Sacramento criminal defense, more like an art than a science

Someone made the comment to me at dinner the other night, that for as long as I have been handling criminal defense cases in Sacramento, I ought to have it down to a science. I politely laughed when they said that. I think they meant it as a compliment, but I was not totally comfortable with the comment, as it seemed to suggest that at this point my job should be easy due to my experience and the repetition. However, I know that my job is very difficult. It never gets easy. I feel like I am constantly in a battle for the lives of my clients.

Since that evening, I have thought about that statement and I have come to the realization that criminal defense is much more like an art than a science. Good criminal defense requires me to be creative, to think outside the box, and to be passionate–Much like an artist and nothing like a scientist. Likewise, there is very little certainty in criminal defense as even laws that are well established are subject to interpretation and modification.

For example, when I am in trial, trying to describe the concept of reasonable doubt to a jury, there is no exact science to it. I am trying to read the faces and body language of the jury, and then respond to that to know when I have said enough, or to know when I need to keep painting the picture. Likewise, as I create a picture of my client, which I believe is most accurate, I am literally creating a picture for the jury like an artist creates a movie or a painting.
Earlier this week I enjoyed a tremendous victory in which I secured a misdemeanor plea bargain for a client who was facing serious felony charges. This client is a hunter and if he was convicted of a felony he would have lost his right to possess guns. This was an extremely challenging case which required some serious creativity on my part including seeking out knowledgeable professionals and experts on the topic to weigh in, which caught the District Attorney off guard. While me approach was not scientific and not orthodox, it worked.

The more I think about it, the more I suppose that it is a good thing that criminal defense is more like an art than a science. While science seems cold and passionless, my approach to my profession is one of caring, creativity, and passion. That is what makes me effective.

Board of Nursing License Defense

Board of Nursing License Defense Attorney

Nursing is an intense and a stressful career, similar to to the stress experienced by many attorneys. Unfortunately, one of the byproducts of stressful career choices can be the use of alcohol and other chemical substances and the consequential DUI or related criminal charges. When someone who has a nursing license is charges with a crime, including something as minor as a DUI, the State Board of Nursing will take action against them to suspend their license.

I defend Nurses who are facing actions taken by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) against their license as a result of criminal allegations or convictions including DUI, Domestic Violence, Drug Charges, and other crimes. If you receive a letter from the BRN informing you that they intend to take administrative action against your license or that you are being investigated you should call me immediately. Quick action by an experienced Nursing License Defense Attorney can mean the difference between being able to continue working and losing your license. Losing your license even for a few months can cost you your job and thousands of dollars in lost wages.

License Suspension as a Condition of Bail

When a nurse is charged with a crime, if they are released on bail, in many instances the State Attorney General who prosecuted nursing license cases on behalf of the California Board of Registered Nurses, will come to the bail hearing and request that the individual have their license suspended immediately, as a condition of bail, even before the individual is found guilty. This is a terrible over-reach by the attorney general which can be stopped in many instances by an experienced license defense attorney who has dealt with this situation before. If you are being charged with a crime, and you are a licensed nurse, time is of the essence. Please call me immediately so we can take steps to avoid the suspension of your license.

If Convicted of a Crime, The California Board of Registered Nursing Will Take Action on Your License

Once an initial suspension of your nursing license is avoided at the bail hearing, you are not out of the woods yet. Upon a conviction in criminal court, the Attorney General will summon you to a hearing at which they will seek to suspense your license. I have successfully defended many clients against such attempted suspensions and I have saved the licenses of almost all of my clients. I can effectively represent you, if you call me.

(916) 277-8299

10 Year Driver’s License Revocation For 3 or More DUI’s Within 10 Years

On January 1, 2012 California Vehicle Code Section 3597 became law. This Vehicle Code Section reads as follows:

“3597. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 13202.5, 13203, and 13352, a court may order a 10-year revocation of the driver’s license of a person who has been convicted of three or more separate violations of Section 23152 or 23153, the last of which is punishable under Section 23546, 23550, 23550.5, or 23566. When making this order, the court shall consider all of the following:

(1) The person’s level of remorse for the acts.
(2) The period of time that has elapsed since the person’s previous convictions.
(3) The person’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the violation.
(4) The person’s participation in an alcohol treatment program.
(5) The person’s risk to traffic or public safety.
(6) The person’s ability to install a certified ignition interlock device in each motor vehicle that he or she owns or operates.
(b) Upon receipt of a duly certified abstract of the record of the court showing the court has ordered a 10-year revocation of a driver’s license pursuant to this section, the department shall revoke the person’s driver’s license for 10 years, except as provided in
subdivision (c).”

10 Year Driver’s License Revocation Defense

As described above, this relatively new law gives judges the power to use their discretion to suspend the driving privilege of third-time DUI offenders for up to 10 years. This is an enormous suspension and as many people have learned the hard way, such a suspension can have disastrous personal consequences especially in a state like California where we all drive to get around and where public transportation is limited to a few metropolitan areas.

Six Factors To Be Considered by The Judge in Deciding on a Possible 10 Year Suspension

Vehicle code section 3597 (a) lays out six explicit factors that may be considered by a judge in order to determine if a license suspension of up to 10 years is appropriate.

