Aggressive Advocacy. Personal Attention. Criminal Defense & Personal Injury Firm

Speak out on behalf of the voiceless for the rights of those who are vulnerable.

Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorney

Over a Decade Spent Protecting Client Rights

From the moment you are arrested with a criminal offense, the prosecution team begins building a case against you to ensure you are charged with the full penalty. There is nothing easy about defending yourself from a criminal conviction, and the consequences of one can affect you throughout the rest of your life. You need help from a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer who understands how to build effective cases and keep your record clean. With over a decade of experience, Donato Legal Group is the team you can entrust with your case. We offer free consultations to give you the guidance you need to get started building your defense strategy.

Specializing in civil and domestic restraining orders

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  • Lawyers of Distinction
  • American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  • National Trial Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers
  • Best of the Best Attorneys Top 10
  • Litigator of the Year

Former Client Reviews

Caring Representation That's Focused On Results
    “I cherish their hard work, dedication, and passion.”

    After fighting false allegations for a 3 year ordeal, I still can’t believe that my case is finally over. Alan took my case to trial and the jury agreed that I didn’t do anything. I will never ever be able to thank Alan and Tiffany enough or express how grateful I am for all they have done for me. They were by my side since day one and believed in me. I cherish their hard work, dedication, and passion they put into fighting for my innocence. Alan will forever be family to me.

    Former Client
    “Alan Donato saved my life!”
    My story begins a year ago when my house was raided by the cops. They were looking for someone who had a warrant. When I went to jail my whole life flipped upside down. Fear of losing my job and even worse ruining my record with a felony was overwhelming. My public defender said that I didn't have a case and they weren't likely to give me a deal or a break. Immediately I began searching for a lawyer. Like everyone who searches for a lawyers, my number one concern, after winning the case, would be the amount I paid for the lawyer. Alan Donato's hiring fees were a couple thousand dollars cheaper than other lawyers. After I hired him my worries went away. He walked me through every step of the way. Basically all I needed to do was show up when he needed me to. Most of the language and laws were foreign to me but I wasn't worried. One year later, my case is being dropped after I complete some classes. It went from no case and no chance of winning with the public defender to a total victory in my eyes.. I just wanted to thank Mr. Donato again. You saved my life!
    Daniel
    “Alan is a skilled trial attorney who's work ethic is matched by his integrity.”
    Alan and I have had several cases against each other. Alan is a skilled trial attorney who's work ethic is matched by his integrity. He is a worthy adversary who fights for his client.
    Brett W.
    “I owe a lot to him and would recommend him to anyone looking for a criminal defense lawyer.”
    Alan was amazing and helped me get through a really tough part of life. He fought for me and got me the best deal possible. I owe a lot to him and would recommend him to anyone looking for a criminal defense lawyer.
    Former Client
    “They have helped my son.”
    The nightmare started in South Lake Tahoe, my son was arrested and charged with a serious crime, he was appointed a Public Defender who did everything in her power to hurt my son and work against him, we called Alan and he took the case over, my only regret is that I didn't call him sooner as my son was coerced into a plea deal, Alan has been so kind to my son and to me and his family and treated the situation as if it where his own son and to me that's priceless! We have a big court date ahead and I hope that things will go our way! Thank you for your compassion and your kindness!
    Melissa

Why Hire a Sacramento Attorney?

Hiring a lawyer is an important decision. The right attorney can help protect your rights and get you the best possible outcome for your legal situation.

Here are some of the main reasons to consider hiring an attorney:

  • To ensure that all paperwork is filed correctly, so that you have a stronger case in court or during negotiations.
  • To provide experienced advice about the law and explain how it applies to your situation. An attorney’s expertise can be invaluable when dealing with complex legal matters such as business transactions or real estate deals.
  • To represent you in court if necessary, since having an experienced lawyer on your side increases the chances of success. Additionally, many attorneys offer free consultations to help determine the best course of action for your case.
  • To provide an unbiased third-party opinion, since attorneys are bound by the rules of professional conduct and must remain impartial. This objectivity can be invaluable in helping you make sound decisions that are in your best interests.
  • To negotiate on your behalf and work to get you the most favorable outcome possible. Attorneys understand how to leverage legal processes to benefit their clients, and can use their knowledge of the law to help you reach a successful conclusion to your case.
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We'll Walk With You Every Step of the Way!

Hire a defense team that will passionately fight for you. Call us today at 916-318-5997

Recent Case Results

We Prepare Every Case as if it's Going to Trial

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • Acquittal Attempted Murder

    Client was facing life in prison for attempted murder after a shooting on a bus where the jury found the client acted in self-defense.

  • Full Acquittal DUI

    Mr. Donato won a full acquittal at trial by showing that the DA could not prove Mr. Brown was under the influence of alcohol at the time he was driving.  The jury concluded the case was too speculative, and Mr. Brown walked on all DUI charges against him.

