The San Jose criminal defense attorneys at Spodek Law Group fight to get felony, misdemeanor, and infraction charges lowered or dismissed in the Bay Area and throughout Santa Clara County.
Our San Jose criminal defense team includes former prosecutors and law enforcement officers. From our years of experience, we know how the police handle criminal charges. We use their tactics against them to battle against the District Attorney in pursuit of the best outcome possible for our clients.
A few of the most common cases our criminal defense firm works on include:
- Domestic violence charges
- Drug crimes, including drug possession charges (HS 11350)
- Embezzlement charges (PC 503)
- Hit and run charges (VC 20002)
- Bail hearings
- Expungement of criminal records
- Lewd conduct offenses
- Sex offenses
- Shoplifting and other theft charges
- Traffic violations
- Parole violation matters
- Probation violation matters
- Violent crime charges
- White collar offenses
The San Jose DUI attorneys on our team deal with both your criminal DUI case as well as your DMV license suspension hearing.
The surrounding areas we serve include Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Burbank, Mountain View , Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Saratoga, Stanford, San Jose, Santa Clara, Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, and beyond.
Police Department and Courts Information for Santa Clara County
Law enforcement is handled by the San Jose Police Department in the city of San Jose. The Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department handles enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County in addition to Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, and Saratoga.
Individuals arrested in San Jose will customarily be booked at the Santa Clara County Main Jail, located at 150 W. Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110, (408) 808-2804.
- You can look up inmate information by clicking here.
- Criminal matters in Santa Clara County are heard at the Hall of Justice Superior Court, which is at 190-200 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110, (408) 808-6600.
- You can look for inmate information here.
The San Jose Criminal Court Process
After people are arrested and booked, they can generally get released from jail on bail or their own recognizance (OR Release). The condition of the release is to appear at all future court appearances in their cases. If defendant hires a private attorney, they might be able to skip some or all of these court dates
A defendant who is unable to pay for legal representation will be assigned a public defender by the court.
For defendants who skip a court appearance, a bench warrant is issued by the presiding judge. During the time that a bench warrant is active, the defendant may be arrested at any time and brought into court. The bench warrant never expires. Nevertheless, judges may recall a bench warrant if the defense files a motion to quash the warrant and shows up at a hearing.
Once the arraignment is over, the defense lawyer and prosecutors communicate with each other in the hopes of arriving at a resolution without a trial. Depending on how strong or weak the District Attorney’s case is, the prosecutors may agree to dismiss or reduce the charges through a plea agreement.
Preliminary Hearings
Individuals charged with felonies are entitled to a preliminary hearing. The only exception to this rule is if a grand jury indicted the defendant. The purpose of the preliminary hearing is for prosecutors to demonstrate to the court that they have sufficient evidence to continue pressing charges.
The prosecutors typically win the preliminary hearing, because the burden of proof is low. At this point, they do not have to prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Rather, they just need to show there is probable cause the defendant committed the crime. If, by chance, the defense attorney wins the hearing, then the charges are dismissed.
Conviction in San Jose Criminal Cases
In the event that the defendant gets convicted of a crime, the court will then impose a sentence. Depending on the facts of the case and the defendant’s criminal history, the judge may grant probation carrying no jail time as long as the defendant abides by all the probationary terms.
Reach out to the criminal defense attorneys at Spodek Law Group for legal advice. Our attorneys offer you a free, confidential consultation on your legal issues.
Have you or a loved one been accused of a crime? Our San Jose criminal defense lawyers and trial attorneys may be able to get your charges reduced or even completely dropped.
Our highly skilled attorneys fight the criminal justice system all around southern, central, and northern California, including San Francisco, Fremont, Redwood City, Alameda, Oakland, and all of Silicon Valley. The practice areas we serve include personal injury, family law and estate planning in addition to criminal law and DUI/DWI. Every attorney at law at Spodek Law Group appears in both state and federal courts.
Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, Spodek Defense will provide you with the aggressive representation you need to protect your rights.
Some of the cases we handle include:
DUI/DWI – Summit Defense has successfully defended many clients facing DUI charges. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Assault – Assault charges can be very serious, especially if they involve a weapon or lead to serious injury. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Theft – If you have been charged with theft, we will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Burglary – Burglary is a serious crime that can lead to significant jail time if convicted. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Robbery – Robbery is a serious crime that can lead to significant jail time if convicted. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Violent Crimes – Violent crimes are some of the most serious offenses an individual can be charged with. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Drug Crimes – Drug crimes are serious offenses that can lead to significant jail time if convicted. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Sex Crimes – Sex crimes are some of the most serious offenses an individual can be charged with. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
White Collar Crimes – White collar crimes are serious offenses that can lead to significant jail time if convicted. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
Domestic Violence – Domestic violence is a serious crime that can lead to significant jail time if convicted. We will use our experience and resources to defend your case and protect your rights.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, contact Spodek Defense today for a free consultation.
What to look for when hiring a San Jose criminal lawyer
You should also consider the fees that your criminal defense lawyer will charge you. Many lawyers charge a flat fee for their services, but some will charge an hourly rate. You should ask your lawyer how much he or she charges for their services and whether they offer a free consultation.
The best criminal defense lawyers in San Jose California are experienced in handling all types of crimes, including DUI, burglary, assault, and more. They can help you get the best possible outcome for your case and can even negotiate with prosecutors to get you a reduced sentence or even a dismissal of your charges. If you have been charged with any type of crime in San Jose California, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who has handled similar cases before.
You should also ask your criminal defense lawyer about their experience in dealing with the specific type of crime you have been charged with. If they have handled similar cases before, they will be able to give you a better idea of what to expect from your case and how to prepare for it.
If you are facing any type of criminal charges in San Jose California, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who has handled similar cases before. You should also ask your lawyer about their experience in dealing with the specific type of crime you have been charged with. If they have handled similar cases before, they will be able to give you a better idea of what to expect from your case and how to prepare for it.