Criminal Defense Attorney San Diego
Have you recently been charged with a criminal offense? If so, you know all too well the emotional, psychological, and financial stress that a criminal charge can bring with it. Whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor, convictions can result in jail time, high fines, probation, and a bevy of other consequences. Criminal defense laws can be complex and confusing. Furthermore, prosecutors are relentless in their pursuit of convictions. Defendants without legal representation are fighting an uphill battle against a seasoned prosecution. Do not wait until it’s too late to mount a strong defense, contact a top-rated criminal defense attorney in San Diego at Bernal Law today. Learn more about our practice areas below.
Notable Criminal Defense Law Statistics
Criminal laws in the U.S. are strict and sometimes unforgiving. The vast majority of cases end with guilty pleas and never reach trial. The cases that do reach trial are overwhelmingly won by the prosecution. There are many reasons that contribute to these numbers. However, a lot of cases end with an unfavorable ruling due to the defendant’s lack of adequate legal representation. Listed below are a few notable criminal defense statistics to keep in mind.
- 90 percent of defendants plead guilty in federal cases
- Only two percent of cases go to trial
- More than 80 percent of all defendants that go trial are found guilty
- Roughly eight percent of cases are dismissed
- Less than one percent of cases are taken to trial and won by defendants
These statistics shed light on the preparedness of the prosecution and the sometimes lack of preparedness by defendants. Though no criminal defense attorney in San Diego can guarantee a favorable outcome in your case, hiring one can substantially increase the likelihood of decreased or dismissed charges.
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
We have the ability, experience, and record of success in many criminal defense practice areas. At Bernal Law, our practice areas include insurance fraud, DUI offenses, worker’s compensation fraud, tax evasion, securities fraud, domestic violence, other violent crimes, and gun crimes. Learn more about each below.
White-collar crimes are non-violent acts that involve deception. These crimes can be committed by businesses or people. Examples of white-collar crime include fraud, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, credit card fraud, computer hacking, mail fraud, insurance fraud (auto, healthcare, worker’s compensation), securities fraud, etc. Those convicted of white-collar crimes may face long prison terms, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record.
Prosecutors in San Diego aggressively pursue DUI charges. Whether you are charged with a first offense DUI or you have had multiple, it can lead to jail time, probation, license suspension, DUI school, etc. Furthermore, DUI convictions may prohibit you from holding certain jobs and/or titles. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is recommended that you contact a proven criminal defense lawyer in San Diego as soon as possible.
If you are intentionally underpaying the IRS or engaging in tax fraud, you may face tax evasion charges. However, the IRS must prove that your actions were intentional. Examples of tax evasion include:
- Intentional understatements of income
- Failure to file tax returns
- Inadequate records
- Not making required tax payments
- Concealment of taxable assets
- Failure to cooperate with tax authorities
If the IRS suspects you of tax evasion or you have been charged with tax evasion, it is not a good idea to fight it without the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer in San Diego. Tax evasion is taken seriously. Those convicted face the potential of prison time, probation, restitution payments, and fines.
Defendants charged with violent crimes face the potential of stiff penalties if convicted. In most cases, long prison terms are difficult to avoid. However, a skillful criminal defense attorney in San Diego can certainly increase your chances of a favorable outcome. At Bernal Law, we have experience handling complex violent crime cases. A few examples of violent crimes charges include:
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Manslaughter
- Sexual assault
- Kidnapping
- Assault and battery
- Home invasions
- Homicide
- Domestic Violence
Gun crimes can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. If you are convicted of certain crimes, you may be facing prison (up to life), probation, and a permanent criminal record. Gun crimes can include illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, possessing a firearm while being a felon, illegal sale of firearms, owning an unregistered gun, etc.
The most common types of drug charges include illegal possession, possession with an intent to sell, drug trafficking, and manufacturing a controlled substance. The extent and type of charges levied against those of drug crimes will depend on the schedule of the drug, amount, and what their intent was. Penalties can include jail time, probation, license suspension, heavy fines, etc.
Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in San Diego?
You have the right to represent yourself or seek the counsel of a court-appointed lawyer. However, self-representation is typically not recommended. Furthermore, a court-appointed criminal defense lawyer in San Diego usually has a heavy caseload and is not able to give every case their full attention. Working a reputable criminal defense attorney in San Diego is not mandated by law, but it does give you a better chance at reduced charges, dismissal, or lighter punishments.
Contact Bernal Law Today
Defense attorney Pedro Bernal spent nearly a decade as a prosecutor. At Bernal Law, we take advantage of that experience when defending our clients against any criminal charges. If you are currently being charged with a criminal offense or are being investigated, it is in your best interest to work with a proven criminal defense lawyer in San Diego. We are dedicated to fighting for our client’s rights and liberties. Do not risk your freedom by representing yourself or gambling on an unproven attorney. Contact us today to schedule your no-obligation, free initial consultation.
