Sacramento Criminal Defense Lawyer
Hiring a Sacramento criminal defense attorney from our criminal defense law firm can protect your future. We will do everything in our power to get you the most positive outcome possible for your case.
Being arrested by a police officer for a crime is an alarming experience. Having your freedom taken away from you, even temporarily, is scary enough to have you wishing for the best defense you can possibly get.
Even worse than the arrest is the aftermath. Waiting to learn your fate can be so nerve-wracking that many people will sign a plea agreement just to get the experience over with. More often than not, that’s a big mistake.
The anxiety you feel after your arrest and before sentencing has built up in your mind, making the situation seem much worse than it probably is. Signing a plea agreement prematurely can negatively affect your future in many ways.
You can relieve some of that worry and fear by contacting a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer at Crowell Law Offices. Our legal representation can almost certainly get you a better deal than you could yourself, and we may even be able to get the charges dismissed entirely. Give us a call to discuss the options available to your criminal defense case.
Misdemeanor Penalties in Sacramento
All states have sentencing guidelines for different types of crimes, and some states punish misdemeanor crimes based on class, such as a Class C misdemeanor. California law, however, punishes on a crime-by-crime basis.
Many factors can affect your legal penalties, such as your criminal history, the circumstances surrounding the offense, whether the offense is deemed an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony, and, of course, how good your criminal defense attorney is.
To give you an idea of the legal penalties you could be facing, here is a table of penalties for a few common misdemeanor offenses seen in Sacramento cases:
| Crime | Punishment |
| Standard misdemeanor | Fine, up to six months in jail, possible probation, possible treatment program, possible license suspension |
| First-offense DUI | Fines and assessments, up to six months in jail, license suspension, DUI treatment program, possible impound of vehicle, possible probation, ignition interlock device |
| First-offense drug possession | Fine, up to one year in jail, possible drug program, possible probation |
| Prostitution | Fine, up to six months in jail |
| First-offense assault | Fine, up to six months in jail, possible community service, possible probation |
Felony Penalties in Sacramento
Just like misdemeanors, California felonies are punished on an individual basis. There are some guidelines, of course, but the prosecutor has a lot of discretion as to what crime to charge you with and the length of jail or prison time you could receive.
Many crimes are considered “wobblers,” which means they can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies.
Many circumstances will play into your sentencing and can either increase your jail or prison time or minimize it using something called the “sentencing triad.” For example, if you have several prior offenses, the prosecutor will be more likely to charge you with a felony or a longer prison term.
Felony probation is also an option in lieu of serving prison time. In general, you could be sentenced to varying lengths of jail or prison time, depending on the offense. Certain crimes could warrant the death penalty, or you could be placed on probation. A criminal defense lawyer in Sacramento will fight for the best possible outcome.
Sacramento Criminal Cases We Often Handle
We aren’t afraid to take any Sacramento criminal case that comes our way, and we have the experience to handle your case. We’ve been defending our clients for over fifteen years and have handled a range of criminal defense cases, from misdemeanors to felonies. There is no case too small or too big for us to be able to assist you.
Here are some of the Sacramento criminal cases we handle regularly:
- Drug crimes
- DUIs and alcohol-related crimes
- Assault and battery
- Arson
- Robbery and burglary
- Domestic violence
- Expungement
- Gun charges
- Probation violations
- Theft
- Traffic and speeding tickets
- Warrants
- White collar crimes
Other Impacts Your Sacramento Criminal Record Can Have on Your Life
Legal penalties aren’t the only consequences of a criminal conviction in Sacramento. If you’re convicted of a crime, your criminal record could affect you in the following ways:
- Loss of your job or difficulty securing employment
- Loss of certain rights, such as the right to carry a gun
- Family embarrassment
- Increased sentencing penalties for future infractions
- Becoming ineligible for certain government programs and housing opportunities
- Losing custody of your children
What Your Sacramento Criminal Lawyer Will Do for You
Your Sacramento criminal defense attorney will put in a lot of hours to keep you out of jail and make sure your rights aren’t violated. We know that a hard fight can make all the difference between a client winning and losing a case—and we are fighters. Below is a list of just some of the things your attorney will do for you:
- Investigate your criminal defense case to the fullest, including interviewing witnesses, obtaining evidence, collecting police reports, and combing through other evidence
- Utilize all evidence to formulate the best defense for your situation
- Discuss your case with you and get your input regarding negotiating with the prosecution
- Offer you legal advice every step of the way
- Fight to get damaging and unfair evidence thrown out
- Fight to get the best deal possible from the prosecutor
- Defend you in court
Sacramento Criminal Defense FAQ
Understanding your charges and the possible sentencing you’re facing can be overwhelming. You’re bound to have numerous questions to ask your Sacramento criminal attorney.
An experienced criminal attorney is ready to answer all of your questions regarding criminal defense law during an initial consultation. We have answered a few frequently asked questions below for your convenience.
Should I speak with the police after an arrest?
Generally, you shouldn’t speak to the police without a lawyer present. Your statements can be used against you, and this could be detrimental to your defense.
What’s the difference between a dismissal and an expungement?
When your lawyer aggressively argues your case and gets evidence thrown out or shows the prosecution that its case is weak, the prosecutor on your case may decide to drop the charges, which means you have not been convicted of a crime. An expungement is when you ask the court to “erase” a past charge or conviction from your record.
How can I avoid going to trial for a criminal defense case?
In some cases, your attorney can help you avoid a jury trial. Your Sacramento defense lawyer can negotiate with the prosecutor. The prosecutor could either dismiss the case against you or reduce the charges, at which point you could plead to the lesser charge.
Call a Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorney
Being arrested for any crime is scary. The experience can cause great upset in your life, but that’s only temporary. Being convicted of a crime, on the other hand, can cause turmoil in your life that could last forever. Avoiding a conviction or getting your charges reduced is perhaps the best thing you can do for your future.
Speak with a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer with Crowell Law Offices about legal representation for your case today. We have the criminal defense know-how to defend you, whether you’ve been arrested for a misdemeanor or a major felony. Give our criminal defense law firm a call at 916-303-2800 or fill out the online contact form below.
