Chico Criminal Defense Lawyer

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Chico Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of committing a crime in Butte County, it is important to seek legal counsel quickly. Criminal defense lawyers can represent you through a wide array of charges, no matter how daunting your situation may seem. Because the knowledge that a Chico criminal defense lawyer brings to your case is irreplaceable, it is imperative that you retain one as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.

The team at Eric Alan Berg & Associates can assist you as you walk through the criminal trial process in California. Being accused of a crime is no small matter and can often be a great source of anxiety and confusion. If you are in a situation where you believe a defense attorney can be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to reach out. Contact Eric Alan Berg & Associates to learn more about how our legal counsel can make a difference in your life today.

Chico Criminal Defense Lawyer

What to Do If You Are Arrested in California

Being arrested can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. The most important thing you can do in this situation is to stay calm and maintain orderly conduct. The Constitution protects your right to ask for an attorney to represent you, which is one of the next steps you should take. By securing legal counsel early in the process, you will minimize the amount of time that you are left alone in interrogations and other legal proceedings.

It is not uncommon for individuals to say things during a police interrogation that can be used against them later on by a prosecution team, regardless of whether or not they are guilty. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you gain legal representation as soon as possible. It’s also important to remember not to panic. No matter how frightening your situation may seem, an experienced attorney can help you understand your options and how to get through it.

Our Butte County Criminal Defense Services

There are multiple areas the team at Eric Alan Berg & Associates can defend clients in. Some of the most common services we provide include:

DUI Defense. A drunk driving conviction can bring with it hefty fines and even jail time. If they build up on your record, you could be facing even more problems. A criminal defense attorney can help you navigate this stressful and confusing legal process.
Expungement. Having a felony on your personal record can have great negative impacts on your day-to-day life. It is not as easy as some may think to get a felony expunged. An experienced lawyer can help you jump through the appropriate hoops towards the goal of expungement.
Investigative Services. It is difficult to get much done in the legal world without actual proof of a crime being committed. Whether you suspect an employee is stealing from you or your business, or you need more information on the status of your children’s caregivers, a defense attorney can help you get the details you need.
Juvenile Defense. It is extremely difficult to tackle a case in which a child is accused of committing a crime. This area of law demands specific experience and knowledge. Eric Alan Berg & Associates has 26 years of experience defending and fighting for children and providing legal counsel to their families.
Sex Crimes. There are few crimes that are treated with the same amount of harshness as sex crimes. If you are the one being accused of committing such crimes, it is important to have representation that knows what details to look for and how to build a strong case that can defend your situation.
Domestic Violence. Accusations of domestic violence can bring restraints into your life and create a heavy burden on your reputation within your community. In these situations, it is important to seek experienced legal counsel who can tackle the accusations quickly and with precision.

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You

There are a myriad of ways in which a defense attorney can assist you during a criminal case in Butte County. The main focus of a defense attorney is to protect your rights as the defendant. They can do so not only inside the courtroom but in the proceedings that lead up to your trial as well. A skilled lawyer can also help you better understand your rights and varying legal options in your unique situation.

Life does not stop just because you have been accused of a crime. A defense attorney has the time and experience needed to prepare a proper defense for you. They can sift through all of the evidence relating to your charges, looking for discrepancies or ways to use the evidence in your favor. Your attorney can interview witnesses, call in expert testimony, offer you advice, and more.

The bottom line is, while hiring a defense attorney is a personal decision to be made, doing so significantly increases your chances of having a defense plan that is well-planned, strategic, and detailed. This is exactly the type of defense strategy you need to fight for a positive outcome in a criminal case.

Fighting for Optimal Outcomes

While it is not always possible to have a criminal trial dismissed, there are a variety of ways that a defense lawyer can fight for an optimal outcome. Because every criminal case is different, the most positive outcome and the strategy needed to obtain it will vary. Some of the ways an experienced defense lawyer can help you include:

Avoiding or reducing jail or prison time.
Avoiding or reducing fines and penalties.
Reducing bail bonds.
Getting rid of your criminal record.
Acquiring a reduction of charges.
Getting rid of charges against you for failing to appear in court.

Negotiating Plea Deals

One of the most important things that a defense lawyer can do is negotiate a plea deal with the prosecuting attorney. While not every case allows for plea deals to exist, they can make a massive difference. A defense attorney is also able to use their investigative skills to create reasonable doubt before the judge or jury. Do not let the fact that you are guilty keep you from seeking the help of a criminal defense attorney.

Personal and Individualized Assistance for Those Who Need It Most

Eric Alan Berg & Associates aims to provide a detailed, personalized experience for every client. We care deeply about understanding your position and your situation so that we can accurately defend you. Your hardships are our hardships. Our adept attorneys are ready and equipped to build a strong defense case that will work on your behalf.

Eric Alan Berg & Associates serves the Chico area, defending individuals through criminal cases each day. With years of experience in criminal law, family law matters, and more, our team is ready and equipped to serve you well.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in California?

A: The average cost of a criminal defense lawyer in California varies based on location, firm, services needed, and other variables. Attorneys in California charge a wide range for representation, and you can expect each lawyer to have a different rate. Some charge by the hour, and others will have a contingency fee where their payment comes out of the settlement if they are successful.

It is important to have an attorney who is able to adequately handle your specific case and meet your budget goals.

Q: How Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend Someone Who Is Guilty?

A: There are many tactics and strategies that defense lawyers use to defend a guilty client. The goal is not always to prove innocence. If a client has strong evidence against them that proves their guilt, a defense lawyer can still be of great help. They can help the client plead, fight for a less severe sentence, fight for a plea bargain, and ensure that all evidence presented against their client is valid.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Lawyer and an Attorney in California?

