Practice Areas

Unless a crime is witnessed first hand by the police, law enforcement must conduct an investigation into whether a crime was actually committed. The results of this investigation will determine whether you will be formally charged with a crime.

You do not need to wait until charges are filed in order to get help from an attorney. If you have been accused of a crime or are under investigation, engaging a criminal defense lawyer before criminal charges are filed can pay tremendous dividends.  It can sometimes be much harder for an attorney to get a case dismissed after filing than it is to prevent charges from being filed in the first place.

Your lawyer can make sure that the investigation is transparent and fair, and make sure that your constitutional rights are protected. Ultimately, they may be able to avoid more serious charges or avoid having you charged at all.

A restraining order can place severe restrictions on your freedoms – they can limit where you can go, who you can see, and what you can do. Unfortunately, if someone is attempting to obtain a restraining order against you, it can feel like you are fighting an uphill battle. In many cases, the judge will issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) for 21 days on what may be minimal evidence. The next step is to schedule an evidentiary hearing as to whether the restraining order should be made permanent.

If you are already subject to a restraining order, you should be aware that alleged violations can carry very serious consequences, including incarceration. You should seek immediate legal counsel if you have been accused of violating your restraining order.

The restraining order process is complex and a single misstep can jeopardize your rights. The best way to protect yourself is to seek immediate guidance from an experienced criminal defense attorney. They can help you gather the evidence and witnesses you need to put on the strongest case possible.

White-collar crimes such as embezzlement and fraud are extraordinarily complex charges.

As such, these charges often rely upon lengthy investigations and mountains of evidence that may have been gathered by law enforcement over several months, or even years. When the charges are finally filed, it can feel like you are facing overwhelming force and that the best course of action may be to resolve the issues as quickly as possible.

A criminal defense lawyer can help level the playing field. We can thoroughly investigate the charges against you, evaluate the prosecution’s evidence, and identify the weaknesses in your case. From there, we work with you to develop an aggressive defense strategy.

Just like every other state, California has very strict laws when it comes to driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even a first-time DUI can result in thousands of dollars in fines and other penalties and the loss of your driving privileges. All DUI charges carry the potential for jail time and can result in a criminal conviction on your record.

Many people do not realize that they can fight their DUI charges. The breathalyzer device may not have been properly calibrated or the officer may not have been properly trained in its use. The officer may not have properly administered the field sobriety test. The police may have violated your constitutional rights at some point in the process. All of these potential issues can work in your favor if you know what evidence you need and how to use this evidence in your defense. We can review your case, identify the potential weaknesses, and then help you find a way forward.

A violent crime is any offense that causes harm or was intended to cause harm to another person. If you have been charged with a violent crime, many of which are felonies, you could be facing years in prison and heavy fines. You need someone on your side who can help you face your charges and obtain a fair outcome. As a former prosecutor with 15 years of experience, Mr. Dreiling has extensive experience with all types of violent crimes, including the following:

• Assault and battery
• Murder and attempted murder
• Voluntary manslaughter
• Arson
• Kidnapping
• Carjacking
• Extortion
• Burglary and armed robbery

Whether a felony or a misdemeanor, a conviction for a violent crime can carry life-long repercussions. Get in touch and get the help you need today.

The laws against drug sales and possession can carry heavy penalties that can include years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. A conviction could change your life forever. You need a criminal defense lawyer who knows what evidence they need to convict you of the crime you have been charged with, and what defenses may be available to you.

If you have been charged with a drug crime, you should seek legal representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer. We have experience in handling charges for drug sale and possession and can help provide you with an aggressive defense.

California has some of the most serious weapons crimes in the country, and these charges can range far beyond what many people might expect. Defendants can be charged with a variety of crimes, including the following:

• Offenses involving the use of a weapon such as brandishing a weapon, assault with a firearm, drive-by shooting, and gross negligent discharge of a firearm.
• Offenses involving the possession of a weapon such as possession of a firearm by a felon, illegal concealed carry, or carrying a loaded firearm in public. You can also be charged with a crime for possession of items such as a laser scope, a gun silencer, armor-piercing ammunition, and a stun gun.

