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29 Aug, 2024 by Heather
Stellar job, pays attention to the minute details that gets you outta trouble!
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29 Aug, 2024 by Milaysia ochoa
Very easy to work with, and they worked with us in a timely manner!
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29 Aug, 2024 by Taylor durham
❤️❤️❤️
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29 Aug, 2024 by Heather
Stellar job, pays attention to the minute details that gets you outta trouble!
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29 Aug, 2024 by Milaysia ochoa
Very easy to work with, and they worked with us in a timely manner!
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29 Aug, 2024 by Taylor durham
❤️❤️❤️
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25 Jun, 2024 by Kevin
Jim Gass has done a phenomenal job on behalf of my little brother. His top-tier legal defense instincts, experience and expertise are beyond question in San Bernardino County (SBC). His stand-alone outcome differentiator of having 'won more felony jury trials than any other attorney in SBC,' speaks for itself. As a dedicated family man Jim also dedicates his time and energy to the emotional as well as legal well-being of his clients. No sooner did my little brother meet with Jim than his entire demeanor changed. Operationally, Jim maintains an excellent rapport with courtroom colleagues on both sides of the justice system aisle, as is also all-too-critical to optimizing outcomes. Jim has my most sincere thanks, and I highly recommend him for legal defense services in the SBC area.
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18 Mar, 2024 by Marc
I am also a criminal defense lawyer and have been since 1997. Jim Gass was actually one of my supervising attorneys when I was a law clerk and in the first 3 years of my practice I worked with him extensively. He supervised my first jury trial. I have represented co-defendants in cases with him. If I needed a lawyer to defend me in trial, I would move Heaven and Earth to convince Jim to represent me. I am not at all exaggerating. I have seen...I don't know...maybe thousands of criminal defense attorneys in action. I have seen criminal defense lawyers who are flashier and undoubtedly more comfortable with charging people crazy high fees because, after all, being a little full of BS is part of the business side of criminal defense. I don't know how to say this as a positive thing but, I don't think that Jim is good at convincing people to fork over their entire life savings to represent them. He should be because he really is worth it. Jim is exceptionally good in front of juries...exceptionally...really exceptionally. Are you getting that I am saying he is exceptionally good at connecting with normal types of people who end up on juries? And, the other thing good about Jim is that he doesn't come across as threatening or arrogant to prosecutors even though they know he is a threat. So, while other criminal defense lawyers may tick off prosecutors and make them want to beat the lawyer, prosecutors in the Inland Empire courts just kind of know that he WILL beat them. It is that trait that allows Jim to effectively settle cases in my opinion. I wish I could pull rabbits out of hats like Jim can. Anyone who writes a bad review doesn't know what they are talking about and I bet that most of the people who have reviewed him would give him stars that go beyond 5 if it were possible to do it. Funny but, the only reason I am writing this review is that I have a former client who I just gave Jim's information to so I had to look him up on the internet to get the number. Those people will be in good hands if they hire him.
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06 Dec, 2023 by Paul
I was being prosecuted with charges that would essentially ruin my life and my career. Out of the gate Mr. Gass had a game plan that we stuck to and not only did I avoid many years in prison for being wrongfully accused he got my case completely dropped. I would highly recommend James to anyone that is need of criminal legal council. His professionalism, communication and knowledge of law is second to none. Thank you again Mr. Gass for helping me.
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13 Feb, 2023 by Jennifer
I hired Mr. Kassel last year and from the beginning to the end he made the whole process very easy for me. The girls in the front were always super friendly and very understanding anytime I had a question. I would recommend Mr. Kassel if you were looking to hire an attorney.
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11 Jan, 2023 by Alicia marfori
I would like to thank Atty Greg Kassel and his office staff for handling my case in a very professional manner. He is an excellent lawyer. Thanks again Atty Kassel.
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23 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Received a charge and lived out of state. Hiring Mr. Kassel allowed me to not have to travel back and forth for hearings. Him and his staff made the process easy. Fair prices. Case dismissed. Hopefully I never have to, but would use again in a heartbeat.
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20 May, 2019 by Sebastian thomas diaz
Joseph Richardson of Borton Petrini has been a huge asset to my business. He has helped me with contracts and advised me in legal matters. His advice and experience have saved me money, making his legal services a high value service.
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14 May, 2019 by Luke kibler
I have worked with Joe Richardson there at Borton Petrini and he has been an absolute consummate professional in his field. He advised me on several business matters and liability concerns and I am planning some ongoing work with his firm. He has proven himself to be very knowledgeable, professional, and a genuine heart to serve. Highly recommended!
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20 May, 2019 by Sebastian thomas diaz
Joseph Richardson of Borton Petrini has been a huge asset to my business. He has helped me with contracts and advised me in legal matters. His advice and experience have saved me money, making his legal services a high value service.
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14 May, 2019 by Luke kibler
I have worked with Joe Richardson there at Borton Petrini and he has been an absolute consummate professional in his field. He advised me on several business matters and liability concerns and I am planning some ongoing work with his firm. He has proven himself to be very knowledgeable, professional, and a genuine heart to serve. Highly recommended!
