Criminal Defense Attorney in Sacramento County
Your Sacramento County Legal Team: Protecting Your Rights Every Step of the Way
When you need a criminal defense lawyer in Sacramento County, you deserve a team that combines experience, strategic advocacy, and a personal approach. At Donato Legal Group, we stand by clients through stressful legal challenges. Our attorneys, Alan Donato and Tiffany Wynn, bring over a decade of focused practice and have helped guide individuals through California’s complex legal landscape. We defend your rights with careful preparation, clear communication, and an approach built on understanding during difficult moments.
Our approach goes beyond simply managing court dates or legal requirements. We understand local law enforcement procedures, how area prosecutors handle different criminal charges, and what to expect in Sacramento County courtrooms. This practical insight means our team provides grounded guidance and realistic expectations for every phase of your case. When you work with us, you gain advocates who stand with you from the first consultation until your matter resolves.
Contact our trusted criminal defense lawyer in Sacramento County at (916) 318-5997 to schedule a free consultation.
Criminal Cases That We Handle
Each case type has a set of unique challenges and potential consequences. Our defense strategy is personalized to consider these complexities, with a focus on minimizing impact.
What Sets Our Criminal Defense Services Apart in Sacramento County
At Donato Legal Group, you receive more than legal advice. We treat every client’s case with detailed attention and build proactive defense strategies designed to reduce or resolve your criminal charges. As a trusted criminal defense attorney in Sacramento County, our team offers a free consultation so you can discuss your concerns without obligation. Our firm values transparency, practical advice, and a defense strategy tailored to your situation. We keep current with Sacramento’s evolving local laws, especially regarding cannabis-related offenses, to ensure your representation fits the realities of area courts and law enforcement priorities.
Many people who contact us feel overwhelmed by uncertainty and worry about what comes next. We invest the time to explain not just potential outcomes, but how and why a defense strategy matters specifically to your circumstances. With experience in criminal defense and personal injury, we recognize how these cases affect your life, your work, and your family’s future. Our consistent focus on Sacramento County procedures, our commitment to your well-being, and our selective caseload set us apart from larger, more generalized practices. By keeping the number of clients manageable, our criminal defense lawyers can focus on strong communication and provide the attentive support you need throughout your legal journey.
Our Approach: Guiding You Through the Sacramento Legal Process
Navigating the criminal justice system in Sacramento County can feel overwhelming. Our process helps you regain control and stay informed at every stage. Here’s what you can expect when you hire a criminal defense lawyer in Sacramento County:
- Personalized consultation: We listen to your concerns and ask the right questions to fully understand your goals.
- Comprehensive legal review: Our team examines all the facts, evaluates your criminal charges, and explains possible outcomes based on California law and Sacramento County procedures.
- Strategic planning: We draw on our knowledge of local courts, court staff, and law enforcement practices to build a strong defense and anticipate legal challenges.
- Consistent communication: We keep you informed about your case’s progress, answer your questions, and lay out next steps so you know what to expect.
- Dedicated advocacy: Our focus remains on protecting your rights, your reputation, and your best interests at every phase.
The defense process in Sacramento County often involves several hearings, negotiations with prosecutors, and communications with court staff. Our familiarity with each local courthouse helps us respond promptly to developments and manage your case efficiently. We regularly inform you about deadlines and changes in your situation, giving honest feedback about risks and available options. By providing clarity and ongoing preparation, we help reduce stress and give you confidence as your case moves forward.
Serving Sacramento County: Local Knowledge Makes a Difference in Criminal Cases
The outcome of a criminal case often depends on local laws and the unique procedures used by Sacramento County courts. Our attorneys understand the specific penal codes, timelines, and relationships between law enforcement and prosecutors in this community. We stay informed on changes to Sacramento’s approach involving charges like DUI, cannabis, theft, and violent offenses. This local experience means we can design defense strategies that account for how area prosecutors operate, how local courtrooms review evidence, and what judges expect, all factors that strongly influence your result.
Certain cases, such as drug possession or driving under the influence, may offer different outcomes depending on local programs or diversion options. In Sacramento County, some courts provide alternatives focused on rehabilitation or community service instead of jail time. Knowing what options exist and how to pursue them can help you get an outcome that aligns with your needs. Because our attorneys have deep roots in the community, we know how to navigate these programs, giving you access to solutions you might not find elsewhere. We use this knowledge every day as we help our clients achieve the most favorable results possible in their criminal cases.
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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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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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 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.
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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.
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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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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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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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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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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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 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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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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Full Acquittal DUI
Our office took this case to jury trial and received a full acquittal on all charges including DUI and refusing to take a chemical test. This would have been Mr. Sanchez's second DUI and would have resulted in a year long license revocation.
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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.
