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10 Apr, 2014 by Jennifer and romido rodriguez
Me and my fiancee are very grateful, with your assistance in his Hardship Case ! Were soo thankful to have you a very excellent job done well ! i am very impressed and so my fiancee too. Thank You Soo much ! Good-luck !
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30 Oct, 2012 by Chris
Great service, very reliable and details oriented, got me great result with my case, will diffenalty recommend him to friends and family
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28 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Had a complicated case. Tom was able to provide me with realistic options to end my case. he was able to reach my goal, with great communication and is on your side!
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21 May, 2015 by Anonymous
I interviewed over 10 attorneys for my somewhat complicated DUI case. In the end, I went with Tom. Proud of my decision, and proud of Tom - he did a great job. Head and shoulders above the others I spoke with. From the beginning, Tom was very frank and realistic about expectations - didn't over promise in order to get a client. He's honest, ethical, and reliable, with very high standards. In the end, his work resulted in the best possible outcome for me. I would recommend him to anyone.
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02 Jul, 2015 by Anthony
I have had the opportunity to study Business Law Today with Professor Cary Phu Pham, who is also a lawyer, during the past Spring 2015 Semester. He is really a very knowledgeable professor who had guided our class to go through the whole semester with interesting subjects that are very useful for our daily lives even though we don't practice law. The knowledge we gathered from Professor Phu helps enhance our knowledge that we can carry out when it comes to applying to the cases relevant to our interests.
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22 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
handled a freedom of speech case for me even though I knew I would lose. No questions asked. Zealous representation. Good research and very knowledgable of the law.
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20 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
This attorney is a specialist in contracts. Outstanding trial attorney, very knowledgeable, very aggressive, very client oriented. Kept me informed throughout the proceedings. Represented me as defendent and cross-complaintant and won a large settlement.
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25 Mar, 2019 by Jawad
I got a court appointed attorney 3 times for a case I was dealing with and all were amazing. Steven Otero was one of these attorneys and they all worked together great while Steven Otero studied my case and came up with the best advice and solution for my case in the most professional and timely manner I could hope for, WHILE dealing with a multitude of other cases. I am so grateful for someone like Steven who stopped to do research from evidence provided to make a solid possibility and outcome of my case that others would have overlooked or ignored THANK YOU STEVEN!!!!!
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20 Oct, 2010 by J
Arthur assisted my court appearance with a very reasonable rate and respond all my emails, phone calls within short period of time! I recommend Arthur to everyone.
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01 Sep, 2012 by Deborah
Recently my son went to trial and I am so grateful that Lindsey was his attorney. She is very dedicated, reliable, and her professional legal skills , knowledge, , trust worthiness, sincerity, support, and patients made a very difficult time much easier and gave me my faith back that there are people who genuinely care, She always returned calls, kept us informed, even if it took many times to explain things or answer questions. Her assertiveness, determination, and integrity in the court room gave me comfort in knowing we got the best lawyer, who had my son's interest, which she stayed focussed on, doing things, using techniques that ultimately brought out the words "Not Guilty", "Not Guilty", "Not Guilty". I would definately recommend her. Thank you Lindsey for all your hard work, and for going above and beyond..........Deborah Casey
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02 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
I received a citation for public intoxication and a secondary charge. At arraignment, I spoke with him briefly and he was able to swiftly work a deal with the prosecutor to offer me diversion for the secondary charge. With the diversion program, both charges are dismissed and I avoided 2 misdemeanors. This guy works out great deals with the prosecutor. On top of that, he is very nice and professional. It cost me nothing (I'm not eligible for a public defender, but Palo Alto court provides one to automatically in the case one does not have a lawyer present for misdemeanor cases), which is even better.
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18 Jan, 2016 by Samuel
Amanda, is quite possibly one of the most outstanding public defenders to grace the halls of the office of the public defender of Santa Clara county in San Jose, California. I had a stalking case that I seriously did not want to go through a trial for. Knowing this, Amanda was able to bargain a deal that saved me from having to go to prison and instead I was released on probation. The only thing I regret is not letting Amanda know how grateful I was to have had her as an attorney in a court of law. In any case, she was very astute and knowledgeable, her performance was greatly appreciated.
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26 Nov, 2022 by Holden
As a San Jose Defense Attorney this Attorney demonstrates professional skills when we both appear in a court handling cases for the clients of Santa Clara County. He is focused and prepared and always seems pleasant in a conversation. He is a good tool for Justice in Santa Clara County.
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19 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
Veronica Douat went the extra mile to ensure that our legal needs were attended to. We are happy with our outcome and recommend her services.
