Brea Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal accusations are serious offenses that can linger for a lifetime if you are convicted of the crime, but simply being accused of a criminal offense does not automatically make you guilty of committing it. That said, the stress of what the future will hold and the possible penalties that you could face if convicted can leave anyone fearful of what is to come. Even if there is evidence against you, you have the right to seek legal representation. You do not have to fight for yourself against a legal system that is against you.

Hiring a Brea criminal attorney can save you this anxiety by casting proper light on your case and giving you the proper representation that you deserve in the face of the court.

If convicted of a criminal charge, you may face a lifetime of job insecurity, trouble buying/renting a home, limited educational opportunities, a loss of rights/privileges, possible jail time, heavy fees, and mandated probation time. What you need to remember is that you are not guilty until proven guilty by the court. No matter what has happened or what your accuser has said, you have the right to defend yourself and your story, and we are here to help this process be smoother and as stress-free as possible.

At The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman in Brea, we help our clients receive proper representation for a variety of criminal charges, including violent crimes, DUI Defense, internet crimes, juvenile crimes, theft, drug crimes, sex crimes and more. Our vast experience and knowledge of the court make us a team that you will want on your side. When we work alongside our clients accused of criminal charges, we drastically increase the chances that their penalties will be reduced or the case will be acquitted.

If you are convicted of a criminal charge, your conviction can fall under three distinct categories. Based on how you are convicted, you will receive different penalties for the charge.

Infractions

This is the least severe criminal charge that you can be charged with. An infraction will not result in any jail time. Oftentimes, infractions do not go to court, and you will not need an attorney to represent you. An infraction can be given if you have violated a traffic law or committed another minor issue.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are often less serious criminal charges. One example could be if you have been caught trespassing on a property that you were not previously authorized to be on. Misdemeanor charges will not remain on your public record forever, but you may still have to do up to a year of jail time and pay a fine of up to $2,000.

Felony

If your crime is charged as a felony, you are likely to receive the most severe penalties. Felonies remain on your public record for a significant amount of time and can often affect your public rights, your ability to get hired for a job, or your ability to purchase/rent a home. Felonies can also result in significant fines, years or life in jail, and probation time. Someone who has received a felony charge could have been charged with murder, assault, other violent crimes, DUI, and more.

If a conviction falls between a misdemeanor and a felony, it is considered a wobbler crime. Wobbler cases are often specific cases that cannot be classified under a single category. One common example is a DUI. DUIs are often classified as wobbler cases and may depend on certain aggravating factors to distinguish them between misdemeanors or felonies.

At What Point Should You Ask for a Brea Criminal Lawyer?

If you are accused of a criminal act, then you should immediately get in contact with a Brea criminal defense lawyer. Representing yourself in court is never a great option. The court will not go easy on you, and your side of the story may never get expressed. A criminal defense lawyer will understand how the trial will run and be able to anticipate what the prosecution will use against you.

Should You Tell Your Brea Criminal Attorney Everything?

Confiding in your defense attorney about the entirety of your case can actually help them craft a solid defense strategy that will work for your case. Your attorney is legally bound not to disclose anything that you tell them in private. Therefore, even guilty persons still have the opportunity of reducing their charges or having their case acquitted with the help of an experienced lawyer. Unless you have a law degree, it is extremely difficult to predict what will happen in court. An attorney will be prepared for the unexpected.

Who Qualifies for a Public Defender in Brea, California?

If you are unable to afford the cost of hiring a public defense attorney in California, you may be eligible to apply for a public defense attorney. Since there are only so many public defense attorneys available, the process of acquiring one is not always simple. You will need to prove that you are financially incapable of hiring a private attorney. You will also need to pay a fee of $25 to complete this selection process. After proving your financial need, the superior court judge will assign a public defense attorney to your case to represent you in court.

Are Public Defenders Free in Brea, CA?

Public defenders are free for low-income individuals if they have proved that they are unable to afford a private attorney. That being said, there is a limited number of public defenders, so there is no guarantee that the court will assign one to represent you. To apply for a public defender, you must pay the court a $25 reservation fee.

Whether you are guilty of committing a crime or you have been falsely accused, the Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman is here to help you get the representation you deserve. We have been working with our clients for many years, helping them get their sentences reduced or even acquitted. We are proud of our success rate and will be happy to serve anyone facing criminal charges in Brea, CA. Don’t wait another day to contact us.