Factor #1: The defendant’s level of remorse for the acts. This is an interesting factor as it calls for judges to make a subjective determination of the level of remorse a defendant has. This factor puts the burden on defense attorneys defending individuals charged with Three or more DUI’s to effectively convey to the court that their client is, in fact, contrite.

Factor #2: The period of time that has elapsed since the individual’s last conviction. This factor is relatively straight forward, and gets at the likelihood that someone being charged with a DUI has a serious drinking problem. If someone is on their third DUI prosecution within 10 years and the last DUI was only a year or two ago, this suggests to a judge that the defendant is either not learning or that their drinking problem is beyond their control. On the other hand, if you have made it 8 or 9 years since your past DUI, it is more possible that you are just unlucky, and consequently you are less likely to be given a 10 year license suspension.

Factor #3: The BAC at the time of the violation. This is yet another factor that directs judges to inquire as to the seriousness of the alcohol problem, and thus the likelihood of driving while intoxicated in the future if this individual is allowed to keep driving. The lower your blood alcohol level at the time of your violation, the less likely the judge will rip away your license for a decade. On the other hand, if your BAC is 0.20 or higher, you run a greater risk of long-term license suspension.

Factor #4: The person’s participation in an alcohol treatment program If you are facing a third DUI you will want to begin attending AA meetings immediately at a rate or at least one per week and maybe more. In addition, get signed up for a repeat offender alcohol class. Doing these things will indicate to the judge that your are taking steps to remedy your problem and hopefully lead the judge to be more merciful when determining the fate of your driver’s license.

Factor #5: The Person’s risk to traffic or public safety. Let’s face it, not all DUI’s are the same. If your DUI comes about by an officer catching you moving your car 2 feet while intoxicated (a technical DUI) or you are pulled over on the 5 freeway going 85 MPH while intoxicated the judge is going to view things very differently. If you were stopped while speeding or driving near pedestrians, you are more likely to get the massive 10 year suspension, than if you were on an old farm road, or simply moving your car a few feet.

Factor #6: The Person’s ability to get an ignition interlock device installed The state’s primary concern with repeat DUI offenders is that the pattern suggests they will continue to drive while intoxicated, even after being punished, and that this is likely to lead to an injury or death at some point. The courts have come to place a great deal of value on ignition interlock devices as a way to keep people from driving while intoxicated. Consequently, getting an ignition interlock device installed on your car is one of the very best ways to be able to keep your license after a third DUI within 10 years.

The Way Out!

Here is the good news. Vehicle Code Section 3597S(c) says:

(c) (1) Five years from the date of the last conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153, a person whose license was revoked pursuant to subdivision (a) may apply to the department to have his or her privilege to operate a motor vehicle reinstated, subject to the condition that the person submits the “Verification of Installation” form described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 13386 and agrees to maintain the ignition interlock device as required under subdivision (g) of Section 23575. Notwithstanding Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 23700) or subdivision (f) of Section 23575, the ignition interlock device shall remain on the person’s motor vehicle for two years following the reinstatement of the person’s driving privilege pursuant to this section.

Sacramento is buzzing over prop 47

It seems like I cannot go anywhere around town lately without hearing about Prop 47. (for those who do not know, proposition 47 was a law passed in November 2014, in which California Voters voted to have several formerly felony charges be reduced to misdemeanors, and to allow people who had previously been sentenced to these felonies, be re-sentened. The result has been, and will be, thousands of people state wide being released early from jail and prison.) Depending on who you talk to you get different responses to proposition 47. Of course, if you talk to a district attorney or law enforcement officer, many of them feel that proposition 47 is just horrible. On the other hand, people who have been convicted of the crimes listed in proposition 47 (Possession of a controlled substance, burglary, petty theft with a prior, receiving stollen property, grand theft, just to name a few) and their loved ones, are thrilled at the prospect of having the charges reduced to misdemeanors and in many instances be re-sentenced to a misdemeanor appropriate sentence.
Prop 47 = Less Crowded Jails (at least temporarily)

Our law office has already had clients who were in jail released much earlier than we had expected, as a result of prop 47. There is no doubt in my mind that prop 47 will serve to reduce the crowding in the Sacramento County jails, as well as prisons around the state. Despite the horror stories you may hear, most of the people who are benefiting from proposition 47 are no danger to anyone, and thus there is little risk and much tax payer revenue to be saved. On the other hand, if you are worried about “dangerous” people being out on the streets, consider this, if more jail beds are opened up, this makes room for people who might be truly dangerous.

• Proposition 47 Results in Sacramento Inmates Being Released from Jail
• How to Utilize Prop 47 in Sacramento

If you believe prop 47 may apply to you should first do some research to make sure you know exactly what charges you (or your loved one) were convicted of, as Prop 47 is very specific as to what charges are covered. Once you have this information, contact an attorney who is knowledgable about proposition 47. With that information a knowledgeable attorney will be able to guide you as to the nest move. If the sentence is completed, then a reduction to a misdemeanor will be appropriate. If the sentence is still being served, then a motion to re-sentence will be required.