Santa Ana Criminal Defense Lawyer

A Santa Ana criminal attorney is your most valuable ally when you are facing criminal charges. Without a deliberate and strategic defense campaign, the prosecution can aggressively execute their case against you unchecked. This leaves you open to massive injustices such as undeserved convictions, tremendous penalties and the suspension of many of your civil rights. When you are facing the loss of your freedom, reputation, career and relationships, don't wait to enlist the help of a legal professional who will battle by your side for a positive outcome in your case. The sooner you bring legal representation on board, the more opportunity they have to lead an effective defense on your behalf.

Defending Criminal Charges

Our firm has extensive experience across the gamut of criminal charges and knows how best to approach charges involving:

DUI DUI charges initiate two proceedings against you: a criminal case and administrative actions against your driver's license. Your legal counsel can represent you in both and question the validity of your stop, any tests administered and more. Our firm can help if you are facing a DUI & drugs, a suspended license or a charge of vehicular manslaughter. Read about DUI...

Gang Related Crimes Our founding attorney spent 18 years as a gang homicide prosecutor with the Orange County District Attorney's Office and trained police and other DA's of the Orange County Gang Investigator's Association. His experience on this side of the process gives us rare and invaluable insight into how best to defend gang related crimes. Read about gang related crimes...

Street Terrorism California Law contains specific legislation known as the California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act aimed at "fear, intimidation, and physical harm caused by the activities of violent groups and individuals." These types of crimes are aggressively prosecuted and require the defense of a skilled criminal attorney. Learn about street terrorism...

Drug Crimes Drug charges can include possession, transportation, distribution and cultivation, any one of which has the potential of resulting in imprisonment if you are convicted. Penalties are affected by the type and amount of drug involved, the specific circumstances of the alleged offense and your criminal record. Click here to learn more about drug crimes...

Theft Crimes Theft crimes take many forms, such as burglary, robbery, shoplifting, larceny, breaking and entering, carjacking, unauthorized use of credit and more. Even if funds or property are not successfully stolen, an alleged attempt can still lead you to being charged with a theft crime. Click here to read more about theft crimes...

Assault Assault charges apply to any situation in which an individual's communication or behavior threatens the likely application of force to another person. An attempt to commit an act of this kind, with the ability to do so, legally constitutes assault, whether or not physical violence actually occurred. Learn more about assault...

Aggravated Assault An assault charge may be enhanced to a charge of aggravated assault if certain factors are allegedly present. These include attempting to cause serious bodily injury to another person, or threatening to do so while being able to carry out that threat. The use of a deadly weapon or violence against police officers and other public servants may also lead to this charge. Read about aggravated assault...

Battery Whereas assault refers to the threatened or attempted use of violent force against another, battery involves the actual application of force or violence to another person. Certain factors may lead to charges of aggravated battery. Defenses can include self defense, defense or others, unintentional acts and more. Learn more about battery...

Domestic Violence Domestic violence charges are treated very seriously in California and law enforcement may choose to continue the case against a suspect even if the alleged victim does not wish to press charges. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and more and such a case can have a severe adverse effect on any custody actions. Learn about domestic violence...

Sex Crimes Sex crimes include any offense of a sexual nature, including rape, child pornography, prostitution, solicitation, indecent exposure, sexual abuse, internet sex crimes and more. Many sex offenses are charged as felonies and penalties can include fines, imprisonment, lifetime registration as a sex offender and more. Read more about sex crimes...

Murder Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. This can include the killing of a fetus where circumstances make the action unlawful. Murder charges are divided into first degree and second degree, depending on the specific factors of the case. This can affect the potential penalties involved, though they are severe in either case. Read about murder...

Manslaughter Manslaughter charges are divided into those of voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. The former applies to a killing committed during a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion. The latter applies to causing a death without malice, an intent to kill, nor a conscious disregard for human life. In some cases, a murder charge may be reduced to a voluntary manslaughter charge. Learn about manslaughter...

Juvenile Crimes Charges relating to juvenile crime require defense by a dedicated legal team sensitive to the potential effects such an experience can have on the life of a young person. A strategic approach to such a case can save the child from risk to their education and employment opportunities, emotional distress and in some cases, a life of crime. Read about juvenile crimes...

Expungement Expungement is a clearing of your criminal record which offers many advantages, including the right to answer "no" to questions of whether you have a criminal record on job applications, housing applications and the like. Our legal team can help you to determine if you qualify for expungement, help you become eligible when possible and guide you through the entire process. Learn about expungement...

Weapon Offenses Weapon offenses refer to those involving the unlawful possession or use or a weapon of any description. Penalties can vary depending on the type of weapon, what was allegedly done or attempted with the use of a weapon and the amount of weapons involved or the scope of the operation. Read about weapon offenses...

Experienced Legal Counsel Fighting for Your Rights

Mr. Schaffer knows the justice system inside out, having spent nearly two decades with the District Attorney's Office. As the Senior Orange County Deputy District Attorney, he trained Deputy DA's in all aspects of trial practice, evidence, voir dire, direct and cross examination, opening, closing and more. He has unparalleled experience with serious cases, special circumstance cases and third strike cases and many of his legal efforts have garnered media attention. Regardless of the charges you are facing, our legal team can take our experience and knowledge and develop a compelling defense on your behalf. We offer a free consultation so that you may have your questions answered and find out how we can help you.

If you have been charged with or accused of a crime, contact a Santa Ana criminal defense attorney right away.