Being accused of a crime in La Mesa, CA can be a frightening and stressful experience. If you find yourself in this situation, a criminal defense attorney is invaluable in navigating the complexities of the legal system.
The La Mesa criminal defense attorneys at Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers should be your first call.
Our dedicated legal team has over a decade of criminal defense experience. We will explain your rights, fiercely advocate for you, and ensure you receive fair treatment throughout your case.
For help after an arrest or any other type of criminal matter in La Mesa, California, contact our law office to schedule a free consultation.
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How Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers Can Help If You’re Arrested in La Mesa, CA
A La Mesa criminal defense lawyer plays a crucial role in the legal process when someone is accused of a crime.
Our criminal defense lawyers in La Mesa, CA defend individuals charged with all types of crimes, ranging from minor misdemeanors to severe felonies. We represent clients in both state and federal courts. Our primary goal is to ensure that our clients receive fair representation throughout the legal process.
Here are some specific steps Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers can take to help you if you’re arrested in La Mesa, CA:
- Review the charges and evidence: We will examine the charges brought against you, review the evidence, and assess the strength of the case.
- Develop a defense strategy: We will conduct a thorough investigation and interview witnesses. Based on our analysis, we will create a tailored defense strategy, considering procedural, factual, and legal defenses.
- Negotiate a plea deal: In some situations, a plea deal may be in the client’s best interest. Our attorneys will negotiate with the prosecution to reduce charges or obtain a more favorable sentencing outcome.
- Represent you at trial: We will advocate for you during pretrial hearings, trials, and sentencing.
For help with any criminal matter, contact Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation with a criminal defense attorney in La Mesa.
What Are the Potential Penalties For a Criminal Conviction in La Mesa, California?
When facing criminal charges in California, it’s crucial to understand the potential consequences and penalties you may incur if found guilty.
The following are the most common potential penalties:
Jail/Prison Time
One of the most well-known consequences of criminal convictions is incarceration. Jail sentences are typically shorter and served in local or county jails, whereas prison sentences are longer and served in state or federal facilities. The length of incarceration depends on the severity of the crime and any prior criminal history.
Fines
Fines are monetary penalties imposed by the court in addition to or in place of incarceration. Fines can range from small amounts for minor infractions to hundreds of thousands of dollars for more serious crimes.
Probation
Probation serves as an alternative to incarceration and allows the individual to serve their sentence within the community under supervision. Probation involves following certain requirements, such as meeting with a probation officer, attending counseling sessions, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and not committing any new crimes.
Sex Offender Registration
Certain sex crimes result in mandatory registration as a sex offender. This registration carries long-lasting consequences, including limitations on housing and employment, as well as restrictions on proximity to schools or playgrounds. In some cases, registration may be required for life.
Collateral Consequences
In addition to the direct penalties imposed by the court, a criminal conviction can have far-reaching collateral consequences.
These can include:
- Difficulty securing employment
- Loss of professional licenses
- Loss of gun rights
- Denial of student loans
- Restrictions on housing
- Potential immigration consequences for non-citizens
A La Mesa criminal lawyer can protect your rights and minimize the potential penalties you’ll face.
What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’m Accused of a Crime in La Mesa, California?
The defenses available in your case will depend on various factors, including the crime, circumstances of your offense, and criminal record.
Here are some potential defenses that apply in common types of criminal cases.
DUI Defenses
Improper stop: If law enforcement did not have a valid reason to pull you over initially, any evidence gathered during the stop may be thrown out.
Breathalyzer/test accuracy: Here, the defense challenges the validity of the test results, often by arguing issues such as improper calibration or administration of the test.
Medical issues: Some medical and physical conditions can mimic the signs of impairment, creating a defense based on a false appearance of intoxication.
Defenses for Drug Crimes
Unlawful search and seizure: If the police obtained evidence against you through an unlawful search or seizure, your lawyer may be able to have that evidence excluded. This can severely weaken the prosecution’s case against you.
Lack of possession: Another common defense to drug charges is that you did not have actual or constructive possession of the drugs. Constructive possession occurs when the drugs are in a location under your control but not physically on your person.
To use the lack of possession defense, your attorney may need to demonstrate that:
- You did not have immediate access to the drugs
- The drugs belonged to someone else
- You did not have exclusive control over the location where the drugs were found
Entrapment: This defense asserts that law enforcement induced or enticed an otherwise law-abiding citizen to commit a crime.
Defenses for Violent Crimes
Violent crimes include rape, murder, assault, and robbery.
Potential defenses include:
Self-defense: This entails asserting that the defendant’s actions were justified because they were protecting themselves from harm.
Defense of others: Similar to self-defense, this defense argues that the defendant was protecting someone else from an immediate threat.
Mistake or accident: The defendant did not intend to commit the crime, but rather, it was an accident or mistake.
Insanity or mental illness: The defendant argues that they were unable to differentiate right from wrong or understand the consequences of their actions due to a mental disorder.
Defenses for Theft Crimes
Claim of right: The defendant believed they had the legal right to take or possess the property in question.
Entrapment: The defendant asserts that law enforcement induced them to commit the crime, which the defendant otherwise would not have committed.
Lack of intent: The defendant argues that they did not intend to commit the crime and that the conduct was unintentional or accidental.
Defenses for Sex Crimes
Sex crimes include rape, prostitution, sexual assault, indecent exposure, and child molestation.
Defenses in these types of cases may include:
Consent: In some instances, an accused person may argue that they reasonably believed the accuser consented to the encounter based on their actions or words.
False Allegations: False accusations can stem from various motives, such as jealousy, anger, or an attempt to gain leverage in another legal matter, like a divorce or custody battle. Criminal defense attorneys must meticulously review all available evidence to uncover the truth and build a credible defense.
Alibi: A strong alibi—that is, evidence establishing that the accused was elsewhere at the time of the alleged crime—can be a powerful defense in sex crime cases. To build an alibi defense, attorneys must gather various types of evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and travel records, to prove their client’s presence elsewhere when the offense occurred.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our La Mesa Criminal Defense Attorneys
Understanding the process, including the consequences, potential legal defenses, and the need to hire a professional criminal defense attorney, can help you prepare for an unexpected situation.
For help with a criminal matter in La Mesa, CA, contact Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
