San Bernardino Criminal Defense Lawyer

San Bernardino Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges in San Bernardino, the stakes are high. Navigating the legal system without proper representation can lead to significant consequences, including fines, jail time, or a permanent criminal record. A San Bernardino criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights, explain the complexities of the criminal justice system, and build a strong defense for your case.

Whether it’s a DUI charge or more serious offenses, the law firm of My SoCal Lawyers is standing by to support you through the legal process. We can guide you toward the most beneficial outcome for your situation.

Why Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

The legal system is complicated, and even minor criminal charges can have a lasting impact on your life. From affecting your ability to gain employment to limiting your housing opportunities, a criminal record can follow you for years. Our San Bernardino criminal defense lawyers can provide critical support in several ways:

• Understanding the Charges: Criminal charges can range from misdemeanors—like petty theft—to felonies, such as violent crimes. Our attorneys can fully explain the charges you’re facing and their potential consequences.
• Protecting Your Rights: From the moment you’re arrested, certain constitutional rights protect you, including your right to remain silent and your right to legal counsel. Our defense lawyers can make sure your rights are upheld throughout the process.
• Building a Defense Strategy: Every case is unique, and our criminal defense lawyers can tailor a strategy to your situation. Whether it’s proving innocence, negotiating a plea deal, or reducing the charges, our attorneys can advocate for you.

How Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend a Case?

A strong legal defense is key to achieving a favorable outcome in any criminal case. Our criminal defense lawyers can develop a defense strategy based on the facts, circumstances, and legal precedents relevant to your situation. We can defend you in the following ways:

Challenge the Evidence

A central part of any defense strategy is questioning the evidence presented by the prosecution. This can involve:

• Improper Collection of Evidence: Evidence that was obtained without a proper search warrant or violates your constitutional rights can be thrown out of court.
• Questioning Witnesses: We can cross-examine witnesses and challenge their credibility—or the accuracy of their testimony.
• Forensic Evidence Issues: In cases involving forensic evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints, we can work with experts to challenge the reliability or interpretation of the evidence.

Establish Alibis or Alternate Theories

If there’s evidence that you were not at the scene of the crime, we can present this as part of your defense.

Self-Defense or Justification

In cases involving assault and violent crimes, claiming self-defense or that your actions were otherwise justified under the circumstances can be a valid strategy.

Plea Bargains and Reduced Sentences

If the evidence against you is strong, our defense lawyers can negotiate with prosecutors for a reduced charge or sentence. This could involve pleading guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for a more lenient penalty, such as probation instead of jail time.

Filing Motions to Dismiss

In some cases, we can file motions to dismiss the charges entirely. This could be due to insufficient evidence, procedural errors, or violations of your constitutional rights.

What Types of Cases Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle?

My SoCal Lawyers handles a wide range of cases, from minor infractions to serious felonies. Some common types of cases include:

• DUI: Driving under the influence is a serious charge in California that can lead to fines, license suspension, and jail time.
• Drug-Related Offenses: Drug charges can vary from possession of small amounts of a controlled substance to trafficking or manufacturing drugs. In California, drug laws are strict, and a conviction can lead to serious consequences.
• Theft and Property Crimes: Theft crimes—such as shoplifting, burglary, or robbery—can range from misdemeanors to felonies. Depending on the value of the stolen property and whether violence was used or not, penalties can be severe.
• Assault and Violent Crimes: Violent crime charges—such as assault, domestic violence, or murder—carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.
• White-Collar Crimes: Fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crimes are considered white-collar crimes. These cases often involve complex legal and financial issues, making experienced legal representation crucial.

The Process of Filing a Case

If you’ve been charged with a crime, the process of defending your case starts immediately upon arrest. Here’s an overview of the typical process:

1. Arraignment: After an arrest, the first step is the arraignment. Here, you’ll be formally charged and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. At this point, we can begin building your defense and may recommend how to plead based on the evidence available.
2. Pre-Trial Motions: During the pre-trial phase, we can file various motions, such as a motion to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges. These motions can help shape the direction of your case before it goes to trial.
3. Discovery Phase: In the discovery phase, our attorneys and the prosecutor exchange evidence and information. We can review all the evidence against you and look for inconsistencies, errors, or legal violations.
4. Trial or Plea Deal: If your case goes to trial, we can present your case before a judge or jury, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and argue for your acquittal.

When you’re facing criminal charges, the stakes are high. Whether it’s a minor misdemeanor or a serious felony, your freedom, reputation, and future can be at risk.

That’s why My SoCal Lawyers can be crucial in defending individuals against various criminal charges. Our law firm can make sure you receive a fair trial and have the opportunity to defend your rights under the law.

Why Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

The criminal justice system is complex, and going through it without proper representation can result in serious consequences. Our criminal defense lawyers can navigate the legal system while protecting your rights at every stage of the process.

Protecting Your Rights

One of the primary roles of a defense lawyer is to make sure your rights are protected. From the moment you are arrested or charged with a crime, our attorneys can work to prevent any violations of your constitutional rights, such as illegal searches or improper interrogation techniques.