A: While the terms lawyer and attorney are sometimes used interchangeably, there is one notable difference between what the two words actually represent. The term lawyer refers to anyone who has successfully completed law school. Attorneys are those who have not only completed law school but who have also passed the California bar exam.

Q: Should I Tell My Lawyer Everything After I’m Arrested?

A: It is important to share all details of your situation with your lawyer. Details that may seem unimportant to you have the possibility of making a big difference in your case. An experienced lawyer will know how to both protect your information and use it to your benefit. The knowledge that is not shared with your lawyer could work against you down the road in court, which is why it is wise to be honest.

Eric Alan Berg & Associates: Trusted Criminal Defense Attorneys in Butte County

Criminal accusations are not things to take lightly. They can pose a serious threat to your emotional well-being, reputation, and even the freedom you have in your everyday life. Eric Alan Berg & Associates is the team you need to fight for your rights and defend you in court. Contact us today to learn more about how we can represent you today.

On May 4, 2018, Attorneys of Eric Alan Berg and Associates successfully suppressed evidence in a DUI case resulting in a complete dismissal. The client had been pulled over on a Friday night leaving the Market Street Steakhouse. A Redding police officer claimed that his tail light was out and initiated a traffic stop. Unbeknownst to the officer, the car had just passed a safety inspection a few weeks before. The defense subpoenaed the inspection records and called the technician who serviced the car to testify to explain that the light was working properly, and called an eye witness who saw that the light was in working condition the morning after the arrest. The client can now return to work without fear of any license restrictions, probation, or punishment.

DUI Dismissal

A man in his 60’s was charged with molesting and sodomizing five boys in a 35 year period. The sheriffs detective knew at least one of the boys had recanted but he hid the tape recording wherein the boy said it never happened. The district attorney had to search the sheriff’s computer himself to find the tape showing the man’s innocence and showing that the boy said he was innocent.

False accusation of multiple molestation

We represented an old man who was accused of sexually molesting his girl friend’s daughter. The prosecutor claimed that he confessed on tape. The defense showed that it was no confession. Many of the jurors found the defendant not guilty. The defendant eventually avoided state prison and was freed.

False accusation of molestation of girl friends daughter

Our client was a probation officer and was charged with sexually molesting his neighbor and his adopted foster daughter. The defense showed that his daughter had a long history of falsely accusing people of serious crimes. The defense also presented the daughters long history of mental illness. The defense also showed that the police lost a crucial recorded statement of another complaining witness. Many jurors found the accused innocent of the charges and the court dismissed the charges after the first trial.

False accusation of adopted child molestation

Our client was charged with sexually molesting his adopted step-daughter. The district attorney claimed that he had a confession on tape. The defense showed that it was not a confession but a set up. Many jurors found the defendant not guilty and the court dismissed all of the charges. In that case, the accuser originally accused our client of molesting her for many months. The district attorney tried to change the story when we proved that he wasn’t even in town when these crimes supposedly occurred.

False accusation of molestation of step daughter

We defended two Hells Angels accused of rape. At the trial we proved that the accuser exchanged her phone number with one of the other old bikers at the clubhouse, a few minutes after the alleged rape. Through our investigation, we learned that the accuser, a young woman in her early twentys had borrowed her father’s car for the night. She returned it late, making him late for work in the morning. She needed a good excuse. The excuse she used was that she had been raped by two Hells Angels.

False accusation of rape

An old man in his 70’s was charged with threatening 2 sheriff deputies with his Chinese assault rifle . This man was a famous newspaper editor and publisher in the county. He was a regular critic of the Sheriff. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. On Christmas Eve, he and his wife had been burning rat’s nests on his property in Hayfork. As the fire got out of control and spread prisoners from the local fire camp were called to put it out. They were up all night making noise and causing his dog to bark which kept him and his wife and his dog awake on Christmas eve. He went down to the prisoners and told them to be quiet and then went back home.

False accusation of threatening of Sheriff Police.

Recently, a client of ours was facing multiple charges including possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, which is a prison eligible felony. Additionally, the DA in the case was looking to add more prison eligible felonies such as bringing a controlled substance into a jail. Eric Alan Berg & Associates was able to negotiate an agreement with the DA where our client plead to only two misdemeanor charges of possession of a firearm and controlled substance.

Securing Misdemeanor Deal when Client charged with Strikes

Recently we had a client who was arrested for possession of drugs and child abuse. Attorney Eric Berg was able to convince the DA to file only the drug possession charge and not the child abuse charge. Further, if our client continues with their treatment plan the entire case will be dismissed in six months without ever requiring our client to plead guilty or no-contest. If you or someone you know is facing legal troubles give our offices a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!

Facilitating Substance Abuse Treatment and avoiding a Criminal Record

Recently a client retained us who was stopped for a traffic violation while they were transporting a couple of pounds of marijuana, which was discovered by law enforcement during the stop. Our offices were able to get all their charges and case dismissed in court. If you or someone you know has been arrested for similar crimes, give our offices a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!

Marijuana Transportation Case Dismissed

Before retaining us, our client had a number of pending cases, and some matters being investigated by law enforcement. They took a plea bargain in which they plead guilty to three of their pending cases, with the understanding that the rest of their pending cases would be dismissed and any un-filed cases would not be filed. Shortly after entering this agreement, the DA’s office filed charges related to an investigation that began before they entered the agreement. We successfully argued that the DA’s office breached the plea agreement, and had the plea agreement enforced – meaning the new case was dismissed. If you or someone you know is in need of an attorney, give us a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!