Your Rights and Your Fresno Crime Lawyer

Drug charges can range from misdemeanor possession charges to drug manufacturing and vary in severity from misdemeanors all the way up to federal offenses. Contacting a Fresno crime attorney as soon as possible after an arrest is critical. Do not talk to arresting officers until your attorney is there with you. If evidence was seized unlawfully, it isn't admissible and the charges could be dismissed.

Proposition 36 and You

In November 2012, voters approved Proposition 36, which modifies California's "Three Strikes" law. The original law mandates sentences of 25 years to life for those convicted of three crimes. Before Prop 36, that third conviction could be on something as minor as shoplifting. With the passing of Proposition 36, the law was amended so that only a serious or violent third felony conviction would trigger the Three Strikes law.

Misdemeanor or Felony DUI

DUI may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on whether there was an accident with injuries or how many previous DUIs the arrestee has. Any decent Fresno crime lawyer will look at every aspect of the case, including whether the arresting officer had probable cause to pull you over and whether the breathalyzer was calibrated and used correctly. In some cases, DUI charges can be dismissed.

Computer Crimes

Computer crimes are a growing area of expertise for criminal lawyers. The penalties for computer related crimes like piracy can be severe, so it is critical that you contact a Fresno crime attorney as soon as possible after you've been charged with a cyber crime. Your attorney should have experience with cases involving spamming, identity theft, "phishing," and other types of computer crimes.

White Collar Crimes

Being accused of a white collar crime - even if there is no conviction - can ruin your reputation and career. White collar crimes may be charged as misdemeanors, felonies, and may even bring federal charges. Having an experienced Fresno defense lawyer on your side can make the difference between getting on with your life and having your career ruined. A good attorney can sometimes have evidence thrown out, get charges dismissed outright, or negotiate sentencing on your behalf if you're convicted.