MENU

Riverside:

(951) 667-5293

Orange County:

(714) 758-5293

who you hire can make all the difference

Mr. Donath has spent his entire career defending people and standing up for the rights of the accused.

request a free consultation
  • former deputy public defender

    As a former Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County, Mr. Donath has always been on the defense side of the law. 

  • award winning certified criminal law specialist

    Top 100 Trial Attorneys in California 2012-2014, 2008 Trial Attorney of the Year by the Riverside County Public Defender's Office, and dozens of other awards and accolades.

  • a true passion for defending the accused

    Your lawyer should have a passion for defense, not just a passion for money. Reputation, vigor, and determination go a long way in this business.

Request Consultation

request a free confidential consultation

*all fields are required
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Blog

What To Do if You Are Accused of Child Molestation

Posted in California Law,Sex Crimes on June 9, 2022

Being falsely accused of any crime can be devastating—but if you are falsely accused of child molestation, the situation becomes even more harrowing. Despite the anger and embarrassment you may feel, you must focus on disproving the charges against you and formulating your defense. Your very liberty depends upon it. Hiring a seasoned and knowledgeable…

Read More

What Is Sodomy?

Posted in Criminal Defense,Sex Crimes on June 9, 2022

A crude but honest definition of sodomy is simply “anal sex.” In the state of California, sodomy is a crime when it occurs between an adult and a minor or if it occurs in the context of non-consensual anal sex between adults. “Anal sex” under California law involves the penetration of one person’s penis into…

Read More

Teen Sexting Laws in California

Posted in California Law,Sex Crimes on June 9, 2022

The act of sending sexually suggestive or nude images via an electronic device is known as sexting, and it can be illegal if teens are involved. Sexting usually occurs via text messages or social media platforms but can also be carried out via email or other electronic means. Teenagers, most of which are minors, commonly…

Read More

California Blackmail Laws

Posted in California Law,Criminal Defense on June 9, 2022

Blackmail, the common term for extortion, is a serious crime in the state of California. If convicted, defendants risk time behind bars and significant fines. Under California Penal Code, blackmail and extortion are one in the same and thus governed by the state’s extortion laws. If you are facing a blackmail charge, you need to…

Read More

What Happens if You Get Caught With a Privately Made Firearm or Ghost Gun? 

Posted in California Law on May 31, 2022

Self-assembled or otherwise privately made firearms or so-called “ghost” guns are not illegal to own in the state of California, provided the owner goes through the process to register the ghost gun with the California Department of Justice (DOJ). Laws requiring these guns to be registered were passed in 2018. Up until that time, guns…

Read More

Can You Carry a Loaded Gun in Your Car in California? 

Posted in California Law,Criminal Defense on May 8, 2022

You risk being charged with a gun crime if you carry a loaded gun in your car in California. As a rule, the only way that you can legally transport a firearm in California is if the firearm is unloaded and either locked in the trunk or inside a container inside the vehicle. Whether as…

Read More

Can a Felon Own a Gun in California?

Posted in California Law on May 5, 2022

Convicted felons lose their right to own a gun in the state of California. Furthermore, California is notoriously tough when it comes to guns, and its gun laws are among the strictest in the United States. Even some misdemeanor convictions can result in a permanent ban on gun ownership under California law, including handguns, long…

Read More

What is White-Collar Crime?

Posted in Criminal Defense on April 24, 2022

Nonviolent offenses committed solely for financial gain are cataloged under an encompassing umbrella known as “white-collar crime.” If you watched the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, based on the life of convicted white-collar criminal Jordan Belfort, then you have had a fairly accurate primer on white-collar crime. Belfort was convicted in 1999 of…

Read More

What is Restitution? 

Posted in Criminal Defense on April 11, 2022

When a judge sentences a defendant in a criminal case, you may hear the term “restitution” tossed around as part of the penalty phase of the case. Restitution is money paid to crime victims to compensate them for their losses. It is quite common for defendants to be required to pay restitution to help make…

Read More

Is Pepper Spray Legal in California?

Posted in California Law,Criminal Defense on March 21, 2022

If you find yourself involved in an incident involving pepper spray in California, the legal ramifications could be complicated. That is because it is legal to purchase, own, and use pepper spray if used in self-defense, which can be subjectively arguable from case to case. It is essential to understand the more specific details and…

Read More