If you’ve been accused of a crime, you may wonder if you really need a lawyer. After all, it could just be talk—and these issues usually resolve on their own, right? Unfortunately, you can’t just assume that accusations or charges will go away. Any implication of criminal activity could seriously damage your future, your career opportunities, and your reputation. If you want to protect yourself and your rights, you must be proactive and connect with a criminal defense attorney in Orange County.
Orange County’s District Attorney has made it clear that his office will prosecute criminal activity. Without a lawyer in your corner you risk your personal freedom and can very likely harm your case by proceeding in a way that an experienced lawyer wouldn’t. With criminal law, MISTAKES CAN COST YOU YOUR FREEDOM.
Don’t wait any longer to find a criminal defense lawyer ready to take on your case. We have vetted each attorney on this list to find those who are based in Orange County and focus their practice on criminal defense matters, making it easy to find the right attorney for you.
Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyers:
Helpful Information About Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney
- You can research the Bar license status, suspensions or reprimands of an attorney at the California Bar Association website.
- Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and are well-versed in the laws and procedures.
- In many cases, a criminal defense lawyer can negotiate with the prosecution to reach a plea agreement. This can result in a lesser charge or a reduced sentence and can avoid the risk and cost of a trial.
- If a case goes to trial, a criminal defense lawyer can present a strong defense on behalf of their client.
Common Criminal Charges Law Firms Handle
Criminal defense attorneys have experience with a wide range of criminal charges. You’ll find lawyers with experience in:
- DUI charges. Driving under the influence is a crime that can affect every area of your life, including your ability to drive, your financial stability, and even the jobs you’re allowed to take.
- Drug crimes. Possessing, manufacturing, selling, and trafficking drugs are serious charges that could land you in prison. You’ll need an experienced drug charges attorney in Orange County.
- Guns and weapons charges. According to multiple sources, California is the state with the strictest gun laws. Weapons charges could follow you for the rest of your life, so do not wait to hire a lawyer.
- Juvenile defense. When a teen makes a mistake, they deserve the chance to learn from it and change their path. A juvenile defense attorney can help an accused teenager avoid being funneled into the adult criminal justice system.
- Burglary and robbery. Theft-related crimes can leave you with hefty fines and prison terms. Make sure you have an attorney who is up to the task.
- White collar crime. White collar crimes are often tried at the federal level, which means you could be looking at decades in prison. An attorney should be your top priority.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Near Me:
335 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92780
17592 Irvine Blvd Tustin, CA 92780
17581 Irvine Blvd Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780
12900 Garden Grove Blvd #132, Garden Grove, CA 92843
This is not the time to take your chances and hope that you can talk your way out of legal trouble. Criminal convictions come with a long list of consequences, including:
- Jail or prison time
- Fines
- Court fees
- Reparations
- Damage to your reputation
- Loss of employment opportunities
- Difficulty fighting for your rights in family court
Potential Defenses to Criminal Charges
There are several potential defenses to criminal charges that your defense lawyer may raise in court on your behalf. Some of the most common defenses in criminal matters include:
- Insufficient evidence: the prosecution does not have enough evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Self-defense: the defendant used force to protect themselves or another person from harm.
- Defense of property: the defendant used force to protect their property from theft or damage.
- Duress: the defendant was forced to commit the crime under threat of harm to themselves or another person.
- Entrapment: the defendant was induced by a government agent to commit the crime.
- Mistake of fact: the defendant made an honest and reasonable mistake about a fact that negates an element of the crime.
- Alibi: the defendant was in a different location at the time the crime was committed and therefore could not have committed it.
- Mental incapacity: the defendant was suffering from a mental illness or defect that prevented them from understanding the nature of their actions or from forming the intent to commit the crime.
- Inadmissibility of evidence: the prosecution obtained evidence illegally or through a violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights, and a court may exclude that evidence from trial.
It’s important to note that these defense strategies will vary in effectiveness depending on the specific facts of the charges and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the case is being tried. Furthermore, not all defenses will be applicable in every case, and it’s the job of your criminal defense attorney to evaluate the facts and the applicable law to determine which defenses may have the best possibility of success.
Where Do Our Listed Attorneys Serve?
The criminal attorneys listed on this page serve clients in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Buena Park, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, La Habra, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Brea, Ladera Ranch and all courts throughout Orange County and Southern California. If you or a family member has been arrested and facing a criminal charge in Orange County, you NEED to talk to a lawyer and get your questions answered, call an attorney listed here today.
How an Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
Once you’ve selected your criminal defense lawyer in Orange County, they can start building your defense. There are several ways to approach criminal charges, from pushing for charges to be dropped or having evidence suppressed to negotiating a plea deal for lesser charges or fighting in court. It all depends on the nature of your charges, the evidence against you, which prosecutor is handling your case, and your attorney’s experience.
Protect your future now. Take the first step and reach out to criminal defense attorneys near you using our list of local Orange County lawyers.