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30 May, 2024 by Love
I would like to thank Lane Law Firm for their ability and outright dedication to my case. If you want a law firm you can trust and that will fight for you to the very end, look no further...
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29 May, 2024 by Dee jay
I can’t express the level of gratitude for this law firm. From the first moment I met everyone I felt like I was in good hands. I never had any problems reaching out to anyone with questions, and always received a timely reply. Everything they did was documented and emailed to me, so I always knew exactly what was going on with my case. Everyone was great, and I will always recommend this law firm to anyone who needs them.
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29 May, 2024 by Jordan m
The entire team at the Gramling Law Group, were an absolute pleasure to work with! Their professionalism, attentiveness, and empathic demeanor were beyond anything I could have hoped for. Being out-of-state, l thought the process may be difficult for me, but the team was able to make the entire process smooth and stress-free.
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07 Mar, 2024 by Hector gutierrez
Highly recommend! Really helped me with my case!
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07 Dec, 2023 by Loretta resendez
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11 Oct, 2023 by Rudy lo
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07 Mar, 2024 by Hector gutierrez
Highly recommend! Really helped me with my case!
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07 Dec, 2023 by Loretta resendez
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11 Oct, 2023 by Rudy lo
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10 Apr, 2023 by Christopher cox
Very good probate attorneys
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15 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
He doesnt take the time to go and visit the client in jail, he thinks 5 minutes before you go in front of the judge is enough time. Mr. Haynal doesnt keep the client or the family informed as to what is going on with the case. He was referred to us by a friend and we are very disappointed.
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23 Aug, 2021 by Silvia
Attorney Andrew Haynal. Is the best Attorney in the Inland Empire. It's Amazing the way He defends His clients. I am very Greatful for His Services. I will recommended 100%. His kindness make His clients feel confident and He success. 5 or more stars .for His Professional Work. Silvia
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06 Sep, 2023 by Stella hernandez
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07 Dec, 2022 by Tiffany cammarata
I went through about 25 consults before choosing Lauren. Other attorneys were afraid of my ex's attorney and Lauren was the only one who had no issue with her. She also is an out of the box thinker who brought fresh ideas to the case and I ended up getting everything I asked for.
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03 Sep, 2022 by Frank gutierrez
Very disappointed with this law office. All attorneys need to understand an take into consideration every one who call has a problem an needs representation. I spoke to Lauren who was very disrespectful and inconsiderate. This law office needs to understand there job is to hear the matter at hand hear what facts an evidence will support any case/matter. It is then taken into consideration if there office can or can't not take your case. Lauren would not listen. She was argumentative. These attorneys charge way to much an have to understand once retained your now there boss they then must represent you an the fact at a high level. I would not recommend this office to anyone. Lauren must learn to be patient an understanding. She lost client an retainer fee. Now I see why her partners are also in need.
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03 Apr, 2024 by Rita brittos
Crista handled my conservator case perfect. To say the least I was very anxious and not tech savvy but they were patient and understanding and walked me through every aspect. I calmed down and followed their lead and she won my case. She is my attorney now and I recommend her to anyone in need of what she has to offer. Thank you.
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02 Apr, 2024 by Aime luna
I had a consultation with Crista today. She was extremely helpful and honest. I now know what direction I want to go with in my case. Thank you for you Crista for your help and honesty, I really appreciate it!
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22 Feb, 2024 by Yuri mata
Ms. Haynes and her team were always knowledgeable and quick to return messages and address concerns. I’ve experienced the opposite end from other attorneys and found this time to be stress free. She and her team took the time to get to know me and my case. I would recommend her firm to anyone and use them again myself.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Ravyn
Consistently delays hearings & admitted it to one of my witnesses! Also, (congrats to her) she's pregnant & will be on maternity leave probably Mid Oct 2024 until next year! She started off strong, UNTIL SHE WASN'T!! Which only lasted a few weeks. Acts like she cares about your case. I absolutely promise, she does NOT! She has no empathy for your divorce. Only her pocket book & vacations! You have to beg her to get something done! In an 8 month span, she has been absent 3 months, for vacations! Upon her return she has her office call me for more funds. In total she took me & my family for $24,000. My divorce has been going on for 2 years. 