
Sacramento Violent Crimes Attorney
Experienced Defense Against Violent Crime Charges in California
Violent crimes are prosecuted heavily in California. While there may be an explanation for why these crimes occur, prosecutors will fight to ensure you face the full penalty of the law if you are found to be guilty. At Donato Legal Group, our Sacramento violent crimes lawyer understands the difficulty of your situation and can help you build a strong case to attempt to avoid the devastating consequences of a conviction.
You don’t have to fight for your future alone. Give us a call and get started on building your case. We have helped many people in your situation, and we know there are two sides to every story. We are committed to hearing yours to help you build a strong defense and protect your future.
Dial (916) 318-5997 now to schedule your free consultation with Donato Legal Group. You can also contact our Sacramento violent crimes lawyer online.
Types of Violent Crime Cases We Defend Against
No matter the reason for the violent crime, prosecutors will do everything they can to paint you as a villain who must be kept away from society. Not only does that hurt your ability to build a prosperous future for yourself now, but having a criminal record containing a violent crime often bars people from being able to find employment, rent apartments, or obtain loans. You need help from a reliable attorney.
Violent crimes we defend include:
- Battery
- Willful and unlawful use of force against another person
- Robbery
- Felonious taking of another person's personal property that they are in possession of
- Rape
- non-consensual sexual intercourse accomplished by: Violence, fraud, threats, or duress.
- Manslaughter
- non-intentionally killing someone
- Murder
- intentionally killing someone
No case is the same. It is important that you are able to tell your side of the story, even if the prosecution tries to label you as a dangerous criminal. Thanks to careful planning and preparation, we have helped many of our clients to have their charges reduced or even dropped.
Murder vs. Manslaughter
Murder refers to when a person knowingly and intentionally kills another person, whereas manslaughter refers to when a person's reckless or negligent actions result in the death of another person. While manslaughter is generally considered a lesser crime, both murder and manslaughter charges can result in harsh penalties that include prison time.
Contact Our Violent Crimes Lawyer in Sacramento Today
We understand the challenges you face right now. Your situation can be frightening, and you may feel hopeless and alone. Oftentimes, a mere accusation of a violent crime can be enough to harm a person’s reputation. At Donato Legal Group, we want you to feel confident about your case so you can tell your side of the story in a compelling way.
We may be able to help you show that:
- The violent act was consensual: If the other party was completely aware and accepting of what happened, you may be able to show that they were no less guilty than you.
- You were defending yourself: Being a victim of assault can scramble a person’s thinking. If you were in danger, fighting may have been the only recourse you had. We may be able to help you show that.
- You were defending someone else or someone’s property: If you see someone being robbed and you jump in to help them, it is not the same as an unprovoked attack on an unsuspecting person.
During your free consultation, we can go over the details of what happened in your case to review the evidence and allegations against you. We are often able to find mistakes made by arresting police officers and prosecuting attorneys that have been helpful in improving the outcome for our clients. You have nothing to lose by calling us and learning more about how to face your charges. Get started today and see how Attorney Alan Donato at Donato Legal Group can help you protect your future.
Facing violent crimes charges in Sacramento? Dial (916) 318-5997 now and schedule your free consultation.

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.
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Not Guilty Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale
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.
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Not Guilty Attempted Murder
Client was charged with several felonies including attempted murder and was acquitted of this charge by means of self-defense.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Case Dismissed Felony Charge
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.
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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.
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Case Dismissed Assault with a Deadly Weapon
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.
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Case Dismissed Possessing Marijuana for Sale
Even before trial, our office had this case dismissed by presenting evidence that our client, who faced felony charges of possessing marijuana for sale, qualified as a legal caregiver and was protected from prosecution under the California medical marijuana laws.
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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.
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Suspension Waived DMV Administrative Per Se Hearing
At this DMV Administrative Per Se hearing, Mr. Donato argued that the Campus Police Officers did not have lawful authority to conduct a traffic stop away from campus. The Hearing Officer agreed and set aside our client's Campus license suspension.
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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.
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Penalty Reduced Domestic Violence with Great Bodily Injury
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.
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Case Dismissed Robbery
Client was facing robbery charges and our investigation showed the witness was not likely to show up for trial. We pushed to get this case before a jury, and when the prosecution was unable to produce evidence against our client the case was dismissed.
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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.
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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.
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Case Dismissed Battery Charge
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.
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Dismissed Embezzlement
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.
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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.
