CRAWFORD'S BLOGS

In California, the crime of Assault With a Deadly Weapon (ADW) is  defined by Penal Code Section 245(a)(1). Typically, this crime is filed as a felony charge, although it is a “wobbler” and can be filed as a misdemeanor as well. In order to prove ADW, the prosecutor has to prove two main componen...

Domestic violence is not always a felony. Whether or not a charge is filed as a misdemeanor or felony depends largely upon the seriousness of the injury.

Five count felony case dismissed

As of January 1, 2021, California Penal Code Section 1001.95 allows a judge to grant diversion in most misdemeanor cases. When a criminal defendant is granted diversion, their case is put “on hold” while the defendant complies with terms laid out by the judge; if the defendant complies with the j...

DUI drug case dismissed. We proved that the search (blood draw) following our client's arrest was performed in violation of the client's 4th Amendment rights to be free from illegal search and seizure.

Criminal theft charges were dismissed for a Salinas woman who is now attending nursing school with a clean criminal record.

This Monterey misdemeanor arrest for reckless driving was dismissed due to the dogged determination of Brett Hartmann who would stop fighting until he got this outcome.

A Salinas woman was arrested for Battery and advised by her public defender to plead guilty. Once she hired our firm we moved the court for diversion, which the court granted. Our client will have no criminal record and her arrest record will be sealed.

Refusal hearings are extremely difficult to win at DMV but, attorney Phillip Crawford just won three and saved his clients from a minimum one year license suspension.

Pleading to a "wet reckless" instead of a DUI saved client's job.

What is DUI School and How Does it Work in California?             In California, when you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, there are two cases against you: (1) the traditional criminal case that is handled in the local Superior Court; and (2) the DMV “Admini...

California's new misdemeanor diversion law may allow you to avoid a criminal conviction. However, if you are granted diversion, you must be aware that the judge will impose potentially onerous requirements on you. If you don't complete these requirements you will be terminated from the program.

Sealing Your Arrest Record in California             When you are arrested for a crime in California, the record of your arrest is public information. This is true even if the prosecutor never files criminal charges or if your case is later dismissed. An arrest can show up on a background check ...

THE CURRENT STATUS OF CALIFORNIA'S THREE STRIKES LAW California's Three Strikes law was enacted in 1994 in an effort to keep murderers and rapists off the streets.  The law mandated that a defendant convicted of any felony with two, or more, prior strikes would receive a prison sentence of 25-to...

New California law shortens the maximum probation for most misdemeanors to one year and most felonies to two years. The law does not take effect until January 1, 2021 which raises important issues. Please call us today for a free consultation.

Phillip Crawford in the News Fighting to Keep Courtrooms Safe

Felony probation is an alternative to state prison and if you follow all the terms of your probation you can successfully avoid all prison time. The ultimate goal however is to avoid a felony conviction on your record.

Many people are charged with domestic violence even though their wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend does not want them prosecuted. But, there are many ways to get these cases dismissed. Call our office and talk with a dedicated domestic violence attorney.