Top Martinez, CA Criminal Defense Lawyers Near You
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Glendale Office | Serving All Residents of California, CA
When Results Matter Most, Put 42 Years of Criminal Defense to Work For You! Open 24/7. Free Consultation.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Redwood City Office | Serving Martinez, CA
600 Allerton St, Suite 201, Redwood City, CA 94063
Get assistance for your Criminal Defense issue in the Martinez, California area. Peter F. Goldscheider Law Offices can help.
Free Consultation
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Oakland Office | Serving Martinez, CA
7677 Oakport Street, Suite 1120, Oakland, CA 94621
John L Burris can help you find legal solutions for your Criminal Defense issue. The practice serves the Martinez, California area.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Walnut Creek Office | Serving Martinez, CA
1701 N California Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Other Nearby Offices
Law Office of Roberta Brooks has experience helping clients with their Criminal Defense needs in Martinez, California.
Free Consultation
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Alameda Office | Serving Martinez, CA
1101 Marina Village Pkwy, Suite 201, Alameda, CA 94501
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Pelta Law has experience helping clients with their Criminal Defense needs in Martinez, California.
Free Consultation
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Berkeley Office | Serving Martinez, CA
803 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
Need help with Criminal Defense in California? Jayne Law Group, P.C. helps clients in the Martinez area.
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
1 Sansome Street, Suite 3500, San Francisco, CA 94104
Other Nearby Offices
Contact Law Offices of Severo, PLC for your Criminal Defense needs in California.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Hayward Office | Serving Martinez, CA
225 West Winton Avenue, Suite 208, Hayward, CA 94544
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Assisting people in California with their Criminal Defense needs. Learn More.
Free Consultation
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Redwood City Office | Serving Martinez, CA
600 Allerton Street, Suite 202, Redwood City, CA 94063
Law Offices of Dean E. Johnson, is a law firm in Martinez, California with experience resolving cases in Criminal Defense.
Free Consultation
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Oakland Office | Serving Martinez, CA
7677 Oakport Street, Suite 1120, Oakland, CA 94621
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
Airport Corporate Center, #1120, 7677 Oak Port Street, San Francisco, CA 94621
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
50 California St, Suite 3300, San Francisco, CA 94111
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Oakland Office | Serving Martinez, CA
420 Third Street #200, Oakland, CA 94607
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Pleasanton Office | Serving Martinez, CA
6689 Owens Drive, Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Oakland Office | Serving Martinez, CA
1970 Broadway, Suite 1145, Oakland, CA 94612
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Oakland Office | Serving Martinez, CA
420 Third Street, Suite 250, Oakland, CA 94607
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
201 Spear Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, CA 94105
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
101 California Street, 48th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
505 Montgomery St, 13th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Walnut Creek Office | Serving Martinez, CA
1333 North California Boulevard, Suite 450, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
1388 Sutter Street, Suite 805, San Francisco, CA 94109
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
235 Pine Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
4 Embarcadero Center, 27th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
Criminal Defense Lawyers | Redwood City Office | Serving Martinez, CA
600 Allerton St., Suite 201, Redwood City, CA 94063
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
One Embarcadero Center, 32nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
Criminal Defense Lawyers | San Francisco Office | Serving Martinez, CA
One Market Plaza, Spear Tower, Suite 2200, San Francisco, CA 94105
Martinez Criminal Defense Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Criminal Defense attorneys in Martinez and checks their standing with California bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria- Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
- Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
- Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
- Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
Are You Facing Criminal Charges?
If you are being investigated for or have been accused of a criminal offense, now is the time to seek out the legal help you need. No matter the charge you may be facing, a person should be considered innocent until proven otherwise. Working with a Martinez criminal law attorney can help to protect your legal rights.
Different Types of Criminal Charges
In the state of California, criminal charges are classified in levels of severity ranging from:
- Minor infractions like traffic tickets or speeding violations,
- Misdemeanors, or
- Felony or aggravated felony charges.
