Sacramento Felony Defense Attorney

Getting this felony case dismissed at preliminary hearing was a fight. But by effectively cross examining the arresting officer and showing that our client was not an accomplice to the alleged crime, Mr. Donato succeeded in getting this dismissal.  Our client came into the preliminary hearing facing felony charges of conspiracy and battery with great bodily injury, and he walked out a free man with an untarnished record.

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.

Dismissed Client was charged with brandishing a firearm when he had a confrontation with his daughter’s boyfriend in his own home. We effectively fought to get this case dismissed on the eve of trial.

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.

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.

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.

People v. Carter Reduced (Probation) Client was a professional athlete and broke his girlfriend’s elbow during a domestic incident. Original offer was five years in prison. Our investigation showed the conflicts and changes in the victim’s story, and we effectively negotiated the case down to house arrest and probation.

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.

Our client was one of several defendants charged with possession of methamphetamine for sale. The defendants were found at an alleged "crack-house" surrounded by various illegal narcotics, and even firearms. After threatening to go to trial, Mr. Donato had the entire case against our client dismissed by day two in court.

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.

Appointed Indigent Defense Counsel in San Joaquin County; the client was charged with felony sexual battery and looking at his third strike and 25 years to Life in prison; upon body worn camera review, Mr. Donato was able to present evidence to the DA and had the case reduced to a misdemeanor and the client was released from jail custody that day.

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.

This battery case was ultimately dismissed after our office conducted investigation and found independent witnesses who stated that the victim lied to police and actually started the fight.  The DA agreed to dismiss the case and Ms. August was able to maintain her clean record.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Client was a military veteran that was accused of embezzlement from his employer. Mr. Donato was able to get the employer and DA to drop all charges and dismissed the case.

With a client facing charges for possession of methamphetamine for sale in addition to firearm enhancements, even the judge questioned Mr. Donato as to why he was taking the case to trial. In the end, however, the jury had very few questions to ask, as it took them less than an hour to return their not guilty verdicts for Mr. Donato's client.

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.