Do not ignore criminal charges. If you do, you could face fines, jail, prison time, or other severe penalties. Get legal help from a Santa Ana criminal defense lawyer after you are arrested for a criminal offense. Your attorney solves your legal challenges and positions you to achieve a favorable case outcome.
At Simmrin Law Group, we offer unwavering support as you deal with the aftermath of a criminal charge. Our team brings decades of legal experience to your criminal case. Trust our attorneys to fight your charge. Schedule a case consultation with us to get started.
Why Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
A Santa Ana criminal defense attorney knows how helpless it feels to be charged with a crime. Your lawyer is your legal representation and advocate. They remain on your side throughout your case proceedings. Your attorney offers legal services, guidance, and support in many areas, including:
Teaching You About the Criminal Justice System
You have no idea what the legal process entails and how long criminal trials last. A criminal defense lawyer shares their legal knowledge with you. They address your legal concerns and questions and help you make informed decisions at each stage of your case proceedings.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
Just because you have been charged with a crime does not mean you will be convicted. A criminal defense attorney prioritizes your constitutional rights.
If your rights were violated at any point during your arrest, they can gather evidence to validate this claim—and potentially help you avoid a conviction in the process.
Creating a Legal Defense
If you say you should not be punished for a crime, it is your responsibility to prove that the prosecution’s case should be dismissed. A criminal defense lawyer examines the facts of your case. They develop a legal strategy designed to compel the court to rule in your favor.
Negotiating a Plea Deal
There are times when a plea agreement is available and would allow you to accept a lesser charge than the initial one levied against you. A criminal defense attorney provides you with insights into what a plea bargain is and how it may apply to your case. If warranted, they can negotiate a plea deal on your behalf.
The Simmrin Law Group team understands crimes and the short- and long-term impact of criminal convictions. We handle a wide range of criminal cases and will assist you with your legal matters in any way we can. Request a case consultation with us to learn more.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Lawyers to Consider for a Santa Ana Criminal Defense Case
Who you hire as your legal representation is critical. Choose a criminal defense lawyer serving Santa Ana who has relevant case experience. Lawyers who could help you with your criminal case include:
- Santa Ana DUI lawyers: Getting charged with driving under the influence (DUI) can make you feel like your world is ending. Let an attorney argue your case, as they could help you defend against a suspension of your driver’s license and other penalties.
- Santa Ana sex crimes lawyers: Those convicted of rape, prostitution, or other sex crimes have to deal with serious consequences. An attorney analyzes your sex crime charge and looks for ways to dispute the prosecution’s argument.
- Santa Ana drug crimes lawyers: If you have been charged with drug possession, drug trafficking, or other drug crimes, you could receive a conviction that impacts you for the rest of your life. Allow an attorney to review your charge and discuss your legal options with you.
- Santa Ana federal crimes lawyers: Federal prosecutors commit substantial time and resources to get convictions. Work with an attorney who is familiar with the federal court system and can develop a legal strategy for you.
- Santa Ana white collar crimes lawyers: Give criminal charges for embezzlement, insurance fraud, or other white-collar offenses your undivided attention. Have an attorney assess your case and raise a reasonable doubt about the prosecution’s argument.
- Santa Ana violent crimes lawyers: An accusation of domestic violence, assault and battery, or other violent crimes can have major implications for you. Consult with an attorney who will evaluate your violent crime charge and share details about how to disprove the prosecution.
- Santa Ana traffic violation lawyers: A traffic violation may seem minor, but it can cause big problems. Ask for help from an attorney who can attend a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearing with you and minimize the risk of having points added to your driver’s license.
- Santa Ana theft crimes lawyers: Being convicted of theft can lead to financial penalties and a jail or prison sentence. With help from an attorney, you can make it clear that you should not be punished for a theft crime.
- Santa Ana internet crimes lawyers: It is challenging to contest charges for identity theft or other internet crimes. An attorney takes care of the legal matters for those who have been charged with internet criminal offenses.
- Santa Ana property crimes lawyers: Someone accuses you of damaging or destroying their property. An attorney can collect proof that makes it tough to show that you should be convicted of a property crime.
Find a criminal defense attorney serving Santa Ana who answers frequently asked questions and others relating to your case. Your lawyer guides you through the legal process and explains the criminal penalties associated with your charge.
Santa Ana Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Penalties for a Criminal Conviction in Orange County
When it comes to criminal offenses in Orange County, prosecutors do everything they can to punish perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law. Below are the penalties you could receive if you are convicted of a crime in Orange County.