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29 Jun, 2021 by Sonia
I called Mr. Hoopes for a consultation regarding a family members who is facing felony charges. He spend almost an hour explainnig the different scenarios and consequences with every move made in court. He also informed me on what evidence should be presented in order to make the case stronger. I was very appreciative of his time and it was evident that he trully cares for his clients. I have spoken to various other attorney's who only tell you what you want to hear in order to make business. Thank you again Mr. HOOPES
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31 Jul, 2019 by An
My situation was the collection firm tried to collect more than 20000 dollar from me. They took me to court tried to get me pay them. They mistaken me with someone else. I hired a lawyer to appear with me in court. he charged me 750 dollar for two hours in court. He charged me but he did not appear in court when the time come. That lawyer did not even return my money. I then hired Teresa Vu to help me with my problem. She did a very good job to get me out of the trouble. she was honest, did not take my money and run away. I appreciated her for the work she did.
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28 Jan, 2013 by Harold harvey hawks
If it was not for the dedication, tenacity, knowledge and professional services provided by Steve Defilippis, I would still be in state prison today. I was convicted of second degree murder in 1986. I am fully culpable for the tragedy I committed and nothing but remorseful for it. Although I dedicated my life to change and rehabilitation from the beginning of my incarceration, after my second parole hearing in 2000, I realized that might not never get out of prison. It seemed hopeless. That is when I hired Steve, my life began to change for the better and hope began to take root. The facts of my crime and the politics of parole did not make for an easy case; in fact, the legal process of post-conviction parole issues are complex, frustrating and often arbitrary. Steve gave me solid advice on exactly what I needed to do while incarcerated to improve my chance of being found suitable. His advise helped me to grow and become a better man. More importantly, he fought long and hard for me in state and federal court until we finally won in the Riverside County Superior Court (2010) and the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division 2 (2012). I was found suitable for parole at a court ordered parole hearing on August 3, 2012 and released on parole after the Governor took no further action on January 8, 2013. Steve never gave up--even when it seemed there was no hope. He provided me with post-conviction legal assistance that was cutting-edge and at the forefront of the constantly changing arena of California parole law. His expertise is documented in published and unpublished case law. The office staff at Picone & Defilippis have always treated me with respect, kindness and genuine assistance that a person like me, convicted of murder, rarely receives from the public. The State of California needs more attorneys like Steve Defilippis who can bring balance to the scales of justice. I am sincerely grateful for the focused legal services that Steve and his staff provided for me. Those services continue today and into the future, because a successful period of parole and will require the guidance and experience of Steve to help me assimilate back into society.
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22 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
The best thing anybody can say about a lawyer it that they are fair. Mr. Kraus is very honest, fair, and ethical. His phone calls are fast, to the point, and therefore inexpensive. Anybody who has worked with legal representation knows the sound of the cash register ringing when you have long phone calls with your lawyer. Many lawyers drag out these calls longer than need be, and when you get the detailed invoice there are all types of “surprises.” Not so with Ed. He lets you know the status of the case, what is going on, and waste no money getting the case wrapped up. He has been described to me by other lawyers as a “pit bull” and I can see why. He can be as friendly and as tough as he needs to be. His knowledge of the law is amazing, and his honesty is very nice to see in the legal business. I can not rave enough about Ed and his firm, and I hope I never need to have a lawyer again, but if I must, I know whom I will be calling.
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19 Oct, 2012 by Matt
Richard Wilson helped me with family law custody issues. He listened to all my concerns, answered all my questions, and gave me very helpful advice. When I contacted him I was very worried about the well being of my son. I highly recommend his services.
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23 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Chris was referred for his expertise in a complex legal matter in which time was highly sensitive. He clearly shows both professionalism and depth of knowledge where criminal matters and family law intersect. I was grateful for his honest advice and action-oriented strategy to use his network to bring in co-counsel if necessary. Getting answers and moving quickly to find solutions to my case was so helpful after the disappointment of working with other attorneys who misled me regarding their scope of practice and experience. It's a relief to know there are attorneys like Chris who use your time efficiently, you can fully trust their expertise and will do anything to help you find solutions.
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03 Apr, 2015 by Katherine
Mr. Shebby began handling my case about seven years ago. In that time he has provided invaluable advice and guidance from a disputed divorce settlement transitioning to custody issues. In the beginning, Mr. Shebby was very honest with me about his experience and had been very fair with his billing. Being pregnant and unable to work (a biological hazardous lab technician) to a sleep deprived could not find employment single mother, I struggled to pay all of my legal bills; Mr. Shebby did not stop representing me nor sending it for collection. Instead, he set up an installment plan with me. His legal secretary is very punctual. She took care of the paperwork and kept up with all the submission deadlines to court. There was not an instance where we missed a court appearance or response to a filing. It was an incredibly stressful and trying time for me, Mr. Shebby was and continues to be exceedingly supportive and successful. Mr. Shebby won an argue for an ex parte move away order in my case, getting permission from the court to move out of state with a minor child in a custody dispute is very, very rare. I am greatly indebt to Mr. Shebby. He had allowing me to have a new start in life with my child again.
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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.

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