Oxnard, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer

A criminal charge can change the course of the rest of your life.  Depending on factors like your criminal history and the offense you have been charged with, you risk facing years or decades of incarceration, thousands of dollars in criminal fines and restitution, suspension of your driver’s license, and other penalties.  You will also receive a criminal record, which can make it substantially more difficult to get hired for jobs and seize other opportunities.

If you have been charged with a crime in Oxnard, California, or if one of your family members has been arrested in Oxnard, it is absolutely critical that you have the benefit of aggressive legal representation.  With over 20 years of experience handling wobblers, misdemeanors, and felonies, the California defense lawyers at The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC are eminently qualified to handle a range of serious criminal charges.

To set up a confidential, free legal consultation, call our law offices right away at (805) 643-5555.

What to Do if You Were Charged with a Crime in Oxnard, California

It is imperative that you contact a criminal attorney immediately if you or a loved one has been arrested in Oxnard.  This cannot be emphasized strongly enough.
It is virtually impossible for a defendant to successfully represent himself or herself against a trained, experienced prosecutor.  Legal representation gives you the best chance of being acquitted, obtaining a sentence reduction, or being charged with a lesser offense that carries lighter penalties than the original charge.  Depending on the situation, having the charges dropped altogether may even be a possibility.

The criminal lawyers of Bamieh & De Smeth handle a broad array of violent and non-violent offenses, ranging from misdemeanors to capital crimes, the most serious types of felonies.  Oxnard criminal charges we handle include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Drug Offenses
  • Acid/LSD Charges
  • Cocaine Charges
  • Cultivation
  • Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute
  • Heroin Charges
  • Marijuana Charges
  • MDMA/Ecstasy Charges
  • Methamphetamine Charges
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Prescription Drug Charges
  • Simple Possession
  • Trafficking and Smuggling
• Homicide Crimes
  • Involuntary Manslaughter
  • Murder
  • Vehicular Manslaughter
  • Voluntary Manslaughter
• Juvenile Crimes
  • Graffiti
  • Shoplifting
  • Underage Drinking
  • Vandalism
• Sex Crimes
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
  • Child Molestation
  • Lewdness
  • Possession of Child Pornography
  • Rape
  • Sexual Battery
• Theft Offenses
  • Burglary
  • Carjacking
  • Grand Theft
  • Identity Theft
  • Robbery
• Violent Crimes
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Aggravated Mayhem
  • Assault and Battery
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence Charges
  • Mayhem
• White Collar Crimes (Financial Crimes)
  • Debit/Credit Card Fraud
  • Embezzlement
  • Tax Evasion

Other offenses we handle include:

• Disorderly Conduct
• DUI/DWI (Driving Under the Influence/Driving While Intoxicated)
• Gang Activity
• Probation Violation
• Resisting Arrest

California Jail and Prison Sentencing for Felonies and Misdemeanors

Like most states, California classifies minor criminal offenses as misdemeanors, while very serious charges are called felonies.  California also has a third type of crime known as a “wobbler,” which is simply an offense that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the details of the situation.
While misdemeanors are of lesser severity than felonies, defendants must take all charges seriously.  Even a misdemeanor can result in jail time, expensive fines, and a criminal record, as well as miscellaneous penalties such as mandatory community service, probation, or driver’s license suspension.

Under California’s sentencing laws, misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail.  Sentences for felonies vary by crime, but may last anywhere from several years to life in prison.  For example, robbery is punishable by a sentence of two, three, five, six, or nine years, depending on the circumstances under which the robbery took place.  To provide another example, murder is punishable by a prison term of 15 years to life, 25 years to life, or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole (release).

The most serious crimes, such as capital murder, are currently subject to capital punishment, or the death penalty.  On November 8, 2016, Californians will have an opportunity to vote on Prop 62, which would repeal the death penalty in California.

Defendants who are convicted sometimes receive “suspended” sentences, which means the defendant will be placed on probation instead of incarcerated.  Skillful representation can help increase your likelihood of receiving a suspended sentence rather than being sent to prison.

Contact an Experienced Oxnard Defense Lawyer

For more than two decades, the attorneys at The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC have dedicated themselves to providing aggressive, strategic legal representation to the residents of Oxnard and its surrounding communities.  No matter how challenging or serious the allegations against you, we will analyze every detail of your case to develop a comprehensive strategy designed to protect your liberties.

We know it isn’t easy to face criminal allegations against yourself or a loved one, but the longer you delay seeking legal help, the more difficulty you will have overcoming the charges.  Don’t wait until it is already too late to start preparing your defense strategy.  Call the Oxnard criminal lawyers of Bamieh & De Smeth right away at (805) 643-5555 for a free and confidential legal consultation.