Incarceration
The type and length of incarceration depend on the category of criminal offense you’ve been charged with. For a misdemeanor conviction, you could have to spend up to one year in an Orange County jail. Alternatively, a felony conviction may lead to a minimum prison sentence of one year, with the potential for more time based on the severity of your offense.
Fines
Like prison and jail time, financial penalties vary based on the crime. If you receive a misdemeanor conviction in Orange County, you could be fined up to $1,000. For a felony conviction, financial penalties can be $10,000 or more.
Probation
With probation, you must comply with court-ordered conditions, such as receiving drug or alcohol testing and attending counseling. A Santa Ana, CA, criminal defense lawyer can speak with you about the different types of probation in California and how each one works.
Community Service
You could be ordered to complete community service as part of a criminal conviction or a probation agreement. A judge or probation officer will determine the type of community service work and hours. If you do not fulfill your community service requirements, you could receive jail time, fines, and other penalties.
Restitution
There are instances when those convicted of criminal offenses in Orange County must pay restitution fines to compensate victims for the economic losses they have incurred. A Santa Ana, CA, criminal defense attorney can talk with you about restitution and how much you could have to pay a victim if you receive a conviction.
If you think a prosecutor will let you off the hook for a criminal charge in Orange County, think again. Ultimately, it is in your best interests to have an attorney at your disposal. Your lawyer can provide you with information about these penalties and the collateral consequences associated with criminal convictions.
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Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction
A criminal defense lawyer serving Santa Ana, CA, wants you to account for a conviction’s impact on your everyday life. Those convicted of a crime often struggle to enjoy their lives in the same way they did before. Outside of legal penalties, the collateral consequences that come with a criminal conviction in Orange County can include:
Social Stigma
Family members and friends could look at you differently if you have been convicted of a criminal offense. Some may choose to limit their interactions with you. Others could decide to cut off contact with you altogether.
Limited Employment Opportunities
California’s Fair Chance Act prohibits many employers from asking about an applicant’s conviction history before they offer them a job. Regardless, an employer can inquire about an applicant’s criminal history and conduct a background check after they make a conditional offer. If an employer sees that you were convicted of a crime, they may consider other applicants.
Restricted Access to Housing
In California, it is illegal for a landlord to deny people access to housing based solely on criminal convictions. However, a landlord may perform a background check as they screen housing applicants. If you have been convicted of a crime, a landlord could consider this in conjunction with other factors and deny your housing application.
Child Custody Issues
Having a criminal record can impact your ability to maintain custody of your children. For instance, a family court will consider a domestic violence arrest in a child custody or divorce case. If the court has concerns about your conviction and whether your kids will be unsafe if they are left with you, it may limit your time with them.
Loss of Educational Opportunities
A college or university may consider a conviction on your criminal record in its decision to allow you to enroll in classes. It may be inclined to accept school applicants who do not have a criminal record over those who do.
Loss of a Professional License
Depending on your industry, your conviction may prevent you from maintaining a professional license. A licensing board may review your conviction in relation to the nature of your work. Board members could revoke or suspend your license if they deem you unfit to hold it.
Loss of Gun Rights
Getting convicted of domestic violence or other misdemeanor violent crimes can result in a loss of your right to possess a firearm. With a felony conviction, you can face a permanent loss of your gun rights.
Loss of Voting Rights
Those who have been convicted of a felony and are serving a sentence in a state or federal prison or waiting to be transferred to a state or federal prison cannot register or vote in elections in California.
Travel Restrictions
With a felony conviction, you could have your passport denied or revoked, which means you will be unable to travel outside the United States. Meanwhile, a conviction can make you inadmissible to Canada and other countries.
Your legal counsel takes your case seriously. We apply our legal experience and knowledge to your case, taking the guesswork out of the legal process. With your lawyer’s help, you can be on equal footing with the prosecution and boost your chances of getting the case outcome you want.
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Select a Santa Ana Criminal Defense Legal Counsel Who Treats You Like Family
Are you worried about what will happen after you have been arrested for a crime in Southern California? If so, turn to Santa Ana criminal defense attorneys for assistance with preparing you for your case proceedings. We help you overcome legal issues before they result in a conviction.
The attorneys at Simmrin Law Group are some of the leading trial lawyers in California. We want you to feel confident in our ability to assist you with your criminal case.
Give us the opportunity to help you argue against your criminal charge. Contact us for more information about the legal services we offer to those who have been charged with a criminal offense.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form