Orange County Criminal Defense Blog

How Arraignments Work in California Criminal Courts When you’re arrested in California, an arraignment is usually your first court hearing in the criminal process. During the hearing, a judge formally reads the charges against you, explains your rights, and asks how you wish to plead. Whether you say “not guilty” or consider another plea, this…

When you or a loved one faces criminal charges, one of the first questions is how long a criminal case takes to reach a resolution. In Orange County, California, the duration varies widely depending on the range of charges, case severity and other factors: Types of cases: minor infraction vs. misdemeanor vs. felony Complexity: the…

If you have been charged with a crime and plan to plead guilty, you might think that hiring a lawyer to represent you in court is unnecessary. Or perhaps you don’t want to hire an attorney because it feels like an unnecessary expense, especially if you’ve already decided on your course of action..  However, the…

As a parent, finding out that your child was arrested can be overwhelming and stressful. Whether your son or daughter is a juvenile or an adult, knowing what to do first in these circumstances can be of the utmost importance, making sure their rights remain protected and that they have the best possible outcome. Although…

Should you accept a plea bargain offer? If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, you may be offered a plea bargain as part of your case. Should you risk taking your case to trial, or should you accept the plea bargain? There are advantages and disadvantages either way, and making the optimum…

How to Get a Criminal Case Dismissed in California When the state stops pursuing prosecution and the defendant is found not guilty, that is known as dismissing a criminal case. For any individual facing criminal charges in California, getting their case dismissed can be a critical step to avoid a conviction or record that would…