West Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorney
Arrested in West Sacramento? Call (916) 318-5997 for a Free Consultation!
If you have been arrested for a crime, you must act immediately. At Donato Legal Group, we understand this is a very stressful and confusing time for you. You may wonder what your next steps should be and what will happen to you if you don't act. We can help you sort out your situation's details and answer all your questions. We have handled cases like yours for more than a decade and have a great deal of experience in the criminal justice system. We can work to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case!
Don't wait to take action. Call (916) 318-5997 today and get started on your case!
Understanding the Process After an Arrest in West Sacramento
After you have been arrested for a crime, several things will take place. Depending on the severity of the crime, you may be held in police custody until you either post bail or are released from custody. If released from custody, you may be placed under certain restrictions, such as a no-contact order with the alleged victim.
If you are arrested for a felony, you may be held without bail. You may be eligible for bail if you are arrested for a misdemeanor. If eligible, you can post bail and be released from custody until your trial. You may have to pay a certain amount of money to be released, depending on the severity of the crime. If you do not have the money to pay for bail, you may be eligible for a bail reduction program.
If you are not eligible for bail and are being held in custody, you will have to wait for your trial. You may be eligible for a pre-trial diversion program if you are accused of a minor crime. You may also have to wait for the prosecution to gather evidence against you and prepare their case. Depending on the case, this can take a few months or even a few years.
Penalties You May Face for a Criminal Conviction
The crime's penalties depend on the crime itself and the circumstances surrounding it. For instance, if you are convicted of a DUI, the penalties will be different for a first offense than a second offense. The penalties for a crime also depend on whether you have a prior conviction. If you have a prior conviction, you may be sentenced to a harsher penalty.
The penalties for a crime can range from a small fine to a lengthy prison sentence and thousands of dollars in restitution. In addition to a crime's penalties, there are collateral consequences of a conviction. For instance, if you are convicted of a DUI, you may have to pay thousands of dollars in fines and fees. You may also have to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, making it difficult to get to work and other activities.
Possible Defense Options in West Sacramento
After you have been arrested for a crime, you will want to take action to protect your rights and fight the charges against you. The first thing you should do is contact an experienced West Sacramento criminal defense attorney. We can help you determine the best defense strategy for your case.
Some of the defenses we may be able to use in your case include the following:
- You were falsely accused.
- The police violated your rights.
- The police did not follow proper procedures.
- The prosecution does not have enough evidence.
- You were acting in self-defense or were under duress.
In some cases, you may be able to get your case dismissed without ever having to go to court. If this is possible, we will work to get your case dismissed!
Contact Donato Legal Group for Sacramento Criminal Defense Assistance
We strongly encourage you to contact an experienced West Sacramento criminal defense attorney if you have been arrested. You may be facing a number of years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines and restitution. Our firm can help you determine the best defense strategy for your case. We can fight for the best possible outcome in your case and help you move forward with your life.
Do not go to court without an attorney. Contact 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.
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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.
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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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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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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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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 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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Reduced to a misdemeanor Charged with felony sexual battery
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 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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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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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 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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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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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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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 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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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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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.
