West Sacramento Criminal Defense

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.