Navigating the Criminal Justice System

Our defense lawyers are well-versed in the workings of the criminal justice system. We understand how local courts operate, and we can use that knowledge to your advantage. Our attorneys can file motions, request evidence, and represent you in court appearances, ensuring a solid defense strategy at each step.

Skill in Negotiating Plea Deals

Not all criminal cases go to trial. In fact, many cases are resolved through plea bargains. Our criminal defense lawyers can negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf, working to reduce charges, minimize penalties, or secure alternative sentencing options, such as community service or probation.

Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer for a DUI?

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most common charges in California. While it might seem like a relatively minor offense, a DUI conviction can have long-term effects on your life. Here’s why hiring a criminal defense attorney for a DUI case is essential:

• Severity of Penalties: In California, DUI penalties can include hefty fines, license suspension, and even jail time for repeat offenses. We can explain the specific penalties associated with your case and work to minimize them.
• Complexity of DUI Cases: DUI cases involve a range of evidence, including breathalyzer tests, blood tests, and field sobriety tests. We can scrutinize this evidence, looking for flaws in how it was collected or handled, which can be critical to your defense.
• Protecting Your License: In addition to criminal penalties, a DUI can result in the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. We can represent you in hearings with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to challenge the suspension and protect your driving privileges.
• Negotiating Alternative Sentences: In some cases, we can negotiate alternative sentencing options, such as probation, alcohol education programs, or community service. These can help you reduce, or even avoid, jail time.

Penalties for a DUI Conviction

A DUI conviction can lead to a variety of penalties, including:

• Fines
• Jail time
• License suspension
• Installation of an ignition interlock device
• Increased insurance rates

For repeat offenders—or those whose DUI case involves injury or property damage—the penalties are even more severe.

DMV Hearing

One unique aspect of DUI cases in California is the administrative hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). After a DUI arrest, you have a limited window to request a hearing to challenge the automatic suspension of your driver’s license.

The office of My SoCal Lawyers can represent you in this hearing and work to protect your driving privileges.

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in California?

One of the first questions people ask when they need an attorney is how much they cost. The truth is, compared to going to jail, the cost is worth it.

Several factors can affect the cost of hiring an attorney, like hours worked, the intricacy of the case, and the possibility of countering charges with a claim. It is always wise to have an upfront conversation about costs during your consultation.

The right attorney could mean the difference between serious prison time and living your life, so reach out to My SoCal Lawyers as soon as possible.

What Should I Do If I’m Arrested in San Bernardino?

If you are arrested in San Bernardino, it’s important to take immediate steps to protect your legal rights.

1. Remain Calm: Stay calm, and comply with the officers’ instructions. Do not resist arrest, as this could lead to additional charges.
2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent: Anything you say can be used against you in court. Politely decline to answer any questions until you have a lawyer present.
3. Request an Attorney: As soon as possible, request to speak with a criminal defense lawyer and give us a call. Having one of our attorneys by your side from the outset can prevent you from saying or doing anything that could hurt your case.
4. Document the Incident: If possible, try to remember, and write down the details of your arrest—like what led to the arrest, your treatment by the officers, whether they read you your rights or not, etc. This information can be helpful to us when we are building your case.

Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help With Expunging a Criminal Record?

A criminal conviction can follow you for years, affecting your ability to get a job, housing, or even a loan. In California, there are options for having certain criminal records expunged or sealed, effectively removing them from public access.

Here’s how My SoCal Lawyers can assist in the process of expunging a criminal record:

Determine Eligibility

The first step is determining whether you are eligible for expungement. Not all convictions can be expunged, so it’s essential to verify that your specific conviction qualifies. In general, you may be eligible for expungement if:

• You have successfully completed probation.
• If no probation was ordered, a year has passed since your conviction.
• You are not currently charged with, on probation for, or serving a sentence for another criminal offense.

Some crimes, such as certain serious felonies (like sexual offenses against minors), are not eligible for expungement.

Review and Prepare Court Documents

Once your eligibility is confirmed, we can gather all the relevant court records and documents related to your case. These records include details about the original conviction, completion of probation or sentence, and any other legal obligations, such as fines or restitution.

File the Expungement Petition

After preparing the forms, we can file the petition with the court where the conviction took place.

Serve the District Attorney

In most cases, the local District Attorney’s Office must be notified of the petition for expungement. We can make sure the DA is properly served with the necessary documents, and our team can be prepared to respond to any opposition from the prosecution.

Court Hearing (If Necessary)

Not all expungement cases require a court hearing. If yours does, we can present evidence of your rehabilitation and lack of further criminal activity on your behalf.

Contact My SoCal Lawyers

Being charged with a crime in San Bernardino is a serious matter that requires immediate attention and strong legal representation.

That’s why My SoCal Lawyers is ready to protect your rights, navigate the complexities of the legal system, and provide a defense tailored to your specific case.

If you are facing criminal charges, contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let us support you through this difficult time.