Criminal Defense Attorney in Santa Rosa, California

Within two court days of an arrest, the defendant will hear the charges against him or her in an arraignment. This is where you can enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Bail can also be increased or reduced at this hearing.

If the case moves forward, it will move on to the discovery phase, where the defense attorney and the prosecutor share information. This is also the time when pre-trial motions can be filed. For instance, your attorney may be able to request that certain evidence be thrown out from the case because an arrest or search was invalid. It may also be possible that your lawyer could negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor, where you plead guilty in exchange for a lesser charge or reduced penalties. If you can’t reach a plea bargain or case dismissal, however, then your case could move on to a trial. At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., we are ready to advocate for your rights and guide you step-by-step through the process to the best result possible.