San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney Brian J. White Practice Areas

California laws and procedures related to criminal defense are complicated and require a skilled criminal defense lawyer to properly navigate through the process. Criminal defense Attorney Brian J. White fights for the rights of alleged criminal defense offenders in the city of San Diego, California, and surrounding California cities and counties. Attorney White delivers personalized attention to his clients by keeping case information detailed and accessible, and provides criminal defense legal solutions related to the following matters:

CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE:

Individuals found to violate a criminal law whether through their own admission of guilt or through the determination of a jury are subject to fines, imprisonment, probation and community service, among other penalties. The outcome of any criminal case depends upon the facts surrounding the crime charged, the strength of the evidence, the legal validity of law enforcement and courtroom procedure, and the goals and strategy of the government and defense. San Diego criminal defense Attorney Brian J. White will navigate you through this complicated legal process.

CALIFORNIA ARRAIGNMENTS:

After your arrest, booking and initial bail phases of the criminal process, the first stage of courtroom-based proceedings is the arraignment. During a typical arraignment, a person charged with a crime is called before a criminal court judge, who reads the criminal charges against the defendant, assigns a court-appointed attorney if the defendant cannot financially afford their own defense, asks the defendant how he or she pleads, i.e. guilty, not guilty, etc., alters the bail amount or releases the defendant on his or her own recognizance and announces dates of future proceedings in the case, such as the preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions and trial date.

CALIFORNIA DUI:

"DUI" stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance, to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their Blood Alcohol Content is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for at least 7 years; it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10-years of the new charge. For more information, please contact San Diego DUI lawyer Brian J. White.

CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS:

Traffic violations are specifically addressed in state statutes and can include: driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance, leaving the scene of an accident, DMV hearings and appeals. There is an entire body of law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on the streets and highways. The laws related to operating a vehicle can be difficult to interpret and apply. It is important to contact an experienced traffic/DUI defense lawyer if you have been charged with any traffic violations.

CALIFORNIA WHITE COLLAR CRIMES:

High-tech professionals, corporate executives and clergy who are criminally charged for offenses such as corporate theft, counterfeiting, embezzlement, forgery, hacking, fraud, tax evasions, or bad checks are often referred to as "white collar" offenders and are prosecuted for white collar crimes. In some cases, first-time offenders are convicted and sent to prison, even with no prior criminal history.

CALIFORNIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking. For more information, please contact San Diego domestic violence Attorney Brian J. White.

CALIFORNIA FELONY CRIMES:

Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping, assault and battery and Shaken Baby Syndrome. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.

If you or someone you know in San Diego, California, or within the surrounding cities and counties of California, needs the legal counsel or assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, please contact DUI Attorney Brian J. White, today at 866-236-1789, or complete the contact form provided on this site to begin your consultation with a skilled San Diego criminal defense trial attorney.