Dublin Criminal Defense Lawyer

Dublin Criminal Defense Attorney

Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming and have a big impact on your life, even when the offense seems minor. Penalties can be severe, up to and including incarceration and a criminal record, which can impede your ability to work or even find somewhere to live. If you or a family member has been charged with a crime, your first step is to hire an experienced Dublin, CA criminal defense lawyer to represent you throughout the process.

The Law Office of Louis J. Goodman is focused on criminal defense, which means it’s our job to represent people in the legal system and defend their rights and interests. Our legal team can answer all your questions about your case and represent you in the legal process to get charges against you reduced or dismissed.

Criminal Law or Civil Law

There are two main kinds of law in the United States: civil law and criminal law. Civil law is concerned with disputes between people or companies, and it often involves financial or physical harm. Penalties for civil law cases often include fines, restitution, or other forms of financial payments to the injured party.

Criminal law is used when someone has knowingly or unknowingly broken a law. It seeks to uphold order in society by punishing people who violate laws. There are laws at many levels, including city laws, county laws, state laws, and federal laws. Each law has its own set of procedures, rules, and penalties. Not being aware of a law is usually not a defense against breaking it.

Common Crimes in Alameda County

Alameda County faces some of the highest violent crime rates in California, although it has gone down in recent years. About two-thirds of reported crimes are more serious offenses such as murder, rape, and robbery that can carry steep penalties. Some other common serious crimes include arson, assault, auto theft, burglary, manslaughter, and theft.

Less serious crimes include disturbing the peace, public drunkenness, DUI, embezzlement/fraud, domestic violence, forgery/counterfeiting, liquor or narcotics violations, sex offenses, trespassing, vandalism, gambling, and weapons offenses.

Penalties and Problems From a Criminal Record

When people think of penalties for crimes, they often think of prison time. However, when handled properly by a skilled attorney, many cases result in reduced charges, plea bargains, or even dismissal of charges.

Some common penalties for criminal convictions are:

• Fines
• Probation
• Restitution
• Community service
• Incarceration

Less serious crimes are often charged as misdemeanors. The penalties are usually lighter, with little to no jail time. Many more serious crimes are charged as federal or felony offenses, which means higher fines and longer sentences in prison. California uses the death penalty for the most severe crimes, but there is currently a moratorium on executions. While an offender could still receive a death sentence, the execution would not be carried out unless the moratorium ends.

In addition, a criminal record can make other aspects of your life more challenging. Many jobs will not hire people with criminal records, especially felony or federal convictions, and it may also impact the ability to get or renew professional licenses such as medical and legal licenses. It can also affect the ability to buy or own firearms, make it harder to get credit cards or loans, and for noncitizens, it could result in deportation.

Why You Need a Good Criminal Defense Lawyer

There may be some legal issues you can handle on your own, but a criminal charge in Dublin, CA, is not something you want to face alone. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can explain your rights and all the elements of your case throughout the process. Most importantly, they can help you get a better outcome because they have in-depth knowledge of the legal system that an average person does not.

FAQs

What Critical Role Do Defense Attorneys Play in a Court Case?

The critical role defense attorneys play in a court case is representing a defendant’s legal rights and interests throughout the process, from arrest through trial. This is essential to the criminal justice system working the way it’s intended, which is to presume innocence until proven beyond a reasonable doubt and to make sure every person charged with a crime is treated fairly under the law.

Why Do Defense Attorneys Defend People They Know Are Guilty?

Criminal defense attorneys defend people they know are guilty because they want to uphold the integrity of the justice system and ensure the process works to give every defendant a fair trial and protect their legal rights and interests. A criminal defense attorney does not defend acts; they defend the legal rights everyone deserves.

When Is the Right Time to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in California?

The right time to hire a criminal defense lawyer in California is as soon as you know you’re facing a situation with legal implications. This may be when you are arrested, and in some cases, it may be even before the arrest. To protect your rights, you should never speak to police about a crime they believe you were involved in unless there’s an attorney present who is representing you.

What Happens After Criminal Charges Are Filed in California?

After criminal charges are filed in California, there is usually an arraignment. This is where a defendant goes to court to find out what specific offenses they are charged with and what rights they have. It’s very important for a defendant to have legal counsel for this because the defendant will plead, either guilty, not guilty, or no contest and the judge will address bail and possible release.

Your Dublin, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Law Office of Louis J. Goodman is here to protect your rights. As a veteran criminal defense lawyer and a former Alameda County Deputy District Attorney, Louis Goodman can make your defense stronger with experience from both sides of the courtroom. Whether you’re facing a DUI, domestic violence, a white-collar crime, or other criminal charges, our legal team can work to preserve your interests. Contact our office today to set up a consultation.