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

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  • 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.

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Blog

CA Health & Safety Codes 11378 and 11377

Posted in General FAQ'S on May 15, 2017

California has several laws regarding the sale and possession of illicit substances. There are two health and safety codes that relate to methamphetamine in particular: 11378 HS and 11377 HS. These two codes break down what is illegal in the state when it comes to methamphetamine, as well as the penalties lawbreakers may face. Here…

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1 in 3 Defendants in San Diego Not Convicted

Posted in General FAQ'S on April 26, 2017

San Diego County has displayed some interesting trends in conviction and acquittal rates for criminal cases over the past few years. According to an internal District Attorney’s Office analysis of trial results for recent years, the court system has convicted roughly one out of every three defendants in San Diego County criminal cases. Some argue…

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CA’s Open Carry Laws: Penal Code 25850 & 26510

Posted in General FAQ'S on April 19, 2017

California has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States. California firearm owners need to understand the state’s gun laws, or they risk facing stiff penalties and possibly even criminal prosecution. While the gun registration and purchasing laws in the state are generally straightforward, California’s open carry laws have been a hot topic…

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How are Compensatory and Punitive Damages Decided?

Posted in General FAQ'S on April 12, 2017

A personal injury lawsuit is a common choice for people who suffer injuries and other damages due to the negligent actions of others. In a typical personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff can reasonably expect to win compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and lost income resulting from the incident in question….

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Punishments for Handicap Placard Abuse in California

Posted in General FAQ'S on March 31, 2017

The state of California has a serious problem with disability fraud; specifically, one in eight California drivers have handicap placards for their cars, allowing free metered parking and access to easily accessible parking spots. Since it stands to reason that it is not possible for that many California drivers to have disabilities, widespread placard fraud…

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A Primer on California’s Basic Gun Laws

Posted in General FAQ'S on March 30, 2017

The United States has a storied history of protecting the Second Amendment, which guarantees citizens the right to own and bear firearms. The state of California enables residents to exercise their Second Amendment right to bear arms safely, with as little risk as possible to public safety. California has adopted some of the most thorough…

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Explaining “Wobbler” Offenses in California

Posted in General FAQ'S on March 29, 2017

Criminal offenses generally fall into one of two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are typically light or nonviolent offenses such as petty theft, unpaid fines, or traffic violations. Felonies are more serious, such as violent assaults, fraud, murder, and gross negligence. In the state of California, the law defines “wobbler” offenses as any offense that…

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Top Defense Strategies in Criminal Elder Abuse Cases

Posted in General FAQ'S on February 28, 2017

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), as many as five million elders may suffer abuse in the United States every year. In most cases, family members are the abusers. Considering the statistics, families and caregivers often cast a suspicious eye on anything that seems out of the ordinary. A professional caregiver or family…

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Murder vs. Homicide: What’s the Difference?

Posted in General FAQ'S on February 24, 2017

All murders are homicides, but not all homicides are murders. Although people use the words interchangeably, homicide is actually a broader term that includes every purposeful act of killing including both murder and self-defense. The difference between murder and homicide could mean the difference between a lifetime in prison and freedom. Breaking Down the Differences…

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Watch Out for “Can You Hear Me Now” Scam

Posted in General FAQ'S on February 21, 2017

A new scam is – allegedly – wreaking havoc across the United States. While still unproven according to Snopes, the scam represents a potential threat to some answers. Knowledge of telephone answering scams remains one of the best ways to avoid victimization. People are calling it the “Can you hear me now?” scam, and here’s…

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