While commonly interchanged, battery and assault are two different crimes. California law defines assault as an illegal attempt coupled with the ability to inflict an injury on somebody else. On the other hand, battery is the deliberate application of force to another person. In other words, assault is attempted violence, while battery is the violence itself.

The penalties are harsh whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. For instance, if convicted with simple battery or assault, you will pay fines, perform community service, and spend six months in jail. The penalties can also be increased if aggravating factors like the use of weapons and crime against a peace officer exist. 

The criminal penalties and collateral consequences of assault and battery can be detrimental. Only a skilled lawyer can advise you of your rights and defend your name and reputation if charged with battery or assault. At San Diego Criminal Attorney, we do not presume guilt. We recognize that there are two sides to the story. We can review your case facts and identify gaps and errors in the prosecutor's investigation to assist you in avoiding conviction. We are dedicated to ensuring our clients obtain the most favorable case outcomes. We invite you to contact us today at 619-880-5474 to discuss the case facts.

Police and prosecutors take domestic violence allegations seriously. Generally, when the police find domestic violence evidence on the crime scene, they arrest the individual they believe is accountable.

However, the law enforcer can make mistakes when responding to the situation, identify the wrong individual as the perpetrator, and often overreact. Once you are detained, you risk facing severe charges. Even when the victim drops the charges, the prosecution can still proceed with the case. If you have been charged with domestic violence, you should promptly reach the San Diego Criminal Attorney legal team to discuss and review the case circumstances.

Our accomplished lawyers recognize the essence of thoroughly exploring different legal defenses since DV in San Diego carries severe penalties and consequences, including restraining orders, restitution, fines, and serving time.

A common defense in California DV is self-defense. If you were not the initial aggressor, we could help you prove that the force you applied was reasonable to defend yourself under the case facts. We can also help defendants argue that the alleged victim consented to the behavior.

Moreover, DV allegations stem from false accusations. The accuser can be attempting to gain an advantage in a family law issue like a child support dispute or seeking vengeance against the defendant. If we can show the victim's allegations are not credible, you can beat the criminal charges.

If charged with a driving crime, the stakes are high. A conviction can lead to incarceration, huge fines, increased auto insurance rates, and potential loss of livelihood. You should seek legal representation, and we can assist you in addressing the violation effectively.

At San Diego Criminal Attorney, we have successfully assisted driving crimes defendants have their charges reduced to less severe crimes or even dismissed. Our previous clients include residents of San Diego, guests on vacation, juveniles, and college students. Some of the cases we handle include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Driving with an invalid driver's license
• Driving with a suspended driver's license
• Hit and run crime
• Evading a police officer
• Reckless driving

Many of our clients do not have a previous conviction; they neither understand the California criminal justice system nor the potential consequences. They have a fear of the unknown and rely on our guidance.

When you speak with the defense lawyers during your no-obligation initial consultation, we will:

• analyze the case, and
• look for matters that can help you obtain lesser charges, a not guilty verdict, or even case dismissal, depending on your case facts

We are knowledgeable and meticulous in our defense approach, drawing on many years of combined experience to ensure you achieve the most favorable case outcome to the highest degree of our capability. We will ensure you understand the available options, allowing you to make informed decisions about your defense.

Under the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, controlled substances are classified into five classes. Controlled substances and drugs with a higher abuse rate and more potential for physical and psychological dependence are deemed most dangerous and carry severe penalties.

Drug offenses penalties you face depend on factors like:

• The drug involved
• Quantity
• Your intent (possession, sale, manufacturing, cultivation, trafficking, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute or sell)
• Your criminal record

While most simple possession crimes are misdemeanors, they can still lead to penalties like probations, fines, and serving time. Therefore, if you have been charged with a drug-related crime, you should immediately contact a lawyer.

San Diego Criminal Attorney is an aggressive law firm experienced in representing clients facing drug charges. We know that you can win a drug case by challenging illegal search and seizure by filing a motion to suppress evidence. Thorough cross-examination of law enforcers' conduct exposes lies at motion hearings and trials. It also exposes weaknesses in critical elements of the charge. Our legal team will leave no stone unturned to ensure your rights are not violated and that you have a viable legal defense to avoid a conviction.

