Our Fresno criminal defense attorneys have a proven track record throughout central California of getting felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions reduced or dismissed. Our local law office is located at:
1444 Fulton Street
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 851-5660
Surrounding areas we serve include Auberry, Big Creek, Biola, Bowles, Calwa, Cantua Creek, Caruthers, Centerville, Clovis, Coalinga, Del Rey, Easton, Firebaugh, Fort Washington, Fowler, Friant, Huron, Kingsburg, Lanare, Laton, Malaga, Mayfair, Mendota, Minkler, Monmouth, Old Fig Garden, Orange Cove, Parlier, Rasin City, Reedley, Riverdale, San Joaquin, Sanger, Selma, Shaver Lake, Squaw Valley, Sunnyside, Tarpey Village, Three Rocks, Tranquility, West Park, Madera, Mariposa, Visalia, Merced, Kern, Tulare, and elsewhere in the Central Valley.
Trusted Fresno criminal defense
Just some of the criminal charges our top Fresno DUI attorneys and criminal defense lawyers fight include:
- Domestic violence
- Drug crimes, such as drug charges for possession (HS 11350)
- DUI, including the DMV license revocation hearing
- Fraud, such as credit card fraud
- Hit and run (VC 20002)
- Lewd conduct
- Probation-violation allegations
- Sex crimes
- Shoplifting and other theft crimes
- Traffic tickets (often on the I-5 and 99 freeways)
- Violent crimes, such as assault and battery (PC 242)
- White collar crimes
We also help reduce bail amounts, expunge criminal records, and restore gun rights.
Fresno jail and court
Most people arrested for a crime by the Fresno Police Department or Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are first taken to a local police station for processing. Then they get booked at the Fresno County Jail, located at:
1225 M St
Fresno, CA 93721
(888) 373-7011
To search for an inmate by name or booking number, visit the Fresno Sheriff inmate information center.
Criminal cases are heard at Fresno Superior Court located at:
1100 Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93724-0002
(559) 457-2000
Search for case information here.
Criminal court process
The first step of most criminal cases is the arrest. In the majority of cases, courts allow defendants to be released on bail or else their own recognizance. Defendants facing very serious charges or who are flight risks may be required to remain in jail.
If bail is too high for a defendant to afford, the defendant can call on a bail bondsman. A bondsman will put up the entire amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium – usually 15% of the bail amount. After the case ends, the court will return the bail to the bondsman. And the defendant does not get back the 15%.
The next step is the arraignment, which is the formal reading of charges. Then the defense and prosecution commence a period of settlement talks. The defense attorney will try to get the charges dismissed or substantially reduced. And depending on the circumstances, the prosecutors may agree to a favorable plea bargain. Both sides want to avoid trial.
Defendants without means to afford an attorney get a public defender appointed to them.
If the defendant is facing a felony charge, he/she may have a preliminary hearing. (Note that defendants indicted by grand jury do not get a preliminary hearing.) The reason courts hold prelims is for the prosecutors to show they have enough evidence to press charges. But even though defendants rarely win prelims, they are valuable. They force prosecutors to tip their hand, and the defense attorneys can use this information to their advantage during negotiations.
Ideally, the defendant’s case gets dismissed, either through negotiations or after a not guilty verdict at trial. But if the defendant gets convicted, the judge will then impose a sentence. Typical sentences include fines and jail. But if the defendant is eligible for probation, he/she may be able to remain out of custody. Common terms of probation include doing community service, paying restitution, taking classes, and avoiding further arrests.
Call our criminal defense law firm for legal advice. The law office of Shouse Law Group offers free consultations.
Have you or a loved one been accused of a crime in the Fresno area? Our Fresno criminal defense lawyers are former deputy district attorneys and police officers with years of experience on “the other side” of the criminal justice system. We now use that extensive experience as former prosecutors to achieve substantial charge reductions and dismissals.
Our practice areas include personal injury in addition to criminal law and DUI/DWI defense, and we appear in both state and federal courts. Call today to discuss what legal representation our experienced criminal defense attorneys can offer you. Our legal team has perfect 10-point AVVO scores.