A short list and useful glossary of felony cases we handle.

A felony offense is a crime punishable by one year or more in the state prison.

In most felony cases, the first appearance is also called the arraignment. After a not guilty plea, the case is set for a preliminary hearing.

A preliminary hearing is a hearing in front of a judge, where the judge listens to the testimony of witnesses and determines whether there is sufficient evidence to make the defendant stand trial. The burden of proof at the preliminary hearing is "preponderance of the evidence," which is much lower "beyond a reasonable doubt," the burden at trial.

If the judge decides that there is enough evidence for the accused to be brought to trial, the defendant has another arraignment followed by pre-trial conferences, and then trial. A conviction requires all 12 jurors to agree that the accused is guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt."


"Strike" Cases

Third Strike Cases:
Under California law, if you have two prior convictions which are "serious" or "violent" felony offenses, you could be facing the possibility of 25 years-to-Life in prison upon conviction of any third felony offense. What¹s worse is the third felony does not need to be a serious felony to qualify as the third strike. Further, in some cases, a prior juvenile conviction can be used as one or more of the strikes against you.

One Strike Offenses:
Most people are familiar with the California Third Strike Law. Now, under recent changes in the Law, certain offenses can be punished by life in prison even though you have no prior convictions. Many sex crimes and crimes involving the use of firearms, are now punishable by life in prison on the first offense.

Vehicle Related Offenses

DUI/Drunk Driving
Car Jacking
Evading

Felony Sex Offenses

Child Molestation
Rape: Forcible Rape, Date Rape, Statutory Rape
Sexual Assault
Lewd or Lascivious Conduct
Indecent Exposure
Solicitation for Prostitution
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Sexually Violent Predator Commitments

"Violent/Serious" Offenses

Manslaughter
Vehicular Manslaughter
Attempted Murder
Guns and Weapons Charges
Robbery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Assault& Battery
Domestic Violence/ Spousal Abuse
Stalking
Burglary
Child Abuse/Endangerment
Kidnapping
Terrorist Threats
Arson
Gaming
Theft

Narcotics & Drug Offenses

Possession (Marijuana, Ecstasy, Cocaine, Prescription Drugs, GBH, Crack, Heroin)
Trafficking
Distribution
Manufacturing
Possession for Sale
Transportation
Cultivation of Marijuana
Under the Influence

"White Collar" Crime

Embezzlement
Fraud
Internet Fraud
Wire and Mail Fraud
Credit Card Fraud
Bankruptcy Fraud
Perjury
Forgery
Extortion
Counterfeiting
Computer Hacking
Money Laundering
RICO Investigations

Federal Crimes

White-Collar
Bank Fraud
Bankruptcy Fraud
Bribery
Credit Card Fraud
Embezzlement
Extortion
Forgery
Health Care Fraud
Identity Theft
Insurance Fraud
Internet Fraud
Investment Fraud
Money Laundering
Pyramid Schemes
Racketeering
RICO Statute Violations
Securities Fraud
Tax Evasion
Wire Fraud
Cultivation/Manufacturing Controlled Substances
Distribution of Controlled Substances
Prescription Fraud
Drug Trafficking
Hate Crimes

IF YOU DON'T SEE THE CRIME YOU WERE CHARGED WITH,
That is okay! We simply do not have room to list all the crimes we are experienced at defending. Contact us today to allow us to go over your special circumstances.



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