Ontario Criminal Defense Attorney

Facing criminal charges in Ontario can be a stressful and challenging situation without the right attorney. A public defender may come at no cost, but public defenders can rarely provide the same level of personalized attention that a private criminal defense firm can offer. If you or a loved one face any kind of criminal charges, contact the experienced Ontario criminal defense attorneys at Graham Donath Law Offices, APC and schedule a free consultation to find out how our firm can help.

Why Hire the Law Offices of Graham D. Donath?

Choosing the right defense attorney in San Bernardino and the Inland Empire can make a dramatic impact on the outcome of any criminal case. Regardless of whether you face a DUI charge, drug trafficking charges, or a wrongful accusation of murder, the right criminal attorney can help you plead down to a lesser charge, avoid serious legal penalties, or prove your innocence in a court of law.

• Unlike other local firms, Graham Donath focuses exclusively on criminal defense, providing clients with focused attention.
• Graham Donath is a former Deputy Public Defender of Riverside County and earned the distinction of Misdemeanor Trial Attorney of the Year.
• Graham Donath is a member of the California Public Defender’s Association, California Attorneys For Criminal Justice, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Criminal Defense panel of Riverside County, and the Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside County Bar Associations.
• Our firm offers free consultations to potential new clients so they can better understand their legal options before committing to representation.

Why You Might Need an Ontario Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being charged with a crime is scary, regardless of what your charges are. Whether you have been arrested and spent time in jail, are out on bond, or are being investigated for a crime, you should consider seeking assistance from an Ontario criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

As soon as you are questioned by the police, tell them you want to speak with an attorney in Ontario. Anything you say to the police can be used against you in the court, but your attorney will be able to advise you against saying anything that could further incriminate you.

Regardless of whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, any type of crime can result in harsh punishments. This can include prison and jail time as well as lofty fines. A criminal conviction will be on your permanent record and can affect your ability to get a job, find housing, and attend school.

In this country, you have the right to legal assistance from the state. A public defender will take your case at no cost, but please understand that a public defender can rarely provide you with the same level of personalized attention that a private criminal defense attorney can. Public defenders are good at what they do. They are skilled attorneys, but they also handle many cases at a time. A private criminal defense attorney may only be handling your case and will be able to ensure you are their focus.

How an Ontario Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

When you face criminal charges, the local District Attorney’s office will prosecute your case. Depending on the severity of the charges against you and the immediately available evidence, you may need to remain in jail until your arraignment where you will enter a plea. Criminal defense attorney Graham Donath can meet with you after your arrest and help you establish your options. As one of the Top 100 Trial Attorneys in Southern California, Graham Donath has extensive knowledge with all manners of criminal defense cases in San Bernardino County California and intimate knowledge of the California justice system.

Your Ontario criminal defense attorney is your advocate, the person who has the expertise to ensure you are treated fairly by the police and prosecutors. Your Ontario criminal defense attorney has a number of responsibilities that they will attend. This includes responsibilities both in and out of the courtroom.

Meet With You

Your attorney will speak to you extensively about your case. They will want to get as much information as possible from you. Your initial meeting will usually be in-person and through an interview process. Your Ontario criminal defense lawyer will ask you questions about your case. They need to know everything that you know so they can prepare a proper defense. During this process, it is important that you are as truthful as possible with your attorney. If your lawyer receives misleading or inaccurate information, they will not be able to form a solid defense strategy. Without all of the information, the prosecution could blindside your attorney.

Investigate the case

Your attorney will conduct their own investigation into your case. They will not simply depend on the investigation and evidence that was done by the police and prosecutors that arrested you. The job of the prosecution is to ensure you are found guilty. The job of your criminal defense attorney is to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed altogether. Your attorney will speak to police officers, witnesses in your case, and experts in the subject at hand. They will often retrace the steps of police and prosecutors. They can also speak to new witnesses and search for new evidence that may be helpful for your case.

On top of this, your Ontario criminal defense attorney will review the case that prosecutors have against you. The other side is legally required to submit their case to the defense before a trial begins, and your attorney will ensure that law enforcement and the prosecutor acted legally.

