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A DUI conviction can lead to more than just criminal penalties and a suspended driving license. It can also result in professional licensing and immigration repercussions. Several professions that require state board licensing, such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, contractors, teachers, real estate agents, and stockbrokers, conduct background checks. A DUI conviction can put a professional's license at risk or prevent them from obtaining one.

The most severe consequences of a DUI conviction may occur in the context of immigration. While most DUIs don't have immigration consequences, certain types of DUIs can have significant immigration ramifications. Non-citizens, whether they are permanent residents with a green card or temporary visitors with a visa, may be denied admission, naturalization, or even deported if they have certain DUI convictions on their record.

The District Attorney’s Office takes domestic violence seriously and prosecutes most cases, even if the victim does not want to press charges. 

In cases of domestic violence, a cycle of violence often occurs. After the initial violence, the abuser may become overly kind and promise that the violence will not happen again, causing the victim to hesitate to press charges for a variety of reasons. However, the cycle typically repeats and escalates, sometimes resulting in the death of the victim.

Due to the likelihood of the cycle of violence continuing, most District Attorney offices will pursue charges regardless of the victim’s wishes. However, this approach can make it difficult for innocent individuals who have been falsely accused of domestic violence to clear their name. This is because there are cases where the alleged victim lies or exaggerates to the police and then tells the truth later on, making it difficult for the District Attorney’s office to distinguish between true and false claims of domestic violence.

The penalties for domestic violence charges vary depending on the severity of the offense. A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can result in up to one year of jail time, while a felony charge can lead to several years of imprisonment. Certain domestic violence crimes are classified as "strikes." For instance, a felony conviction for Penal Code section 422 is always a strike, and a felony conviction for Penal Code section 136.1 may be a strike depending on the circumstances. Additionally, a conviction for Penal Code section 273.5(a) with a Great Bodily Injury (GBI) enhancement is considered a strike. Even without a GBI enhancement, a conviction for Penal Code section 273.5 can still result in state prison, as it is not subject to the provisions of Penal Code section 1170(h).

A domestic violence conviction not only carries criminal penalties, but it also has serious repercussions on a person's employment, licensing, and immigration status. Such a conviction is classified as a crime of moral turpitude, which can make it difficult for an individual to secure a job or maintain their current employment. This is particularly true for professions that require state board licensing, such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, lawyers, accountants, contractors, teachers, real estate agents, and stock brokers. Background checks are commonly conducted for these positions, and a domestic violence conviction can result in license revocation or disqualification. The impact of a domestic violence conviction on immigration status can be even more severe. Permanent residents or temporary visitors with green cards or visas may be denied entry, naturalization, or even face deportation due to a domestic violence conviction. In fact, this type of conviction is considered one of the most detrimental for immigration consequences. 

In California, traffic offenses can range from minor to severe, with parking citations and "fix it" tickets being the least serious and accidents resulting in injury or death being the most serious. Infractions, which are the most common type of traffic offense in California, are not violations of state criminal law and are typically punished with fines, traffic school, or points on the driver's record. If a driver accumulates four points within 12 months, their driver's license can be suspended by the DMV.

On the other hand, more serious traffic offenses are considered criminal offenses and can result in imprisonment, fines, victim restitution, driver's license revocation, and drug or alcohol treatment. These criminal offenses can be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, both of which come with severe penalties if convicted.

Some of the traffic offenses that our firm handles include hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license. While many traffic offenses are considered infractions, there are some that are considered misdemeanors or even felonies, and a conviction for a serious traffic offense can result in a lengthy jail or prison sentence, hefty fines, and suspension or revocation of the driver's license. It is crucial to have an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you in these cases.

A conviction for a sex crime can lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment, monetary fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender, which can last for a lifetime. Moreover, sex-related offenses can also result in civil litigation. Unfortunately, even if you are not yet formally charged or tried in a court of law, allegations alone can create a negative perception of guilt in the public and media. Therefore, it is crucial to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney to safeguard your rights, reputation, and future.

We have successfully represented numerous clients who have been accused of the following sex-related offenses:

• Rape
• Sexual Battery
• Statutory Rape
• Possession of Child Pornography
• Internet Sex Crimes
• Prostitution
• Lewd Conduct
• Indecent Exposure
• Misdemeanor Child Molestation/Annoying a Child
• Megan's Law Violations
• Sex Offender Registration Issues
• Evidence of Propensity to Commit Sex Crimes.

The following is a breakdown of the five schedules of controlled substances in California:

Schedule I – These drugs have an extremely high potential for abuse/addiction and have no accepted medical use. Common examples include heroin, hallucinogens such as LSD, ecstasy (MDMA), and certain opiates.

