Sacramento Criminal Defense Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

California laws and procedures related to criminal defense are complicated and require a skilled criminal defense lawyer to properly navigate through the process. Law Offices of Hedberg & Nicholson fights for the rights of alleged criminal offenders in the city of Sacramento and throughout Northern California. The Firm delivers personalized attention to its clients by keeping case information detailed and accessible, and provides exceptional criminal defense legal solutions related to the following matters:

Criminal Defense:

Individuals found to violate a criminal law, whether through their own admission of guilt or through the determination of a jury are subject to fines, imprisonment, probation and community service, among other penalties. The outcome of any criminal case depends upon the facts surrounding the crime charged, the strength of the evidence, the legal validity of law enforcement and courtroom procedure, and the goals and strategy of the government and defense. Sacramento criminal defense Attorneys Hedberg & Nicholson will navigate you through this complicated legal process.

Felonies:

Felony crimes include drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence as well as the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.

Misdemeanors:

Some people think of misdemeanors as minor offenses. Sacramento misdemeanor Attorneys Hedberg & Nicholson understand that a conviction for any crime can have disastrous consequences. Since a misdemeanor conviction can result in substantial jail time and the loss of important rights and freedoms, they know such cases are anything but minor.

Additionally, if you are convicted of certain misdemeanors, you could:

• Lose your driver's license
• Be deported or excluded from the United States, if you are not a citizen
• Be required to undergo mental health, drug or alcohol treatment
• Lose your job or be prevented from working at certain types of jobs
• Be placed under lengthy court supervision

Hedberg & Nicholson routinely appear on misdemeanor cases in courts throughout Northern California. They also assist clients who want to remove or expunge old misdemeanor convictions from their record.

Drug Crimes:

Over the past few decades, the government has amassed armies of law enforcement personnel whose sole purpose is to pursue, arrest and prosecute violations of the nation's drug laws. Those laws have become increasingly severe, with offenders frequently receiving very long mandatory minimum prison sentences. The severity also extends to drug forfeiture laws, which the government uses to seize bank accounts, houses, cars, boats and other property, even when it cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has been committed.

Sacramento drug possession Attorneys Hedberg & Nicholson have more than 25 years of experience in state and federal courts representing clients in all types of drug cases. They treat each case individually, finding the right solution for each unique client. Some cases may require them to perform legal research and investigation to challenge the government's tactics in pursuing the client and invading his or her private life. In other cases, they will have to negotiate a plea bargain. In still others, they will prepare for and go to trial. Some cases usually call for a combination of some or all of these tactics.

DUI:

"DUI" stands for Driving Under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance, to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for at least 7 years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.

Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing and shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. For more information, please contact Sacramento domestic violence Attorneys Hedberg & Nicholson.

If you or someone you know in Sacramento, or throughout Northern California, needs the legal counsel or assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, please call Law Offices of Hedberg & Nicholson today at 1-866-637-3351, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free initial consultation.