15 months w/Ms. Laundis. I hired her to help w/a very contentious divorce. She assured me she could handle this case! Obviously, she could NOT. She kept telling me I was giving the respondent too much credit, saying "he's not that smart." But then I'd predict his next move. She'd say to me, "you really know this guy." No Sh*t Sherlock! I was the one married to him! She rushes the case w/the Judge & will dismiss motions to make things easier for her. She'll make promises over the phone, then denies she ever said it! SHE DOUBLE CHARGES HER CLIENT'S. She copped to it over the phone to me. Then to smooth things over, she deducted $10,000. off of my bill as what she "claimed" was a "courtesy."You don't take $10,000 off a bill for a courtesy! I made it very known that the person I was divorcing was going to cause a lot of issues, lie about income, expenses, committed no less than 10 Atro's violations, stalked me, committed perjury, along w/ lying to an officer in 2022 on camera. & now has 21 contempt charges. First court appearance w/her, she called me to asked if we could dismiss 35 motions to compel that the respondent was to provide the Court. I Stated "NO." I had paid a previous attorney for those motions & believed them to be vital to my case. She stated "we could handle it at another time." So she dismissed them. I was so mad! She over books herself w/clients. She gets her clients cases mixed up in court. She even discussed someone else's case w/me instead of mine. Since my motion to compels were dismissed, she realized we "DID INDEED" need the info & thus subpoenas were sent out to all of the companies. Which only delayed my hearings even further. I better not see a bill for, since it was her error, Not mine! In January 2024 a temporary court order was put into place. After 21 days of the order not being complied w/by the respondent, I requested Ms. Laundis to file contempt charges. Arrangement was set for early June. Only to find out that the respondent hired an attorney last minute. (as I predicted he would to Ms Laundis) Knowing that his arraignment would be extended. Court was to be set sometime in July, as his attorney could catch up on the case. But because she would be gone for a 5 week vacation abroad, my hearing date would be extended another 2 1/2 months. Now that the hearing is here, she demanded more money & had her office personnel advise me that if I don't pay, she will not represent me at the hearing. I sent her an email asking to pls help me make a proposal to the respondent. As I just want this divorce over. I made her an offer that would provide her funds. She wrote “payment arrangements will not be acceptable" I made it very known when she accepted the case "that the respondent was to pay for my attorney fees." She NEVER filed that paperwork. A family member left a 1 star review, stating she was just after people's money & not doing her job. She saw the post & called me up to let me know she would not complete my case due to the third party review. But she'll take their money!
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14 Sep, 2021 by Sarah
“I would recommend Lauren and Laundis law to anyone looking for an efficient attorney who is willing to fight for you. My daughters father took me back to court to prevent me from moving and to keep her from leaving for college. (She graduated early and we’re all so proud!). My anxiety and fear for the both of us was all consuming but Lauren was amazing and put me at ease. She’s confident in the court room, efficient and not willing to play anyone else’s games. She’s a wonderful attorney and you’d be lucky to hire her!”
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31 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
Sorry. Just Being Honest. This lawyer was irresponsible in most every way possible. She was sued by another lawyer for failing to perform her job. According to the State Bar, she was irresponsible - albeit not criminally irresponsible ( in which case, she would have been disbarred). She did not pay us (her former client), as per the written agreement. She has a poor reputation among other lawyers (I do challenge anyone to prove this to be incorrect) for late filing; never meeting with clients and even turning on her own clients. Please check her reviews (on other websites) before making a final decision. Do your research and make an informed decision, as this lawyer tends to prey on people in desperate situations.
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03 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Sloppy, forgetful, overall a total weird guy. Prosecutors hate him and dont give his clients any good plea deals. Total lack of charisma in a court room, not the person you want speaking in your behalf. His office is a dump, too. You're better off with anyone else.
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FAQs
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What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You

A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.

Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:

  • Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
  • Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
  • Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
  • Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
  • Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
  • Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:

  • Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
  • Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
  • Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
  • Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
  • Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
  • Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
  • Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.

How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?

Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:

  • Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
  • Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
  • Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.

The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:

  • Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
  • Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
  • Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
  • Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.

Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.

Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:

  1. What is your experience with cases like mine?
    Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs.
  3. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction.
  4. How many cases have you taken to trial?
    While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial.
  5. Who will handle my case?
    Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work.
  6. How do you communicate with your clients?
    Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.

How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer

To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:

  • Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
  • Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
  • Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
  • Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:

  • Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
  • Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
  • List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
  • Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.

By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.