Considering a Crime a Felony or a Misdemeanor

You may already know that in the State of California, felonies and misdemeanors are two potential levels of criminal offenses. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes where the maximum sentence isn’t more than one year in jail. Alternatively, felonies are considered to be more serious crimes, and the conviction sentence is more than one year in jail or prison.

Available Criminal Defense Strategies to Explore

The California criminal system is tough and can be overwhelming. When facing charges, you may be tempted to give up, plead guilty, or accept a plea bargain. Even if you think you are guilty, there may be criminal defense strategies to explore with a California attorney. Some potential available defenses in California include:

• Entrapment, which is a defense to a crime if the government unlawfully convinces someone to commit a crime (however, simply giving a person the opportunity to commit a crime isn’t entrapment)
• Involuntary acts, which means the accused didn’t intend to commit a crime when unlawful behavior was involuntary (like when they are sleeping, unconscious, or intoxicated)
• Mistake of law means that ignorance of the law can generally not be a defense, but only if the mistake negates specific intent or another mental state required as an element of the specific crime
• Mistake of fact, which prevents criminal liability for the crime if the accused made a mistake and didn’t have the mental state required for the elements of a crime
• Factual impossibility, which means the accused may have tried to commit a crime but was unsuccessful (for example, if someone intended to commit murder, but the gun wasn’t loaded, they cannot be guilty)

An attorney can explore and help evaluate all available defenses relevant to your particular criminal charges.

The Role of a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Murrieta, California

In California, a criminal defense lawyer handles a variety of legal matters. Attorneys help clients with criminal cases and charges, including:

• Domestic violence charges
• Child abuse charges
• White collar crimes
• Weapons charges
• Drug charges
• Crimes involving theft or burglary
• General assault charges
• Violations of probation
• Charges for contempt of court
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs

An experienced defense lawyer in Murrieta, California, can help protect your rights if you are facing criminal charges and help you achieve an optimal outcome. The lawyer must understand the facts of each specific client’s case, strategize to skillfully represent their client’s interests, and then provide perspective as the case moves forward.

The Burden of Proof Standard in Murrieta, California for Criminal Cases

In the California criminal justice system, the legal standard that will be applied in the context of a criminal trial is that of “reasonable doubt.” This legal standard is used in criminal trials to decide if the prosecution has proven the accused is guilty of the charges, which is required before an accused may be convicted. The standard helps to make sure the defendant is not wrongly convicted if this standard is not met by the prosecution.

The idea of proving something beyond a reasonable doubt is a subjective standard the judge or jury must apply when deliberating the facts of a criminal law case. “Reasonable doubt” means there can be some uncertainty/doubts about the accused’s guilt.

Without Reasonable Doubt, the Accused Could Be Convicted

In California, if a jury does not have a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt, the result is they believe the accused is responsible for the criminal charges. In that set of circumstances, they must find the accused guilty.

Alternatively, if reasonable doubt exists about the accused’s guilt, they must find the accused not guilty. Consequently, the burden of proof remains with the prosecution to provide substantial evidence to convince the jury or the presiding judge of the accused’s guilt.

Reasons to Hire a Murrieta, CA Criminal Defense Attorney Quickly Following Any Arrest

For any criminal charges, it is vital to exercise your Constitutional right to legal counsel as soon as possible after an arrest and booking. The more time an attorney has to gather information and support any possible legal defenses, the higher the likelihood they can succeed in defending against any relevant criminal charges.

Murrieta Criminal Defense Law FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Cost in Murrieta, CA?

A: The cost for a criminal defense attorney in Murrieta, CA, varies based upon many factors, from the attorney’s level of experience to the time they spend on your case. Also, the more complex the defense needed, the higher the costs could be. You may find experienced attorneys invaluable when navigating a California criminal defense case.

Q: How Many Criminal Defense Attorneys are Active in California?

A: Currently, there are more than 266,000 attorneys licensed to practice law in California, with about 190,000 licensed attorneys representing clients. It is natural to feel overwhelmed when hearing the number of available attorneys. However, your defense attorney should have substantial experience handling cases just like yours and a strong understanding of the type of charges you personally face. Your attorney should be responsive and help defend your case.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Lawyer and an Attorney in Murrieta, CA?

A: In California, the major difference between a lawyer and an attorney is that an attorney is licensed to practice law and can represent clients in California courts.

On the other hand, a lawyer who has completed law school may not necessarily be licensed to practice law (meaning they have not passed the California Bar Exam). In short, all attorneys are then lawyers, but not all lawyers are, in fact, attorneys.

Q: Why Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney With Experience Handling Cases in Murrieta, California?

A: In Murrieta, CA, you need a criminal defense attorney with experience handling cases similar to yours. A seasoned attorney has years of experience to draw on that can only benefit your case. If you are arrested for a criminal charge, an attorney with experience can work on your behalf during any criminal proceedings resulting from an arrest.

While in police custody (and before you enter any plea), you will want to remember you can contact an attorney right away to represent you. Protect your Constitutional rights and find a California criminal defense attorney you feel comfortable with as soon as possible. Engaging an attorney right away is wise so you have a professional ensuring your rights are protected and you do not say anything to harm your case.

Experienced, Comprehensive Legal Representation for Your Murrieta, CA Criminal Defense Case

The legal team at Najera Law Group, APC, understands a criminal charge can be life-altering, and the process can be overwhelming. Our Murrieta, California attorneys can give client-specific legal advice for your criminal defense case. We understand all that is at stake and will do all that we can to craft a solid defense for you.

Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation, where we can discuss the details of the charges you are facing. Together we can start building a plan to safeguard your rights, freedom, and future.