You violate fraud law anytime you engage in conduct that leads to an undeserved or unfair gain for yourself and results in loss or harm to somebody else.

In other words, the desire to escape criminal culpability and financial gain drives fraudulent actions. There is a significant number of fraudulent behaviors that California laws penalize, including:

• Insurance fraud laws
• Real estate and mortgage laws
• Forgery
• Identity theft
• Fraud crime involving the elderly
• Check fraud
• Securities fraud

Most fraud criminal activities are wobblers; the prosecutor can charge the crime as a felony or misdemeanor depending on your criminal record and case facts.

Additionally, most fraud crimes are federal offenses. You can be charged with the crime in state and federal courts, resulting in increased criminal penalties.

Other penalties of a fraud crime include:

• Deportation (the crime is a crime of moral turpitude)
• Professional license revocation or suspension
• The government will seize the money or property involved in the fraudulent conduct

Luckily there are several legal defenses that the skilled lawyers at San Diego Criminal Attorney can present on your behalf. Common defenses include the following:

• You did not have fraudulent intent
• You deserve a case acquittal based on entrapment
• Mistaken identity

Each gun offense is complex, whether a state or federal crime. They carry severe consequences, including heavy fines and sentences.

Typically, firearm charges can stem from confusion. Gun laws are not always clear, and carrying a firearm into an airport, educational facility, or courthouse by mistake can lead to severe charges. Consequently, you will need a lawyer familiar with California firearm laws.

A skilled firearm defense lawyer can look at your case facts, analyze your charges, and develop defenses in your best interests. The competent team of lawyers at San Diego Criminal Attorney can assist you with the defense, conduct discovery, help you understand your allegations, and fight for your freedom.

When even a conviction is inevitable, your lawyer can assist in your sentencing phrase. Your lawyer can effectively argue for less severe charges.

Time is of the essence when it comes to criminal charges. Contacting your lawyer immediately after your arrest is essential to your criminal case's success. The more time your lawyer has to work on your case, the more favorable your case outcome will be. 

In California, children below 18 years are not charged with crimes, including those deemed to be misdemeanors or felonies. Instead, children who violated the law are charged with juvenile delinquency heard in juvenile court.

A delinquent child refers to a minor who committed a crime and requires rehabilitation or treatment. That can include your child leaving your home and going into the custody of the Division of Juvenile Justice.

Depending on your child's age and the crime committed, the juvenile court can transfer the criminal case to a criminal court and have the minor treated and tried like an adult. Some of the factors the judge considers include:

• The minor's delinquency history
• Nature of previous services or treatment offered to the juvenile
• Whether the crime was premeditated or aggressive
• Whether there was gang involvement in the crime
• The child's possible rehabilitation

We all want the best for our children, and it can be terrifying when your child is arrested for a crime. You want to know what will occur to them. 

Will they have a permanent criminal record? 

Juvenile delinquency can have severe consequences on your child's future, and you should take the matter seriously.

When you hire our respected defense lawyer, the first step we will take is conducting an in-depth review of the police conduct during the juvenile's arrest. The analysis is vital because if evidence exists that the police violated your child's right, it can serve as a basis for getting the charge dismissed or negotiating for a reduced offense or less severe penalties.

Property crimes involve the theft or destruction of another person's property. While these crimes are considered less severe than crimes causing severe injuries or violent crimes, a conviction can have life-altering consequences like social stigma, incarceration, fines, and a criminal record.

Common property crimes in San Diego include:

• Robbery
• Burglary
• Arson
• Identity theft
• Vandalism

Whether you will face a felony or a misdemeanor depends on factors like:

• The nature of the crime
• Worth of the involved property
• Whether any person was injured during the crime commission
• Whether you applied threats of violence or violence to commit the offense
• Your criminal history

Suppose you have been charged with a California property crime. In that case, it is essential to have an advocate who can aggressively fight for your freedom, which you find at San Diego Criminal Attorney. We offer experienced legal representation at reasonable costs. Our initial consultation is free, and we can come to you if that is convenient for you. To book the consultation, contact us at 619-880-5474.

