San Francisco Criminal Law

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When you need a criminal law attorney in the San Francisco area, it's wise to seek the services of a lawyer with years of experience and extensive familiarity with the criminal justice system in San Francisco County and the surrounding area. Getting arrested for a crime can be an extremely stressful experience with very serious consequences, and the more skilled your lawyer is, the better your chances of minimizing the negative outcome of your case.

Hearings, Pleas, Trial

When you've been charged with a crime, you may also need to appear in a probable cause hearing or another type of preliminary hearing. Your defense lawyer can work to get a dismissal or reduction of your criminal charge(s) at such a hearing. Your lawyer may also be able to persuade the prosecuting attorney to reduce your charges, usually by plea-bargaining.

If your case proceeds to trial, whether before a jury or before a judge alone (i.e., in a bench trial), having an aggressive and skilled defense attorney will be of paramount importance to you as a defendant.

Criminal Charges

In the San Francisco area as elsewhere in the United States, criminal law is governed by both state and federal statutes. Criminal charges can be based on a number of violations of these statutes, including (but not limited to)

Crimes of violence
Domestic crimes
Drug-related crimes
Motor vehicle offenses

Property crimes
Robbery and burglary
Sex crimes
White collar crimes

The Criminal Defense Process

In San Francisco and surrounding counties, the criminal law process follows a set path. A skilled criminal defense attorney is completely familiar with the legal process, and he or she can help you at every stage, including:

Investigation

If you are being investigated for a crime, whether by state or federal authorities, or if you suspect that you are the subject of an investigation, it's wise to get yourself a defense lawyer as soon as possible in order to protect your rights. In addition, if you've been arrested and further investigation is called for, your defense lawyer and private investigators can work to uncover information to help your case.

Charges and Bail

When you're arrested and booked, the district attorney or federal prosecutor will make a decision about whether to charge you with a crime, and if so, which crime to charge you with. At this point, your defense attorney will work to protect all of your constitutional rights, including the right to:

be presumed innocent
have an attorney present
remain silent
be tried by a jury of your peers

You may also have the option to post bail money or a bond, which acts as a surety for your appearance in court later on. However, before you or a friend or family member posts bail or a bond for you, consult a San Francisco criminal law attorney to discuss your options.

Sentencing

For any given crime, there is a range of possible sentences. If you are convicted of a crime, your defense attorney will fight to get you the most favorable sentence possible.

Contact an Attorney With San Francisco Criminal Law Experience

If you or a family member has a San Francisco criminal law problem, you can contact a criminal defense lawyer today for a no-fee consultation and learn more about the constitutionally protected legal rights of a person charged with a crime in the U.S.