Sacramento Criminal Defense Lawyers

Passionate and compassionate criminal defense

Our criminal defense and DUI attorneys provide a wide array of legal services, including:

• Bail and release guidance;
• Negotiating with the Sacramento District Attorney;
• Defending against criminal charges in court;
• Protecting defendants during their parole violation/revocation or probation violation hearings;
• Advocating for children at the Sacramento Juvenile Courthouse;
• Fighting a DMV license revocation in DUI cases;
• Petitioning for expungement of criminal records;
• Helping convicted felons restore gun rights; or
• Helping defendants reduce eligible felony convictions to a misdemeanor.

We defend against every type of Sacramento DUI and criminal charge, from traffic tickets to serious felonies. Some of the cases we frequently handle include:

• Assault and battery (PC 242)
• Domestic violence
• Drug crimes, including drug possession (HS 11350)
• DUI charges
• Juvenile crimes
• Lewd conduct criminal offenses
• Probation violations
• Sex crimes
• Theft crimes, including petty theft (PC 484)
• Three Strikes
• Violent crimes
• White-collar crimes

See our related article on Sacramento DUI penalties.

Sacramento jail and court

People arrested by Sacramento police officers are held at the Sacramento County Main Jail, located at:

651 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-6752

Search for inmate information here.

Criminal cases get heard at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse, located at:

720 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5522

Search for case information here.

Criminal court process

Criminal cases typically begin with a suspect getting arrested and booked in jail. Unless the suspect is a flight risk, a public safety risk, or is suspected of a very serious charge such as murder, the jail will usually release him/her on bail. In some cases, suspects can even get released without paying anything (called own recognizance (OR) release).

Defendants who get released from jail are mandated to personally appear at all their future court dates. In some cases, their private attorney can appear on their behalf. Defendants who skip court will have a bench warrant issued for their arrest. And bench warrants never expire. The defendant would need to file a motion asking for a court hearing to quash the warrant. And the judge has full discretion over whether to grant this hearing and to recall the warrant. (Judges usually do unless the defendant has a history of missing court.)

After the defendant gets formally charged at the arraignment hearing, the prosecutor usually makes an offer to the defendant (or defense attorney). The defendant may then counter with different terms for the plea bargain. In most cases, both sides do come to an agreement, and the parties can avoid going to trial.

Unlike in misdemeanor cases, felony cases have an extra step: The preliminary hearing (unless the case settles first). During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors present evidence to the court showing that the state has enough proof to keep pressing charges. If the judge agrees, the case can proceed. If the judge believes the state’s case is too weak, the charge will be dismissed. (Note that if a grand jury indicted the defendant, then the defendant may not have a preliminary hearing.)

Most defendants prefer to take a plea than to take the risk of going to trial. After entering a plea, the judge will often hand down whatever sentence the D.A. and defense attorney agreed to as part of the plea agreement. But if the defendant gets convicted at trial, the judge is less likely to take the defendant’s wishes into account.

Have you been arrested on criminal charges in the Sacramento area? Our Sacramento criminal defense lawyers have years of experience with getting criminal offenses lessened or dropped completely.

We create attorney-client relationships throughout southern, central, and northern California, including Los Angeles, Roseville, Yolo County, El Dorado County, Placer County, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and more. Our practice areas include personal injury in addition to criminal law. We provide legal representation in both state and federal courts.

Call our phone number today to speak with an attorney at law about why we are the best defense attorneys for your criminal case. Our Super Lawyer-rated trial attorneys offer free case evaluations.