
Criminal defense law covers a wide range of charges. We can help if you need a:
- San Diego DUI Lawyer: A conviction for driving under the influence can affect every aspect of your life. We can review the legality of the traffic stop, challenge breath or blood test results, and work to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
- San Diego Sex Crimes Lawyer: Sex crime allegations carry serious consequences, including prison time and mandatory sex offender registration. We can investigate your case and build a defense aimed at protecting your reputation.
- San Diego Drug Crimes Lawyer: Drug charges can range from simple possession to trafficking. We can analyze how evidence was obtained, challenge unlawful searches, and work to minimize the consequences of your charges.
- San Diego Violent Crimes Lawyer: Violent crimes like assault, battery, or domestic violence carry steep penalties. We can investigate the incident and gather evidence to strengthen your defense.
- San Diego Theft Crimes Lawyer: Theft offenses include shoplifting, burglary, robbery, and fraud. We can assess the evidence against you and pursue the best possible resolution for your case.
San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Types of Criminal Charges in California
In California, criminal charges generally fall into these categories:
- Infractions: These are the least serious offenses and typically involve minor violations like traffic tickets. They usually result in fines and do not carry jail time, though repeated infractions can create legal issues.
- Misdemeanors: These offenses are more serious and can lead to up to one year in county jail. Examples include DUI, petty theft, and simple assault.
- Felonies: These are the most serious charges and can result in significant prison time, fines, and other long-term consequences. Crimes like robbery, first-degree murder, and serious drug offenses typically fall into this category.
- Wobbler offenses: Some crimes can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies. Factors like your criminal history and the specifics of the alleged offense will dictate how the charge is classified.
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Criminal Penalties in San Diego
In San Diego County, a criminal conviction can lead to harsh penalties, such as:
- Incarceration: The court system can sentence you to years of jail or prison time.
- Probation: You might be sentenced to formal probation and forced to obey court-ordered regulations for a lengthy period.
- Fines: Some charges carry thousands of dollars in fines.
- Sex Offender Registration: If you are charged with a sex crime, you may have to join California’s sex crime registry, which can affect where you can live and work.
- Community service: For some infractions, you may be able to do community labor, like trash pickup, instead of receiving fines and other penalties.
- Reputational damage: Getting convicted of a crime can impact your reputation, job prospects, and, in some cases, professional licenses.
Our lawyers will fight relentlessly to help you avoid jail time and other penalties.
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Common Defenses in Criminal Cases
The right defense strategy will depend on the details of your case. That said, some of the most commonly used defenses in criminal cases include:
- Lack of evidence: The prosecution must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is weak, inconsistent, or incomplete, the case may not hold up.
- Mistaken identity: Witnesses can be wrong, and misidentification is more common than many people think.
- Self-defense: In cases involving alleged violence, you may be able to argue that your actions were necessary to protect yourself or someone else from harm.
- Illegal search and seizure: If police officers violated your rights while gathering evidence, that evidence may be excluded from the prosecution’s case.
- Alibi: Showing that you were somewhere else at the time of the alleged crime can directly undermine the prosecution’s claims.
- Violation of rights: If your constitutional rights were violated at any point, it can impact whether the case proceeds.
How Much Does a San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
Unlike personal injury attorneys, who only get paid if you win, defense lawyers are paid up front. There are several possible ways criminal lawyers structure their payment. Some charge a flat fee depending on the charge you are facing, while others charge an hourly fee or ask for a retainer.
While everyone has the right to an attorney, court-appointed lawyers do not have the time to scrutinize your case like an outside lawyer. No outcome is ever guaranteed, but you are more likely to obtain a favorable result if you pay for a lawyer.
What Happens After an Arrest?
After an arrest in San Diego, your case typically moves through the following stages:
- Booking process: You are taken into custody, your personal information is recorded, your fingerprints are taken, and the alleged offense is documented.
- Release or bail: Depending on the charge, you may be released on your own recognizance or required to post bail to secure your release while your case is pending.
- Arraignment: This is your first court appearance, where you are formally charged and asked to enter a plea. Pleading not guilty at this stage will give our defense attorneys time to review evidence and prepare a defense.
- Pretrial proceedings: These include hearings, evidence exchanges, and negotiations between the defense and prosecution. Many cases are resolved during this phase.
- Trial (if necessary): If no agreement is reached, your case may go to trial, where both sides present evidence and arguments before a judge or jury.
How Long Does a Criminal Case Take?
There’s no universal timeline for criminal cases. Some are resolved in a matter of weeks, while others take months or even longer.
Misdemeanor cases tend to move through the criminal justice system faster, especially if they are resolved through plea agreements. Felony cases, on the other hand, often involve more complex investigations, additional hearings, and longer timelines.
The legal process can be delayed for many reasons, including court scheduling, evidence review, and negotiations between both sides. While it’s natural to want a quick resolution, taking the time to build a strong defense is worth it.
Can My Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed?
Yes, it’s possible to get your charges reduced or dismissed, but the odds of that happening will depend on the specifics of your case.
Charges can sometimes be reduced through negotiation. For example, a felony might be lowered to a misdemeanor, or a more serious charge might be replaced with a lesser one.
Dismissals can happen when there is insufficient evidence, procedural errors, or civil rights violations. If the prosecution can’t prove its case, it may have no choice but to drop the charges.
Diversion programs are another possibility in certain cases. These programs allow you to complete specific requirements like counseling or community service in exchange for having your charges dismissed.
The outcome often comes down to how strong the evidence is and how effectively your case is handled.
What Happens If You Are Convicted?
Even if you are convicted of a crime, our lawyers can help minimize your sentence. In some cases, you may be eligible for a diversion program that will keep you out of jail and preserve your employment and housing.
In other cases, a plea agreement may be in your best interest. We can review the offers you receive and advise you on how to respond.
No matter what happens, we’ll do everything in our power to get the best results possible. You can count on us to put your case and your best interests first.
Why Choose Simmrin Law Group?
When choosing a lawyer, it’s important to consider their experience and the clients they’ve helped in the past. Simmrin Law Group has decades of experience handling cases as minor as first-time DUIs and as serious as drug offenses and white-collar crimes. No matter how serious your charges are, you can count on us to fight them effectively.
We’ve helped thousands of clients like you achieve favorable outcomes in criminal cases. We always put our clients first and work hard to give everyone we work with an excellent client experience. Whether we are giving you a free consultation, providing a case update, or prepping you before a jury trial, you can expect professionalism and in-depth guidance.
What to Do if You Are Facing Charges
If you have been arrested or believe you may be under police investigation, the actions you take next matter. Be sure to:
- Stay silent: Anything you say can be used against you, even if you think it may help your case.
- Avoid discussing your case: Talking to friends, family, or posting online can potentially harm your defense.
- Document what you remember: Details fade quickly, so write down everything you can recall about the incident.
- Follow court instructions: Missing a court date or ignoring legal requirements can worsen your situation.
- Seek legal guidance: Getting help sooner rather than later can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
The experienced lawyers at Simmrin Law Group have built a reputation for helping clients beat serious charges. If you have been charged with a crime, a San Diego criminal defense attorney from our team can take on your case, improve your defense, and work tirelessly to clear your name.
Schedule a free case evaluation to get help with your defense.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form