Jackson Law

At Jackson Law, our dedicated and strong legal defense attorneys have been tirelessly representing clients charged with crimes in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years. We understand that if you are charged with a crime, you may experience fear, confusion, and anger. However, there are several steps between an arrest or charge and a conviction, and an effective defense strategy can help you protect your rights and keep your record clean. Our lawyers have the experience and skill needed to navigate the California criminal courts and will set forth persuasive arguments on your behalf. We represent criminal defendants throughout the Bay Area, including in San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

Criminal Defense Overview

Our experienced attorneys are adept at fighting both felony and misdemeanor charges of all varieties. We employ several tactics to help our clients defeat charges, including introducing evidence that counters the State's evidence. If the police obtained evidence during an illegal search and seizure, we can argue that such evidence should be suppressed. Depending on the nature of the crime, we can argue that a client's actions were justified by self-defense or another legal doctrine. The precise defenses available will depend on the facts surrounding your arrest.

DUI

In California, you can be charged with a DUI if your blood alcohol content exceeds 0.08%, or if the investigating officer finds that you were driving while impaired by alcohol. Regardless of the basis of your DUI charge, the State must show that the police had a reasonable suspicion that you were engaged in criminal activity prior to pulling you over. If your stop and arrest constituted an unreasonable search and seizure, any evidence obtained during the stop may be inadmissible. A DUI conviction can result in significant fines, the loss of your license, and possibly jail time. Thus, if you are charged with a DUI, it is critical to retain a seasoned San Mateo County criminal defense attorney to assist you in devising a strategy.

Drug Crimes

Under the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, controlled dangerous substances are classified into schedules. You can be charged with a drug crime if you possess a controlled dangerous substance for which you do not have a prescription. You can also be charged with a crime for selling or manufacturing drugs. The severity of the charge will depend on both the type and the quantity of the drug that you are charged with possessing, selling, or manufacturing. There may be numerous defenses available to drug charges, including entrapment and illegal searches and seizures. In some cases, a defendant may be eligible to attend a pre-trial diversion program as an alternative to jail time.

Sex Crimes

In California, a conviction of a sex crime may come with significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The convicted individual may be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his or her life. Being charged with a sex crime can threaten your liberties and devastate your career and relationships. However, there are often defenses that a criminal defense attorney can set forth to avoid a conviction. Many sex crime charges arise out of circumstantial evidence, and there is often a battle of credibility between the accuser and the defendant. In some cases, a defendant may be able to prove that they were wrongfully accused or that the act was consensual.

Theft Crimes

In California, there are numerous theft crimes with which a person can be charged, such as robbery, embezzlement, petty theft, and grand theft. In many theft cases, the State must prove the defendant's intent. Therefore, if you can show that you did not knowingly take the property or intend to deprive the rightful owner of the property, you may be able to convince a jury that you are not guilty. Alternatively, if you can establish that the owner of the property consented to your taking the property, you should be able to avoid a conviction. We can advise you of the full extent of your available defenses if you are charged with a theft crime.

Assault and Battery

People often refer to assault and battery as a single crime. However, under California law, they are two distinct criminal acts. Assault is an attempted use of violence or force against a person, while battery is a willful touching of a person. If you are charged with assault or battery, you should retain an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney to help you protect your rights and defend yourself against these charges.