An arrest should be taken seriously, regardless of the crime you are accused of. If the charges lead to a conviction, you could have a criminal record that limits your employment, housing, immigration benefits, and even access to your kids in child custody cases. You may also face serious criminal sanctions such as fines and jail time. If you aren’t convicted the record of the arrest can remain on your background unless you take affirmative steps to seal the arrest or be declared factually innocent.
If you were arrested, served a search warrant, or asked for an interview with law enforcement, call a San Francisco criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Having a capable and confident criminal attorney on your side to explain the process and provide support can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
One of the worst mistakes a defendant could make is to answer police questions without a lawyer present or speaking on their behalf. Before police interrogate you, they must read your Miranda rights, informing you of the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present. It is best to be firm in requesting to speak with an attorney and refusing to talk to police or answer questions before the attorney arrives.
California Penal Code §851.5 offers arrestees the right to make three free phone calls in the local calling area. This could include an attorney, a family member, or a bail bond agent. Within three hours of the arrest, an officer must ask whether the arrestee is responsible for children and, if so, allow two more free phone calls to arrange for childcare. If necessary, the arrestee can make additional calls at their own expense.
In the hours after an arrest, the District Attorney reviews the police report and other evidence and decides whether to file formal charges. If the District Attorney has not had the chance to review the matter or make a charging decision the individual will be released. Being released does not mean that charges will not be filed in the future unless the DA specifically rejects the charges. Otherwise, the DA has until the statute of limitations expires to make a decision about whether or not to charge the matter formally. A skilled criminal defense attorney in San Francisco could approach the prosecutor at this time to present the suspect’s side of the case and point out weaknesses in the evidence. In many cases, the prosecutor can be persuaded not to file charges, and the suspect can then pursue remedies to clean up and seal the record of the arrest.
If the prosecutor decides to bring charges, a criminal attorney could try to get the suspect released from custody at the arraignment. Except for those charged with capital crimes or who have a history of missing court hearings, California Penal Code §1270 allows suspects to be released on their own recognizance. Judges have the discretion to impose bail and other conditions of release, such as wearing an electronic monitoring device, entering drug or alcohol treatment, surrendering firearms, surrendering passports, and other restrictions.
Pre-trial takes place before the trial phase. During this time, a criminal defense lawyer will gather evidence about the crime, law enforcement’s investigation, the arrest, and the events after the suspect was detained. If there is any indication that law enforcement violated the suspect’s rights, the attorney could bring a pre-trial motion such as a:
In addition to preparing pre-trial motions, a San Francisco criminal lawyer will work to identify weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case and use them to negotiate the best possible outcome for the defendant. Even if the outright dismissal of all charges is not obtained, a solution such as first-offender diversion, pre-trial diversion to a treatment program that leads to a dismissal, or an alternate plea to lesser charges and reduced penalties is possible in many cases.
Sometimes, the best strategy in a criminal case is to force the prosecutor to prove their case at trial. The law defines most crimes with several elements, and a prosecutor must prove each element of the crime to get a conviction. A skilled local criminal attorney could attack any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case to raise doubt in a juror’s mind.
We do not recommend trying to navigate the criminal justice system alone. Even though the Constitution requires that everyone be presumed innocent until proved guilty – it is an unfortunate reality that police and prosecutors will assume you are guilty and may use various tactics to collect evidence of your presumed guilt. It is important to have a San Francisco criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights and advise you throughout the legal proceedings. Call our firm today to learn how a legal advocate could fight for you.
The Nieves Law Firm is dedicated to providing aggressive criminal defense representation to working professionals who have found themselves in trouble with the law. We show up to win, and we’re not afraid to fight aggressively to accomplish our client’s goals.
We understand that being accused of a crime can be a scary and confusing experience. That’s why we take the stress off our clients by handling the full scope of their legal situation from the initial consultation to the final outcome. Our bilingual attorneys and staff are here to ensure that our clients feel heard and understood every step of the way.
As one of the largest criminal defense teams in Oakland and the Greater Bay Area, we have the resources and experience to handle even the most complex cases. Our experienced team examines various aspects of your case and, perhaps most importantly, we genuinely care about our clients and their future. We take the time to learn about their goals and priorities so that we can achieve an outcome that allows them to move past their mistakes and focus on the future they want. When you work with us, you become part of our team.
Our skilled criminal defense attorneys have experience handling a wide range of criminal cases. With a deep understanding of the legal system and a track record of successful cases, our lawyers are committed to achieving the best possible outcome in your case.
When facing a criminal charge, having dedicated and experienced attorneys on your side is critical. At The Nieves Law Firm, we understand the gravity of your situation, and our criminal defense attorneys provide unwavering support and legal guidance.
From the moment you reach out to us, we prioritize your well-being and legal interests. Our criminal lawyers are with you every step of the way, from arrest to hearings and beyond, to ensure that your rights are protected. Whether you’re facing charges related to DUI, drug offenses, assault, sex crimes or any other allegation, we have the knowledge and courtroom experience to fight vigorously on your behalf.
We believe in the power of collaboration and will actively involve you in the decision-making process, ensuring you are well-informed and empowered to make the best choices for your defense. Our goal is not only to navigate the legal complexities but also to provide you with the peace of mind and reassurance you deserve during this challenging time.
Give us a call or contact us online so we can schedule a meeting to discuss your legal needs.
Schedule a meeting with our intake coordinator so we can determine the best plan to solve your legal problems.
We work to resolve your legal problems so you can focus on what is most important
Case Dismissed after Completion of Drug Court
All Charges Dismissed and Property Ordered to be Returned to Client
Deferred Entry of Judgment
Case Dismissed
Case Dismissed without Trial
Motion to Vacate Granted
Restraining Order Denied and Sealed
Both Cases Dismissed Prior to Trial
No Charges Filed
No Criminal Charges Filed & Detention
No Jail Time & No Sex Offender Registration
Pled to 1 Petty Misdemeanor and Not Required to Register as Sex Offender