  • Dismissed 1st Degree Murder

    Appointed Indigent Defense Counsel in San Joaquin County; Client was charged with 1st Degree Murder looking at 75 years to Life in prison: upon case discovery review, Mr. Donato was able to present evidence to the DA and get the entire case dismissed in the interest of justice.

  • Not Guilty Attempted Murder

    Client was charged with several felonies including attempted murder and was acquitted of this charge by means of self-defense.

  • Penalty Reduced Felony DUI

    Client had previously been to prison for multiple DUI’s and was arrested again for DUI. We got client into treatment and persuaded the court (over the prosecutor’s objection) to sentence him to rehab instead of prison. Mr. Gerber is now a successful (and sober) project manager in the Bay Area.

  • Case Dismissed Battery Charged

    With a client facing charges for spousal battery, a serious offense that would have cost him his job, Mr. Donato effectively negotiated with the DA, resulting in a full dismissal in return for 12 anger management classes.

  • Not Guilty Sexual Assault

    With a client facing life in prison on sexual assault charges, our office decided to take this case to trial. After fighting to expose the holes in the Prosecution's case, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts.  Our client was released from custody the same day.

  • Not Guilty Felony Domestic Violence

    Our client faced charges for felony domestic violence and misdemeanor child abuse.  Mr. Donato showed the jury at trial that Mr. Hillman's spiteful ex-girlfriend had lied about the facts.  Mr. Hillman walked into trial facing 10 years in prison, but he walked out a free man.

  • Case Dismissed Assault with a Deadly Weapon

    After an intense road rage incident, our client was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly ramming another car with her own. After diligent investigation and negotiations with the Prosecutors in this case, Mr. Donato persuaded the government to dismiss the case in its entirety.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Marijuana for Sale

    Our client was facing felony charges of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.  After successfully having the case dismissed, Mr. Donato also negotiated with the District Attorney to return the $20,000 in cash that was seized from our client.

  • Not Guilty Robbery & Felony Assault

    Charged with robbery and felony assault resulting in great bodily injury, our client was facing multiple strikes and significant time in prison. Mr. Donato took this case to trial, earning not guilty jury verdicts on both charges. Mr. Escobar walked out of court a free man, holding his young daughter in his arms.

  • Not Guilty Gang Enhancement

    Our office was proud to defeat the gang enhancement charge at trial for our client, who was charged with possessing a firearm for the benefit of a gang.  Defeating the gang enhancement was the sole reason for going to trial, and it saved our client from gaining a second strike conviction, not to mention significant prison time.

  • Case Dismissed Drug Charge

    Our client's drug case was dismissed after Mr. Donato proved to a judge that the officer's only basis for conducting a probation search in this case was for harassment purposes in violation of his client's 4th Amendment Rights.

  • Not Guilty Illegal Discharge of a Firearm

    Client was charged with multiple felony assaults and unlawful discharge of a firearm with gang enhancements and looking at life in prison. Mr. Donato was able to get a full acquittal.

  • Not Guilty Possession of a Concealed Firearm

    Charged with possession of a concealed firearm inside of a car, our client was facing special criminal enhancements. Not only did the gun have an illegal high-capacity magazine, our client allegedly possessed the gun in association with a gang.  Mr. Donato fought this case at trial and hung the jury 9-3 for not guilty. But the District Attorney elected to re-try the case. Mr. Donato responded by taking the case to trial again, this time returning with a full not guilty verdict.

  • Case Dismissed Possessing Marijuana for Sale

    Mr. Donato covinced the District Attorney that his client was protected under the Medical Marijuana Laws as a legal caregiver, and all felony charges regarding possessing marijuana for sale were dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Felony Marijuana Charges

    Dismissed Client was charged with multiple felony marijuana related charges. Our investigation showed that client was not involved in the operation although she was present during execution of the search warrant. The case was dismissed as to our client, whereas the co-defendants were convicted.

  • Case Dismissed Domestic Violence

    Client was arrested for domestic violence after boyfriend called the police and lied about a fight he in fact started. We showed the prosecution our client’s medical records documenting her significant injuries in contrast to her boyfriend’s minor injuries and the prosecution dismissed against our client to pursue charges against her boyfriend.

  • Case Dismissed Vehicle Theft and Evading Law Enforcement

    With our client charged with felony vehicle theft and evading law enforcement, Mr. Donato sought out the necessary investigation to show that his client was actually not the driver of the vehicle. The DA dismissed all charges.

  • Dismissed Felony child abuse

    Private Retained Counsel in Sacramento County; client was charged with felony child abuse and the DA offered prison time for plea bargan, Mr. Donato obtained the opinion of a child abuse expert and was able to get the DA to dismiss the case in the interest of justice.

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