Criminal Defense Practice Areas
If you are charged with a crime in San Diego, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to help guide you through the process. The consequences of a criminal case can be severe and follow you for the rest of your life. For example, the right to own a gun, the right to vote, or the right to join the military can be taken away. This is why it’s vital to have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side.
SB Legal Firm is run by Joanne P. Sanchez and Lisbette J. Baltazar, both of whom have over 13 years of experience in law. Having either of them on your side will put you in a better position to take on your case.
DUI
If you’ve been recently charged with Driving Under the Influence, a San Diego, California DUI attorney can help defend you. After being charged, it’s important to take the proper actions to protect yourself from a DUI conviction.
Drug Crimes
In San Diego, the number of drug crimes and activities continues to rise. Offenses relating to illegal drugs include drug possession, manufacturing, selling, money laundering, and anything related to illicit drugs.
Federal Crimes
It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn if you’ve recently been charged with a federal crime. These are offenses against criminal or statute laws developed by Congress and require a San Diego federal crimes defense lawyer.
Internet Crimes
Have you recently been accused of an internet crime in San Diego? If so, the right course of action to take is to hire a California internet crime lawyer as soon as possible.
Juvenile Crimes
If your child has been recently charged with a juvenile crime, you must hire an attorney for juvenile crime defense to protect their future. Many young adults and children make mistakes at a young age; this shouldn’t have to affect the rest of their lives.
Military Crimes
If you’re a military member facing serious charges and being charged in civilian state court, hiring a civilian-military defense lawyer might be in your best interest. In addition to a court-martial, a criminal charge may have repercussions in your civilian life, which is why you will need a California military law attorney.
Sex Crimes
Being charged with a sex crime is a severe offense, and it can end up affecting your entire life. You will need a thorough knowledge of the law and how to get the best outcome for your case when presenting your defense at trial. You can find here a defense attorney for sexual offenses who will be able to help guide you through the legal proceedings.
Theft Crimes
Theft crimes refer to those offenses that involve taking someone else’s property without their consent. These crimes can range from petty theft to grand theft, depending on the property’s value. It is important to seek the help of a theft crime attorney or a lawyer for theft if you are facing any charges related to theft. These crimes are taken very seriously by law enforcement agencies, and the consequences can be severe, including imprisonment, fines, and a permanent criminal record.
Three Strike Crimes
The three-strikes law in California was enacted in 1994, and it states that if a person convicted of two serious or violent felonies is convicted of a third felony, they must serve 25 years to life in prison.
White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are defined as non-violent offenses committed by business and government professionals. The terms white-collar crimes and corporate crimes are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction between the two.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence happens when someone close to someone threatens or abuses them. This is usually a family member or a romantic interest. In California, domestic violence charges are taken seriously. The result of a domestic violence case can be jail time, restitution payments, anger management courses, or even jail time, and you will benefit from the representation of a domestic violence defense attorney.
Battery Crimes
If you were charged with battery in California, it is important to understand what that means. While “assault and battery” is a common-enough phrase, assault and battery are two distinct crimes in California. Someone may be charged with assault if they attempted to hurt someone else, even when there was no physical contact. However, physical contact is a required element of the crime of battery.
Restraining Orders
A restraining order, also called a protective order in California, is a legal tool designed to protect someone (the “protected person”) from being abused, harassed, stalked or threatened. The person subject to the order is referred to as the “restrained person,” and must closely adhere to the terms of the order. It is important that restrained persons fully understand the implications that come with restraining orders.
Hit & Run
Drivers involved in accidents are legally required to stop, provide reasonable assistance, and exchange contact information with the other party. In the moment though, fear, uncertainty, inexperience, or other reasons can lead to a driver leaving the scene of the accident. Hit-and-run crimes in California are taken seriously. If convicted on the charges, you will likely face significant consequences that could impact you in multiple ways for the rest of your life.
Military Diversion
As an active duty service member or veteran of the U.S. military facing criminal charges, you need a skilled San Diego military defense attorney in your corner — one with an in-depth understanding of civilian. The experienced, trusted military criminal defense lawyers at S&B Legal understand military culture and its unique challenges. We represent military personnel in state civil courts in San Diego County and in U.S. Magistrate Court, defending our clients against a range of charges in state courts (not court martial crimes). We are also well-versed in California’s military diversion program.
Warrant Recall
If there is an active arrest or bench warrant for you or a loved one, know that this is a serious matter. However, in many cases, it is possible to have the warrant cleared without having to appear in court. Warrant recall in San Diego is not automatic, but an experienced lawyer for warrants can help you take the necessary steps to avoid jail time. With significant experience in the California criminal justice system, S&B Legal is the trusted law firm you need in your corner.
Expungement
If you want your criminal record expunged, taking a do-it-yourself approach could result in nothing but frustration and wasted time. Working with a knowledgeable, experienced expungement attorney in San Diego can significantly improve your chances of a successful expungement. The team of felony expungement lawyers at S&B Legal is committed to helping every client obtain the best possible outcome for their criminal case or expungement.
Restraining Order Violations
A restraining order is a protective measure issued by the court to prevent an individual from contacting or approaching another person. These orders can take various forms, including temporary restraining orders (TROs), preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions, each offering a unique level of protection based on the specifics of the case.
Pre-file Investigation
A pre-file investigation is a critical legal service that occurs before formal charges are filed in a criminal case. Individuals who seek this service may have been involved in situations like a hit and run, insurance fraud, or other activities that law enforcement is investigating. In these cases, hiring legal counsel can help prevent self-incrimination.
Motion To Vacate Judgment
California Penal Code 1473.7 allows individuals with criminal convictions to seek post-conviction relief by filing a motion to vacate a judgment. This law is particularly significant for San Diego residents facing immigration consequences due to past convictions.
