Practice Areas Overview
The Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. represents clients in criminal matters in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Napa County, Mendocino County, Lake County and throughout Northern California. To learn more about Santa Rosa criminal attorney Evan Zelig, our legal services, or to discuss your case with an experienced attorney, contact us today for a free consultation. We have significant experience successfully handling all of the following types of criminal cases:
- Before Charges Are Filed
- DMV Suspensions
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Offenses
- Medical Marijuana
- DUI Defense
- Expungements
- Gang Related Offenses
- Hit & Run Offenses
- Internet Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Probation Violations
- Property & Theft Crimes
- Sex Offenses
- Three Strikes
- Violent Crimes
- Warrants
- Weapons Offenses
- White Collar Crimes
Before Charges Are Filed
If you have been contacted by law enforcement or you believe criminal charges are about to be filed against you, seek advice from an experienced defense attorney as early as possible. At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., we can protect your rights at every stage of a criminal investigation. In some cases, there may be sufficient evidence to dissuade prosecutors from even filing charges. To learn more, visit our overview of representation before charges are filed.
DMV Suspensions
A charge of driving on a suspended license can lead to jail time, probation, and heavy fines. It is important to hire a capable attorney to fight for you. The Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. has considerable experience successfully defending clients facing license suspension or charges of driving on a suspended license. To learn more, visit our DMV suspensions overview.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence crimes can be charged as either misdemeanor or felony offenses, depending on the seriousness of the case and the criminal history of the accused. Penalties can include jail or state prison, probation, community service, court-ordered counseling, and substantial fines. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and help reduce your exposure to the life-changing repercussions of a domestic violence conviction. To learn more, visit our domestic violence overview.
Drug Offenses
Law enforcement gathers most drug-related evidence through search and seizure, but the U.S. Constitution ensures every person the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. If the police illegally obtained evidence against you, that evidence cannot be used in a criminal case. It takes a skilled criminal defense attorney to challenge unlawful searches and seizures in court. At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., we have significant experience successfully handling these cases. To learn more, visit our drug offenses overview.
DUI Defense
In California, a DUI arrest leads to two separate cases: an administrative case before the DMV and a criminal case in Superior Court. You have only ten days from the date of your arrest to contact the DMV to request an administrative hearing to try to keep your license. It is important to hire a skilled attorney as soon as possible who can advise you of your rights and options and to help you keep your license. To learn more, visit our DUI defense overview.
Expungements
In California, some criminal convictions can be dismissed through post-conviction relief, or “expungement.” Obtaining an expungement or post-conviction dismissal of your case can be beneficial in a wide variety of ways, such as allowing you to get a better job, better credit, and certain professional licenses. It may also have immigration-related advantages, such as helping you avoid deportation and/or improving your chances of being granted U.S. citizenship. To learn more, visit our expungements overview.
Gang Related Offenses
Gang allegations and gang enhancements are regularly tacked onto criminal charges when the District Attorney’s office believes the felony was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang. Being convicted of these gang offenses and allegations could add many years to a person’s prison sentence and in some cases make their case punishable by life in prison. The Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. handles all types of gang related offenses, including those falling under three strikes laws, and can help you seek the best possible resolution to your case. To learn more, visit our gang related offenses overview.
Hit & Run Offenses
Hit and run convictions can come with extraordinary penalties. At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., we provide effective and aggressive representation in misdemeanor and felony hit and run cases throughout the North Bay. To learn more, visit our hit and run offenses overview.
Internet Crimes
The Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. represents criminal defendants in cases involving an array of computer and internet crimes, such as internet fraud, phishing, credit card fraud, illegal downloading, illegal distribution of viruses/spam, illegal access, data interference, misuses of device, identity theft, possession of child pornography, and distributing child pornography. To learn more about our work in this area, visit the internet crimes overview.
Juvenile Crimes
Although the goal of the juvenile court is to rehabilitate rather than punish, children can still face serious penalties if they are judged to have committed a criminal offense. In some cases, children can be tried in adult courts and face adult penalties. An experienced criminal defense attorney can provide much-needed advice and protection for a child facing charges. To learn more, visit our juvenile crimes overview.
Probation Violations
The outcome of a probation violation case will vary depending upon several factors considered by the judge and prosecutor. A skilled attorney can properly prepare you for the hearing and increase the chances of securing a favorable result. To learn more, visit our probation violations overview.
Property & Theft Crimes
The Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. provides zealous representation in cases involving a range of property and theft crimes, such as auto theft, burglary, embezzlement, extortion, fraud, grand theft, petty theft, identity theft, shoplifting, robbery, and receiving stolen property. To learn more, visit the property and theft crimes overview.
Sex Offenses
If you are being investigated for a sex crime, or charges have already been filed against you, we can protect your rights. At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., we have significant experience representing criminal defendants in cases involving sex offenses, such as lewd or lascivious acts, rape, and prostitution. We can protect your rights and provide trusted advice throughout the process. To learn more, visit the sex offenses overview.
Three Strikes
Under California’s “three strikes” law, if an individual with two prior convictions for “strike offenses” is convicted of a third offense, he or she must be sentenced to at least 25 years-to-life in state prison. These incredibly stringent rules can result in disproportionately severe consequences for a conviction for even a minor felony. For details about these harsh laws, including the types of charges that are deemed “strike offenses,” see the three strikes overview.
Violent Crimes
Any crime which included a threat of or an act of violence can be classified as a “violent crime,” substantially increasing the consequences of a conviction. Most violent crimes are classified as felonies, and can include assault, battery, armed robbery, murder, manslaughter, gang-related offenses, kidnapping, arson, domestic violence, carjacking, and various types of sexual assault. For details about these crimes, see the violent crimes overview.
Warrants
A warrant is an official document ordering the police to arrest a person or to ensure that a criminal defendant appears in court, typically after he or she has failed to appear at a proceeding. Known respectively as “arrest” or “bench” warrants, these two types of warrants often carry with them the possibility of enhanced legal consequences. To learn more about what to do in the event you find out that a warrant has been issued in your name, visit the warrants overview.
Weapons Offenses
Typically, weapons offenses concern the possession of a dangerous weapon, such as a firearm, or the use of such a weapon during the commission of a crime. The State of California is particularly stringent in the application of its various laws concerning the use and possession of weapons, making it essential that anyone facing weapons charges consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. For details, see the weapons offenses overview.
White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes typically involve accusations of impropriety committed for the purpose of financial gain, usually by a person of professional advantage or power in a business setting. Some crimes falling under this heading include fraud, money laundering, forgery, bribery, counterfeiting, or embezzlement. These offenses often encompass a web of complex, frequently-changing laws and regulations, requiring the assistance of an experienced criminal attorney. For details about our work in this area, see the white collar crimes overview.
Contact Evan E. Zelig, a Santa Rosa criminal defense lawyer, representing clients in Sonoma County, Napa County, Mendocino County, Marin County, Lake County and all of the North Bay area.