When charged with a California sex crime, the consequences can have a life-altering impact than other charges. Sex crimes carry social stigma even if you are falsely accused, while a conviction can trigger an obligation to register as a sex offender. Other penalties include lengthy incarceration, fines, irreversible damage to your reputation, and restriction on where you can travel, live, or work.

Accomplished legal counsels at San Diego Criminal Attorney understand the impact of the crime on your future and life. With many years of experience, including successful defense of sex crime defendants, we can aggressively challenge the witnesses' credibility, analyze forensic proof, conduct an independent evaluation of DNA evidence, and assert potential legal defenses based on police procedures.

We are qualified to handle a wide range of California sex crimes, including:

• Prostitution
• Rape
• Failure to register as a sex offender
• Child molestation
• Oral copulation by force
• Indecent exposure
• Sexual assault
• Possession of child pornography
• Lewd conduct
• Statutory rape

Some of the legal defenses we can employ include the following (but not limited to):

• You were falsely accused
• The sexual conduct was consensual
• Insufficient evidence
• Mistaken identity
• No sexual contact happened
• You had a reasonable and honest belief that the alleged victim consented to the act.

A theft crime refers to criminal conduct when an individual uses, steals, or takes another person's assets without permission. Common theft crimes include robbery, shoplifting, embezzlement, grand theft, petty theft, receiving stolen property, and burglary.

Other crimes involve the illegal taking of somebody's identity like identity theft and credit card theft. These offenses violate the alleged victim's sense of security and privacy and can ruin their lives.

Prosecutors and judges take theft crimes seriously and will do whatever it takes to ensure you are convicted of the charges. A conviction carries potential jail time, huge fines, victim restitution, and probation. When accused of theft, you need a skilled defense lawyer who can fight for your rights, freedom, future, finances, and life.

If you have been charged with a theft crime, our talented lawyers can thoroughly investigate your criminal case to understand the case facts. We will also evaluate the prosecutor's case against you to determine what is admissible in court and then bring appropriate motions to ensure it is not used against you.

A white-collar crime is a non-violent crime linked to white-collar employees, particularly those working in finance. Typically, these crimes are believed to involve monetary losses. It can affect a person's personal finances, business, or state, local, or federal government agency.

Typical forms of white-collar crimes include:

• Bank fraud
• Embezzlement
• Forgery
• Credit card fraud
• Tax evasion
• Perjury
• Medicare and Medicaid fraud
• Insurance fraud

The amount of money involved in these cases can be significant; that is why white-collar crimes make headlines and are prosecuted aggressively.

To beat the criminal charge, you need a legal team with an in-depth knowledge of how investigators gather evidence and how prosecutors handle these charges. Most San Diego Criminal Attorney attorneys have served in District Attorney's offices.

We understand how easily a white-collar offense can arise. We have seen people charged due to poor business agreements, false accusations, or honest financial mistakes. After your initial free consultation, we will leave no stone unturned in our investigation and can formulate the most appropriate defense strategy.

Violent crimes in California are rampant. As a result, prosecutors and judges do not take these crimes lightly. If you have been charged with a violent offense, you require a defense lawyer with a proven track record of trying these charges.

More often than not, police officers rush to close the case and do not conduct thorough investigations. Consequently, the prosecutor will overcharge the case, or an innocent individual is convicted. Police can take statements from lying or mistaken witnesses, leading to false accusations and defendant misidentification. Sometimes, the police use unlawful tactics to collect evidence. The San Diego Criminal Attorney team has extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and will work aggressively to ensure illegal evidence is inadmissible in court.

Our team is well-versed in defending against all violent crimes, including:

• Criminal threats
• Kidnapping
• Assault
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• False imprisonment
• Carjacking

We will go through your case details before offering you an honest appraisal of the situation and develop legal defenses like:

• Self-defense or defense of property
• Misidentification
• Absence of intent to commit the crime
• Insufficient evidence

To learn how we can help you with the violent crime charges and book a free consultation, contact us today at

619-880-5474. Our lawyers are available to help you 24/7.