Common Criminal Charges in Northern California & How a Defense Lawyer Can Help
Comprehending the reality of a criminal charge or a criminal conviction often requires time and reflection. Some individuals may search for an attorney immediately, while others may try to put off seeking legal advice until it is absolutely necessary. Understanding some of the most common criminal charges in Northern California and how a defense lawyer can help will provide you with the details you need to make an informed decision regarding your legal rights.
The majority of criminal offenses are divided into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. It is necessary to determine if you are facing a single criminal charge or multiple criminal charges. Criminal offenses themselves often involve either crimes against the person or crimes against property.
Northern California is a diverse and complex region. Therefore, educating yourself about typical criminal offenses may help you find a California criminal defense lawyer who can offer excellent legal representation, like a lawyer at the Law Office of Conor Bell.
Criminal Offenses in Northern California
Criminal offenses vary by topic and category. Some of the most well-known statutes in California include Penal Code 187, relating to the charge of homicide. Other common criminal statutes in California include burglary and robbery. Some of the most common crimes committed in Northern California include the following:
- DUI/DWI offenses
- White-collar crimes
- Theft
- Battery
- Assault
These are not the only crimes frequently reported and documented in Northern California. Financial crimes involving the buying and selling of securities often occur in San Francisco. Property crimes, such as theft and larceny, may take place in both urban and rural areas. Domestic violence disputes may involve a party being charged with assault or battery.
Some of the most serious crimes include armed robbery, kidnapping, and rape. Every criminal offense contains sequential elements that the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a conviction.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Citizens being charged with a crime also have a right to a jury trial under the Sixth and Seventh Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The criminal defense attorney you retain can focus on preventing the state from proving one or more of the elements of a crime.
Our experienced criminal defense lawyer can file motions to suppress evidence illegally seized during a traffic stop or a criminal investigation. These motions often center around the state’s alleged violation of the accused’s Fourth Amendment rights under the State Constitution and the Federal Constitution.
Arson is known as a malicious crime, and it involves the burning of the dwelling house of another, although under modern statutes, the crime also applies to commercial structures. Speaking with an experienced attorney about criminal defense laws can help you understand how your specific charges relate to the broader system of criminal procedure as a whole.
Understanding crime trends can also inform how attorneys approach defense strategies for a case. For instance, the violent crime rate in California decreased 6% in 2024, but was still 10.8% higher than it was in 2019. From 2015 to 2024, hate crime events increased by 141.7%. These statistics help lawyers and judges understand fluctuations in crime throughout Northern California.
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer if You Are Facing Criminal Charges
If you hire a criminal defense lawyer when facing criminal charges, you are taking a major step toward protecting your liberty. A criminal conviction may not only result in fines, administrative penalties, and incarceration, but also damage to one’s reputation and ability to earn a livelihood.
Having legal representation allows you to consider plea deals and reduced sentences. No outcome is guaranteed in criminal law, but a criminal defense lawyer can help those accused of crimes consider all the options available to them.
A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can examine the facts of your case while considering possible defenses based on applying the law to those facts. It is necessary to organize and assemble any records or documents in your possession that relate to the criminal charges.
The cultural and geographic diversity of Northern California may require you to hire a criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with the judiciary in a specific area, such as Eureka, Humboldt County, and Monterey. A criminal defense attorney may also determine if the crimes with which you are charged occurred across multiple jurisdictions.
About Us
Conor Bell earned his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of California-Los Angeles. He obtained a clerkship with the Monterey Public Defender’s Office and with the Sacramento and San Diego District Attorney’s Offices.
After working as a prosecutor for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, he began handling criminal defense cases in Napa, California. This experience means he has knowledge of how prosecutors think and may approach your case.
FAQs
How Much Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Affect a Case?
Criminal defense attorneys can affect a case immensely. One of the primary benefits of retaining a criminal defense lawyer is their ability to analyze the facts of your case and determine if the state violated any of your rights, such as the guarantees you hold under the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments.
A criminal defense attorney can also advocate for you during hearings and file documents with the court that can help suppress any evidence that was unlawfully obtained.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in California?
The cost of a criminal defense lawyer in California varies. Many criminal defense attorneys assess cases based on their complexity and the severity of the crimes. A single misdemeanor often requires less legal work than a complex case involving fraud, money laundering, or multiple defendants.
A client may pay an agreed-upon hourly rate or a retainer, which is a lump sum payment for legal services. Our criminal defense lawyer can tell you more about our fee agreement.
Is It Better to Have an Attorney or Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case?
It is always better to have an attorney rather than represent yourself in a criminal case. A criminal defense lawyer can review important records such as police reports, charging documents, and witness statements. Individuals who hire legal representation benefit from the attorney-client privilege, which protects all communications between a client and their lawyer. Your legal counsel may also work with prosecutors to negotiate plea deals on your behalf.
How Is Evidence Used and Challenged in California Criminal Cases?
In California, evidence is used to prove the elements of the crimes charged against a defendant. A criminal defense attorney can file motions on behalf of a client, attend evidentiary hearings, and represent the client at trial. During a bench trial or jury trial, the evidence is organized into exhibits and presented to the judge and jury. Many criminal cases are won or lost based on the evidence presented by the state and the defendant.
Reach Out to the Law Office of Conor Bell Today
Seeking a criminal defense attorney can be stressful, but it is important to remember the unquantifiable value of your freedom and legal rights. Contact the Law Office of Conor Bell to learn more about what our criminal defense lawyer can do for your case. Whether you are facing a single misdemeanor or multiple felonies, we are here to help you safeguard your legal interests.
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