Examine Evidence

Your attorney will extensively review the evidence involved in your case. Your Ontario criminal defense lawyer will want to figure out how this information will affect the trial and the potential jurors. It may be necessary for your attorney to have some of the evidence in your case reviewed and tested by an independent agency to determine whether or not the conclusions drawn by prosecutors is correct.

Select The Jury

The jury selection is a very important part of your case. Defense attorneys have a significant role in this process. They will interview prospective jurors and work to determine whether they have any biases that could affect your case. The goal is to choose jurors that could give you the best chance for a successful trial outcome.

Negotiate With the Prosecutor

Throughout this process, your attorney will stay in constant contact with the prosecution. In some cases, prosecutors may offer a lenient sentence in exchange for your cooperation in the case or an admission of guilt. This process is called plea bargaining, and it can begin as early as the day after you are arrested. Your attorney will use the evidence from the case, what they think the likely outcome will be in your case, and input from you when determining whether or not to recommend you take a plea. A plea bargain could result in less prison time (or none at all), lower fines, and reduced sentencing. However, this would result in a guilty plea.

Represent you in court

When the trial begins, your Ontario criminal defense attorney will be your representative in court. They will argue on your behalf in front of the jury and judge. In the courtroom, they will hear testimony, call and question witnesses, and work to sway the jury’s opinion.

Handle sentencing

If you receive a guilty verdict, your case will move to the sentencing phase. This is when the judge administers the punishment for the case. Your attorney will do everything they can to limit the severity of the sentence.

Criminal Cases We Handle

It is crucial to find an accomplished criminal defense lawyer in the area of criminal law that pertains to your individual case. The Graham Donath Law Offices, APC have experience with various types of criminal cases in San Bernardino County.

• If you have been arrested for DUI, we can help you determine if alternative or diversionary sentencing is an option.
• Domestic violence: A domestic violence charge can impact your life in several significant ways, and our firm can help you prove your innocence or uncover helpful information to assist in your case. Learn more about your options by contacting our Riverside domestic violence defense attorneys.
• Drug crimes: We understand that many Californians struggle with substance abuse and can help those facing criminal charges for all types of drug offenses.
• Violent crimes: Some people endure arrest and criminal charges for defending themselves from attacks, and we can help prove your innocence or possibly plead down to lower charges if possible.
• Fraud & Embezzlement: Some people find themselves charged with intending to deceive another person or company for personal financial gain.
• Rape: These charges, and other associated sex crime cases, come with harsh penalties that can significantly impact your life.
• Burglary: These charges are the result of a person entering into a building illegally with the intent to commit a crime. Often, a person is charged even if they had no intention of committing a crime.
• Theft: The taking of another person’s property is considered theft. There are various types of theft charges, and they are often applied incorrectly.
• White Collar Crimes: These crimes range widely but generally deal with crimes committed through deceit in an attempt of financial gain. These charges are often handed to those who hold important positions in a company who are accused of stealing.
• Expungement: There may be a chance a person can get their paste charges expunged from their criminal records. This means that the charges are completely destroyed or sealed, and will no longer show on a criminal background check.

Ontario Criminal Court Information

If you are unsure whether you have an outstanding warrant in Ontario, you can go online and look for a record in the Ontario court system or the local Sheriff’s department. Local bail bondsmen and bail agencies may also have access to updated local databases with warrant information.

What Occurs in a Misdemeanor Case?

Misdemeanors are less severe charges than felonies, but they can still lead to heavy fines, jail time, and other penalties. After arrest, a suspect will move to booking and have the opportunity to contact an attorney. The police will often keep a suspect in lockup until his or her arraignment, but it is possible for a suspect to secure release by posting bail or if the judge approves a release on the suspect’s own recognizance. If the suspect posts bail, he or she must return to court at the appointed time and date for arraignment. During arraignment, the suspect will enter a plea and the case will proceed. If the suspect pleads guilty the case proceeds to sentencing, but a not guilty plea will lead to a trial.

Fight your Charges with a Seasoned Ontario Criminal Attorney

If you face criminal charges in Ontario, San Bernardino County or the Inland Empire, contact the Graham Donath Law Offices, APC today to schedule a free case review. Once we have the details of your situation, we can let you know how our firm can help.