Facing a criminal charge can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and confused about what comes next. Experienced legal counsel could help you understand the charges against you and evaluate your legal options.
Contact the Law Offices of John C. Carlson to schedule a consultation with a San Luis Obispo criminal defense lawyer. Our firm could provide an effective defense aimed at obtaining the most favorable outcome possible under the circumstances.
Managing Attorney
If you are involved in an accident, suffered injury, and want to be adequately compensated, your odds of success are much higher with an experienced personal injury attorney at your side. John has helped dozens of individuals receive just compensation for their injuries with minimal delay. He also has a sharp focus on costs to help insure each client’s recovery is not substantially reduced by attorney fees and litigation and medical expenses.
If you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony, there is a real chance you could go to jail or state prison, pay large fines and be put on a lengthy probation program, among other penalties. John has helped hundreds of individuals either get their charges dismissed, or else significantly reduced, all at an affordable price. Furthermore, he strives to do this within three months of the first court appearance. He will not delay in setting the case for trial should the prosecution not negotiate.
If you are cited for a traffic offense, the odds of prevailing in court on your own are against you. John has helped countless individuals throughout California avoid high fines, points on their record, and license suspension, and has a track record of getting close to 100 cases dismissed.
What are the Basics of Criminal Law?
Although an arrest indicates the police have evidence that you committed a crime, the legal system offers you an opportunity to present your side of the story, and a skilled San Luis Obispo criminal defense attorney can help you do so.
The legal definition of your charge includes critical factors, also called elements, that must be proved for you to be found guilty. For example, California Penal Code § 240 defines the crime of misdemeanor assault as an illegal attempt to use violence to cause injury to someone else. All of the following four elements of the crime must be proven for the prosecution to obtain a conviction:
- There was an intentional, knowing action
- The action involved physical force, if it was carried out
- The accused knew that the action would likely result in the application of physical force
- The accused had the ability to use physical force at the time of the alleged crime
Understanding the elements of a crime is essential to mounting a strong defense. A dedicated defense lawyer from our team could review your case to determine whether there is adequate evidence of each element of the crime you are accused of committing. Weak evidence of a particular element allows a skilled legal professional to craft a compelling defense or even convince the prosecutor to drop or lessen the charges you face.
Criminal Defense Tailored to Your Situation
When you work with our firm, we scrutinize every aspect of your situation when building a defense strategy. We consider the strength of the prosecutor’s case and the potential repercussions you face to find a path that has the best chance of achieving a favorable result.
If this is your first offense, there may be options to resolve the case without creating a criminal record that will limit your future opportunities. If you have prior criminal convictions, our San Luis Obispo attorney could evaluate how they may affect sentencing if you are convicted. We work hard to achieve the most advantageous result possible in every case, ensuring you remain informed throughout the legal process.
In addition to challenging the prosecutor’s evidence, we could assess whether law enforcement officers violated your civil rights during the investigation or your arrest. By carefully reviewing how physical evidence was collected, analyzed, and stored, we could identify deviations from correct procedures to pursue a reduction in the charge or complete dismissal.
Why Choose the Law Offices of John C. Carlson for Your Criminal Defense Case
Our legal team offers several benefits to those in need of criminal defense in San Luis Obispo.
Extensive Experience in Criminal Law
Our founding attorney, John C. Carlson, has been practicing criminal law for several years and has resolved hundreds of cases, whether through plea deals or trials.
Competitive Fees
After being arrested for a criminal offense, you may be facing substantial fees and fines before even hiring a lawyer. At our firm, we recognize the financial hardship that criminal proceedings impose on most individuals. Our rates are competitive with all other criminal law firms in the state, helping ensure you receive the support you need.
Commitment to an Efficient Resolution of Every Case
The first in-court proceeding in a criminal case is the arraignment, during which you will typically enter a plea of not guilty and set another court date between one month and two months in the future. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, your case can often be resolved at the next hearing date, as about 90% of misdemeanor cases resolve without a trial. Many attorneys delay resolution unnecessarily and ask that the proceedings be continued multiple times. While sometimes these delays are necessary, they are usually not. Our approach is to set realistic timelines for each case after arraignment and to discuss these timelines with every client to ensure they know they are a top priority of our firm.
Commitment to Helping Clients with Out-of-Court Case Proceedings
With some offenses, there are both in-court and out-of-court proceedings you must attend. For example, if you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), your license will likely be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a certain amount of time. The DMV proceedings are not legal proceedings, and because of this, many attorneys have limited knowledge about DMV procedures and policies. You need an attorney who can represent you in front of this agency and ensure you will get your driving privileges back as soon as possible. Our team is prepared to advocate on your behalf in court and proceedings involving agencies, protecting your rights and providing support through every stage of your case.
Should your case result in a plea, you will have numerous tasks to complete, such as
- Paying fines
- Serving time in jail
- Doing community service
- Applying for an ankle monitor
- Completing a remedial class
Many firms provide minimal, often inadequate post-plea assistance, sometimes due to being unfamiliar with the particular county’s post-plea procedures. In other cases, an attorney may feel his job is over after the plea is entered.
There can also be more complicated post-plea court proceedings, such as a probation violation or restitution hearing. For example, if you are charged with a new offense after your old one is resolved, you may have violated probation. This can have serious consequences if not addressed properly. In addition, some criminal cases involve damage to another person’s property, making you responsible for the cost of necessary repairs. What you are required to pay in restitution can be unreasonable and excessive, and our attorneys could help you fight unfair amounts in court, reducing the amount you owe wherever possible.
Should you enter a plea of no contest or guilty, you will be placed on probation. After successful completion of probation, you can apply for expungement. If granted, details of your plea or conviction will no longer be available to the public. An experienced attorney is needed to both prepare and file the expungement petition as well as counsel you on what you must do and not do during the probationary period to ensure the petition is granted.
At our firm, we commit ourselves to handling every aspect of your case from the start to the very finish!
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Contact a San Luis Obispo Defense Attorney If You Face Criminal Charges
The assistance of a capable and dedicated attorney is invaluable when you have been charged with a crime. Our San Luis Obispo criminal defense lawyer could zealously defend your rights and apply their knowledge to help you obtain the best possible result. Contact the Law Offices of John C. Carlson today to schedule a consultation to learn more.
Santa Barbara Office
1035 Santa Barbara St. Suite 7
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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