Glendale, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer

People who have been charged with a crime in Glendale, California will have the opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law. How your case plays out in court will depend on many different factors, including the types of criminal charges you face. The trial process also includes more than just your trial. There are processes that will occur before and after your trial is over before you are free from the criminal justice system. As a defendant, you have several trial rights that cannot be taken away or hindered by anyone, such as the right to a trial by jury and the right to an attorney. These rights are meant to protect you and prevent any miscarriage of justice.

Being charged with any crime, no matter how serious, is stressful and intimidating. The trial process can be long and very complicated, and it is easy to become overwhelmed. If you have been charged with a crime, contact a lawyer immediately for help with your case. A lawyer will help you through each step of the criminal justice process and fight to ensure your rights are protected. Contact Eric D. Davis, Attorney at Law, by calling (909) 861-8075 to schedule a free legal consultation with our experienced Glendale criminal defense lawyer.

Types of Criminal Charges in Glendale, California

Criminal charges in Glendale will fall under one of three broad categories: felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Each offense type is sentenced differently, with felonies being the most serious, infractions being the least serious, and misdemeanors falling somewhere in the middle. Each individual crime carries its own individual penalties. To determine how you might be sentenced if you are convicted, you must understand precisely what crime you have been charged with.

Felonies are any offense punishable by death or by incarceration in a state prison or county jail for at least one year. Most other crimes are considered misdemeanors and are punishable by incarceration in state prison or county jail, but typically for less than one year. Misdemeanors may also be punished with various fines. Finally, infractions are minor offenses that are rarely, if ever, punished with jail time and are instead generally punished with fines only.

Each crime is associated with a specific range of sentences. Instead of dividing felonies into subcategories of degrees like other jurisdictions, California divides each crime into degrees of severity and assigns each degree its own range of prison terms. A crime will typically have three different prison terms the judge may choose from. For example, robbery is divided into robbery of the first or second degree. First-degree robbery is punishable by 3, 6, or 9 years in prison, and second-degree robbery is punishable by 2, 3, or 5 years in prison.

To determine your potential penalties, you need to know what crime you are charged with and your charges’ specific degree. An experienced Glendale criminal defense lawyer will help you understand your charges and the possible consequences.

The Trial Process in Glendale for Criminal Cases

When someone is charged with a crime in Glendale, one of their first court proceedings will be the arraignment. At the arraignment, a judge or magistrate will inform you of the charges against you, inform you of your rights, and allow you to enter a plea. The court will also determine your bail at this hearing.

After your arraignment, if you are charged with a misdemeanor, a trial will be scheduled and both parties will begin preparing for the trial. If you are charged with a felony, there will be a preliminary hearing before trial to determine if there is enough evidence to hold you for trial. If there is no probable cause, the judge may give prosecutors a limited time to come up with more evidence, or your case will be dismissed.

After your preliminary hearing, a trial will be scheduled. The prosecution and defense will exchange information so that each side may build their case. This process is known as “discovery.” The discovery process is crucial because it allows you and your attorney to see the evidence against you, allowing you to mount a more effective defense. At trial, each side will present their evidence and arguments to the jury and the jury will render a verdict.

The trial process is often very long and complex. You should hire an experienced Glendale criminal defense attorney to help you understand your charges and the evidence against you. Hiring a good attorney is essential to a successful defense.

The Right to an Attorney in Glendale, CA Criminal Cases

In Glendale, CA and the rest of the United States, a criminal defendant has the right to an attorney. The right to an attorney is so vital that the court will appoint an attorney to represent you if you cannot afford to hire one yourself. The criminal justice process is often so complicated that the average person cannot be expected to understand how to handle their own criminal case on their own, and an attorney is essential to protecting their rights.

You not only have the right to a lawyer but the right to a competent lawyer who can effectively defend you. If, after your trial, you feel that your attorney did not exercise due diligence in their representation or perhaps neglected your case, you may file an appeal and possibly receive a new trial with a new attorney. Our Glendale, CA criminal defense attorney will help you through each phase of your trial and work to protect your rights.

Hire Our Glendale Criminal Defense Attorney

Being charged with a crime should be taken very seriously. The penalties associated with your charges may be harsh, and you could end up with costly fines or a lengthy prison sentence. If you or someone you know has been charged with any crime, contact Glendale criminal defense lawyer Eric D. Davis by calling (909) 861-8075 to schedule a free legal consultation. Our team will protect your rights and ensure you receive a fair trial with the best defense possible.

Consultations are 100% Free and Confidential

20955 Pathfinder Road

Suite 100

Diamond Bar, CA, 91765