Each criminal charge carries its own potential punishment, which can include fines, probation, community service, and serving time in jail. Depending on your circumstances, like any prior criminal history, these penalties can increase in severity. Reading about criminal law and your rights can help you see the importance of a solid defense.
What Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?
The goal of a criminal defense lawyer is to help you navigate the criminal justice system and help you obtain the most favorable outcome possible for your particular situation. A criminal defense lawyer will ensure that law enforcement respects your legal rights if they are investigating you or have arrested you. Defense attorneys can help with a number of procedural issues as well, including:
- Reducing your bail
- Challenging your arrest
- Throwing out any incriminating statements you made to the police
- Determining whether any of your rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution have been violated
- Answering any questions you might have regarding your criminal charge
- Working with the prosecutor to obtain a plea deal
Your attorney will also conduct their own investigation to look for the best strategy to defend against your charges, including representing you at trial if necessary.
Should you accept a plea deal?
Police and prosecutors count on making defendants feel like they have no other option but to accept a plea deal, such as threatening to seek harsher punishment if you take your case to trial. You should only accept a plea deal after your attorney has taken a careful look at your case and the evidence for and against you. In some cases, a plea deal may be beneficial than taking your case to trial, but this is not a decision you should make on your own. It should be with someone who knows the law.What makes a good Martinez criminal defense attorney?
A good criminal defense attorney knows the law here in Martinez and does not back down when police and prosecutors do not respect your rights or try to pressure you into taking a plea deal that is not in your best interest. You should also look for an attorney who has a long track record of success in cases like yours, including trial victories in the state of California.
When should you ask for an attorney?
You should ask for an attorney as soon as you learn that you are under suspicion of committing a crime. If police are investigating you and “just want to ask you a couple of questions,” you should politely refuse and ask for a lawyer’s help. Also, if you are arrested, you should ask to contact a lawyer as soon as possible before answering any other questions. An attorney can speak to police and prosecutors on your behalf and make sure they respect your rights.Should you accept a plea deal?
Police and prosecutors count on making defendants feel like they have no other option but to accept a plea deal, such as threatening to seek harsher punishment if you take your case to trial. You should only accept a plea deal after your attorney has taken a careful look at your case and the evidence for and against you. In some cases, a plea deal may be more beneficial than taking your case to trial, but this is not a decision you should make on your own. It should be with someone who knows the law of California in order to ensure you are getting the best outcome possible.
When should you ask for an attorney?
No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. If you learn you are under investigation or a suspect of a criminal investigation, asking for an attorney can be critical. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.
If the police are investigating you and tell you they “just want to ask you a couple of questions,” you have the right to politely refuse and ask for a lawyer’s help. An attorney can speak to police and prosecutors on your behalf and make sure they respect your rights, as well as provide you with legal counsel before you answer any other questions.
Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney
- How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
- How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
- What is the likely outcome for my case?
In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.
What to Expect from an Initial Consultation
- Seek to determine whether the attorney can represent you. There is no one-size-fits-all legal solution and it may turn out your needs are better served by an attorney in a different specialization.
- It’s important to find a legal ally who is both competent in the law and someone you can trust to protect your interests.
- Discuss how the practice’s billing works and discuss possible additional charges or fees that may arise during or after the resolution of your case.
An attorney consultation should provide you with enough information so that you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with legal help.
Types of legal fees:
Bill by the hour: Many attorneys bill by the hour. How much an attorney bills you per hour will vary based on a number of factors. For instance, an attorney’s hourly fee may fluctuate based on whether that hour is spent representing you in court or doing research on your case. Attorneys in one practice area may bill you more than attorneys in a different practice area.
Contingent fee: Some lawyers will accept payment via contingent fee. In this arrangement, the lawyer receives a percentage of the total monetary recovery if you win your lawsuit. In sum, the lawyer only gets paid if you win. Contingent fee agreements are limited to specific practice areas in civil law.
Flat fee: For “routine” legal work where the attorney generally knows the amount of time and resources necessary to complete the task, he/she may be willing to bill you a flat fee for services performed.
Common legal terms explained
Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.