In addition, the possession or use of a weapon during the commission of another crime can result in more serious penalties. For example, you may face an additional 1 to 10 years in prison if you were armed with a firearm while committing the underlying offense. Do not hesitate to contact a criminal defense lawyer if you are facing a weapons offense or an enhanced sentence due to the use or possession of a weapon.

When facing a domestic violence charge, many people feel like the situation is impossible – it is their word against yours, and you are at a disadvantage since you have been accused of crime. No matter how thin the evidence may seem or how certain you are that you will prevail, do not put your future at risk. A conviction could do irreparable damage to your reputation and result in a permanent criminal record. You need to aggressively defend yourself in order to ensure the right outcome. The best way to do this is by working with a criminal defense lawyer who knows how to build a successful defense.

Sexual assault includes some of the most serious charges you can face. Not only do these crimes carry very serious consequences, but a conviction can cause tremendous embarrassment and require you to register as a public sex offender. In short, being convicted of a sexual assault will affect your life for long after you have served your sentence, paid your fines, or satisfied whatever penalties were imposed against you.

Sexual offenses can be either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. Even a misdemeanor charge can carry serious consequences, such as up to a year in jail and thousands of dollars in fines. Those convicted of felonies could face years in state prison. To protect yourself and your freedom, you need to take immediate action and talk to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

In some cases, criminal defendants can file a motion with the court to have their sentences modified after they have been convicted. This can include the following:

• A reduction in prison or jail time
• A release from custody
• A reduction in the conditions of probation
• A reduction from a felony conviction to a misdemeanor conviction

Defendants should be aware, however, that resentencing will be permitted only in specific situations. Typically, a defendant’s sentence will be reduced in one of four scenarios:

1. The court made a clerical error with regard to the sentence imposed;
2. The court imposed a sentence that was not authorized by law and therefore illegal;
3. The court made a judicial error, such as improperly weighing evidence during sentencing; or
4. There have been changes in the law that entitle the defendant to seek resentencing.

If you think you are entitled to post-conviction resentencing, we can evaluate your case and then take the necessary steps to get the outcome you deserve.

An expungement can resolve many of the most negative aspects of a criminal conviction, including having to disclose your conviction to potential employers. An expungement would allow you to withdraw a no-contest or guilty plea, re-enter a plea of not guilty, and have the case dismissed. In other words, an expungement would make it as if you were never convicted of your crime. It applies to certain types of crimes, but not all.

While not all offenses qualify, to generally be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• You have successfully completed probation for the offense you wish to have expunged; and
• You are not currently facing charges, on probation, or serving a sentence for a separate criminal offense.

We can assess whether you qualify for an expungement, and then help you navigate the process so that you can put your conviction behind you.

If you have been charged with a traffic-related crime, such as reckless driving or hit and run, do not assume that the outcome of your case doesn’t matter. Depending on the charge you are facing, you could face various fines and other monetary penalties, points on your driving record, and even time in jail. In addition, you can expect an increase in your insurance rates that could result in years of higher premiums. Unfortunately, many people do not even understand the potential penalties they face until it is too late. If you have been charged with a traffic offense, we can explain your charges, the potential penalties, and your options for moving forward.

Like every other state, California has two categories of crimes: misdemeanors and felonies. Felonies are the most serious criminal charge you can face, and the penalties often include prison sentences that span several years. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are considered less serious charges, as they carry a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail. However, even a misdemeanor conviction can cause significant repercussions that affect your life for years to come.

California is somewhat unique, however, in that it has “wobbler” offenses – these are offenses that can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors. It allows law enforcement to charge defendants with a felony offense in cases where a misdemeanor charge would be more appropriate, giving them leverage to resolve cases more quickly.

R.J. Dreiling has handled almost every kind of criminal case, from misdemeanor traffic offenses to felony homicides. He brings over 15 years of experience to every case he handles. Leveraging his extensive experience and knowledge of criminal law, he can provide an aggressive defense focused on reaching a fair result. Whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, he can help.

Let us help you put your charges behind you – contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.