Violent Crimes

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Attempted Murder

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Acquitted of ALL charges (Trial) Felony Sexual Assault of a Minor

    Client was a group home employee and was accused by one of the (minor) group home residents of sexual misconduct. Our office successfully showed the complaining witness was lying about the allegations, and the jury unanimously acquitted Ms. Roberts of all charges after deliberating for only a few hours.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale

    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.

  • Case Dismissed DUI

    Our cient's DUI was dismissed after we obtained the officer's in car camera video which revealed the officer had fabricated major portions of the report.  Thanks in part to Mr. Donato's discoveries, the officer in this case was arrested and eventually plead guilty to numerous counts of perjury and obstruction of justice.  The officer was ultimately sentenced to prison.