Schedule II – These drugs have a high potential for abuse/addiction and some accepted medical use. Common examples include cocaine, morphine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and oxycodone.

Schedule III – These drugs have a moderate to low potential for abuse/addiction and accepted medical use. Common examples include anabolic steroids, Tylenol with codeine, and ketamine.

Schedule IV – These drugs have a low potential for abuse/addiction and significant medical value. Common examples include Xanax, Ambien, Tramadol, and Soma.

Schedule V – These drugs have the lowest potential for abuse/addiction and legal with a prescription. Common examples include buprenorphine, diphenoxylate, dihydrocodeine, and other cough suppressants.

Drug crimes are prevalent in California and can include using illegal substances, carrying small amounts for personal use, or selling significant amounts to others. These offenses can result in severe consequences, including imprisonment and costly fines, and can lead to a criminal record that can make finding employment, obtaining housing, or living a normal life challenging.

California's Health and Safety Code, which is similar to the U.S. Controlled Substance Act, classifies controlled substances into five schedules based on their potential for abuse/addiction and accepted medical use. Schedule I drugs, such as heroin and hallucinogens, have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule V drugs, such as certain cough suppressants, have the lowest potential for abuse/addiction and are legal with a prescription.

Drug crimes in California can be charged as infractions, misdemeanors, wobblers, or felonies, with the severity of the charge depending on the circumstances of the case. Possession of a small amount of drugs is typically considered a misdemeanor, while possession with the intent to sell or distribute can result in felony charges.

Facing drug charges in California can be a daunting experience, and finding the right criminal defense attorney is crucial. We handle various drug offenses, including possession, possession with intent to sell, transportation, marijuana offenses, and other drug-related offenses.

The act of theft involves taking someone's property or money without their consent, and in California, there are different types of theft crimes that can be classified as either misdemeanors or felonies based on the circumstances of the case. If convicted of a theft crime, the consequences can include imprisonment, fines, civil lawsuits, and a criminal record that can be disclosed during background checks.

If you are facing charges for a theft crime, our firm can help you understand your legal options and work towards the best possible outcome for your case. We handle a range of theft crimes, including petty theft, grand theft, burglary, robbery, auto theft, fraud, forgery, check fraud, real estate fraud, and possession of stolen property.

In order to secure a conviction for a theft crime in California, the prosecution must prove that you took someone else's property without their permission, intended to keep it permanently or for a significant amount of time, and moved the property, even if only for a short distance.

The punishment for theft can vary depending on the severity of the crime. Misdemeanor offenses such as petty theft carry a maximum jail term of six months, while more serious felony offenses like first-degree burglary can result in imprisonment for up to six years. Even a misdemeanor conviction can have long-lasting negative consequences, such as a permanent criminal record that can impact your ability to find employment and potential deportation if you are an immigrant.

Being charged with a violent crime in California or the United States can result in severe penalties due to the gravity of the offenses. As such, those facing these charges often receive lengthy prison sentences and other serious repercussions. It is imperative to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can help you achieve the most favorable outcome in court when your freedom, future, and reputation are at stake.

We are here to represent you or your loved one if you have been accused of committing a violent crime. Our law firm has experience in handling a variety of violent crime cases, including Arson, Assault & Battery, Assault with Deadly Weapon, Brandishing, Criminal Threats, Possession of Deadly Weapon, Resisting Arrest, Witness Intimidation, and Possession of Switchblade Knife.

In a personal injury claim, there is always some value or worth attached to it, which is calculated by totaling all the damages owed to the claimant. If you want to ensure that your personal injury claim has the highest possible value, our team can assist you as one of our many areas of expertise.

By working with us, you can be certain that all damages and insurance policies will be thoroughly examined, leaving no dollar unclaimed. We double-check everything to guarantee that the correct amount is demanded from the defendant.

Four types of damages that are usually factored into a personal injury claim are: 

• A personal injury claim has four types of damages: medical costs, lost wages, permanent disability, and pain and suffering.
• Medical costs are usually the largest part of economic damage in an injury claim, including future costs.
• Lost wages and reduced income-earning capability can also be claimed for future income lost due to the injury.
• Additional damages can be sought for hardships and losses caused by permanent disability.
• Pain and suffering can also be compensated monetarily, depending on the extent of suffering endured.

We can work on many different types of injury claims, including these common case types: 

• Car accidents: We help you get compensation for injuries caused by reckless drivers.
• Truck accidents: We represent you in injury claims against negligent truck drivers and trucking companies.
• Premises liability: We help you hold property owners liable for injuries caused by hazards on their property.
• Product liability: We help you file a claim against a product's manufacturer if its defect caused you injury.
• Wrongful death: We manage wrongful death claims for those who lost loved ones in preventable accidents, while maximizing the claim's chances of success.