The first question is this: What does the client want? To find out I like to get the facts of the case together and then discuss the possibilities with my client so that the client can make an informed decision about what goal we pursue. Do we fight to the end? Do we settle this case quickly? Do we try to get the charges dismissed, or to prevent them from being filed in the first place? Often we make a plan (loosely defined) to try certain approaches at the start, and then rethink things if we don’t get what we want from those approaches.

My goal in every case is to achieve as good an outcome as I can. The best outcomes, of course, are that the charges are never filed in the first place, that the case is dismissed by the DA, or that the jury finds the client not guilty. But not every case ends up that way. Sometimes the facts are such that the goal is to get a plea bargain or otherwise to minimize the results of a guilty plea or verdict. There are a lot of ways that sentences can be made less burdensome; diversion, probation, community service, lower fines, better probation terms, work release instead of jail, to mention a few. Each case is different, each client is different, and so my approach to each case is different.

What does not vary from case to case is my goal, which is to achieve the best outcome that I can, once I understand my client’s wishes, and the facts of the case. What I find most enjoyable about being a lawyer is solving the puzzle of how to achieve the best that I can from each case. Lawyers have a lot of different ways of practicing law. Some are tough and abrasive, some offer a mass production service with results that aren’t so bad for a price that is less than you would pay elsewhere. I am pleasant, patient, intelligent, and determined. I pursue any avenue that seems to me to hold out a chance for success. My cases often move slowly, when that is acceptable to the client, because I am working the angles, waiting for the moment to get the better settlement offer from the DA, or for a case in the appeals courts to possibly improve the law for my case. I’m not in a hurry, and I put in a lot of hours on many of the cases I take on. That’s fine with me, I’m trying to win, not to make the most money from the case.

Money
Speaking of money, I have to say that I am not the least expensive attorney you can hire. I am not the most expensive, either. Like many criminal defense attorneys I prefer to work on a flat fee basis, and I prefer to be paid in advance. When I work for a fixed fee then I don’t have to worry about the hours I am putting in on the case being a drain on my client’s bank account. I do not want to have to abandon an approach that might work because I can’t sell it to my client as a good use of his or her money. So I evaluate the case, I make an offer, and once I’ve made the deal then I stick to it whether I make a lot per hour or not.

Where are you?
I have handled cases all over Northern California from Shasta to Santa Rosa, from Fort Bragg to Nevada City. Most of my cases are in Mendocino and Humboldt county courts: Ukiah, Willits, Garberville, Eureka. I am willing to travel anywhere in California to handle your case but travel is not cheap, so if you are in Southern California the extra travel expenses you will have to pay may make it more cost-effective to find a local attorney. If you absolutely must have me then let’s see what we can work out, but by and large it is clients in the northern counties who hire me.

What kinds of cases do I do?
I do general criminal defense: if you are charged or think you might be charged with a crime, that’s the kind of case I handle. I don’t sue people, not even police; and I don’t do family law. Most of my cases have involved either marijuana (often medical) or else driving under the influence. I’ve had some luck with forfeiture, too. Each case teaches me something new, and I think I really understand how to do marijuana and DUI cases well. I am willing to do other types of criminal cases and have handled assaults, child endangerment, pornography, and theft cases among others.

Want to talk?
If you are considering hiring an attorney to defend you against criminal charges, come see me. I’ve been doing this for number of years now and I’m still learning from each case. Let’s see if we get along, and if you would like for me to fight for your freedom and your reputation in the courts. If you want a good criminal defense, come talk to me. If you need legal advice about matters that might involve criminal problems - like medical marijuana - come talk to me. Initial consultations about cases are free, and I will answer legal questions not involving cases for free if I can do it in a short time. You can schedule an appoinment by calling (707) 923-4764.