Fresno Criminal Lawyer
Fresno Criminal Lawyer – Criminal Defense Lawyer Rick Horowitz
“It was a dark and stormy night….”
Ok. A little cliche. And, unlike “Night Court,” which originally aired on NBC from January 4, 1984 until May 31, 1992, I don’t actually know of any California courts that are held at night.
But, hey, it’s Halloween! Time for a little legal haunted house!
Welcome to the Legal Haunted House
You may have been driving down the street one night. The police pulled you over for a tail light that was out.
The next thing you know, you’re being hauled off to jail. While running your license, police discovered a warrant for your arrest. Maybe you know why. Maybe you don’t.
Or you might have been sitting at home when officers showed up — not looking for treats; the trick is on you — and “Boom!” They break down the door, charge in with weapons drawn, ordering you to the ground.
Or maybe you got a “friendly invitation” from the District Attorney in the mail.
You are cordially invited to present yourself to the Fresno County Superior Court on October 31, 2024 to defend yourself for the crime of….
The invitation further states that if you fail to show up on the appointed date, ogres will be dispatched forthwith.
You decide to find a goblin — a defense attorney — to advise and guide you. You’re accepting the “invitation.”
I Am One Such Goblin: I’m a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Your decision to hire a Goblin Guide, a.k.a., Criminal Defense Lawyer is a wise one. No one — not even a Goblin — should ever decide to be their own lawyer.
This is particularly true if you’re a non-goblin. Facing criminal charges — whether for a felony or a “simple” misdemeanor — can be full of unexpected twists; scary figures, like prosecutors, judges, unfamiliar legal terms, and strange legal procedures; not to mention the fear of any hidden “skeletons,” like so-called “priorable” charges from your past being exposed. These can increase your risk of imprisonment, and cause non-citizens to be deported.
As your Goblin Guide, I’m experienced and prepared to guide you through all that.
The Eerie Entrance: Close Encounters of the Legal Kind
Before crossing the threshold of the legal haunted house, I’ve either met you in person in my office, or visited you at the jail. Either way, we’ve begun the process of working together as Charge Busters.
In our first meeting I broke down the unknowns for you in language you can understand. We began to demystify the process. By telling you, for example, about the whole procedure from arraignment through pre-preliminary hearings, preliminary hearings, and any other criminal court procedures we might encounter, your initial fog of fear fades.
Before getting to court — before even receiving discovery (police reports and other evidence the prosecution holds) — we may have begun the defense investigation, or started formulating potential defense strategies.
But, regardless, you’re ready for the eerie entrance.
Ghosts of the Past? Or Skeletons in the Closet.
I mentioned above the potential for past mistakes or prior convictions resurfacing. This can happen even if you had a California “expungement.”
“Expunge” normally means normally means to erase or remove completely. That’s not the case in California expungement law, though.
Some prior charges — particularly involving “Three Strikes” law — can have a significant impact on any new case, if you are convicted.
It can also impact your ability to be released on bail.
Republican lawmakers in at least 14 states — including Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin — introduced about 20 bills [in 2023] aimed at increasing the number of non-bailable offenses and either encouraging or requiring judges to consider defendants’ criminal records when setting bail, according to analysis by The Associated Press.
— Amanda Hernández, “Cash bail policies are under fresh scrutiny” (November 13, 2023)
I have successfully argued for pretrial release for those who cannot afford the bond, or when prosecutors request the court to deny allowing bail at all.[1]This is not a promise that I will win your release. Every case is different. I’m just noting that I do have significant experience with this. I can’t promise a win. But I can use my knowledge, skill, and experience at exorcisms to fight off the demons that would keep you locked up.
Monsters in the Courtroom
Speaking of demons….
From the minute you are first charged, police, prosecutors, and sometimes even judges will be hard at work using scare tactics to get you to plead.
This might include the judge exaggerating the seriousness of your offense. In trying to get you locked up even before conviction — that is, asking the judge to deny bail — prosecutors bring up “intimidating” evidence. You’re a threat to the community. The victim is afraid of you hurting him or her if you are released.
Again, I’ll fight for you. I’ll work to remind the judge what the law says. We will show that you are not the monster in the courtroom.
Dead Ends, False Doors: Navigating the Complexities of the Legal Haunted House
People accused of crimes are usually confused by court proceedings. I stand next to people almost every day where, after we leave the courtroom, they ask, “What just happened?”
I understand that. That’s why I consider a big part of my job to be one of clarifying the legal process and guiding clients through each step.
To avoid overload and unnecessary fear, I remind the people I defend that I am the One-Step-at-a-Time Guy. But I always go that extra step to make sure you get what’s happening.
While fighting the prosecution, I’ll also point out the maze’s trick doors and false exits to help you in finding the true path. It’s chaos to you, but I’ve been here before. I’ll set us on a clear direction.
And if something pops up unexpectedly, I’ve probably seen that before, too. We’ll figure things out.
The Final Escape from the Legal Haunted House
The truth is, nobody can predict the future. If you talk to me in my office, I’ll probably tell you about my crystal ball — or, rather, the fact that I don’t have one.
I’ll point to the crystal on the table next to your seat. “If you read what’s on there,” I’ll say, “it might make you feel better about me as a lawyer. But that’s the only crystal in this office. And it’s not a crystal ball.”
I can’t tell the future. So only one promise is ever made. The promise that I’ll use all my past experiences, skill, and training — which is always ongoing, by the way! — to fight for you.
Even in the most frightening part of our journey together through the Legal Haunted House, I remain steadfast. I’ve got your back. You won’t be facing this alone.
Headed to the Legal Haunted House? Call Me Today!
Don’t take on the System with its ghouls, ghosts, and other scary creatures without your own Goblin Guide.
Just yesterday a client leaving my office said, “I always feel better after I talk to you.” This was just after he’d been arrested, and we worked to get him released on bail.
If you, or someone you know, is in trouble with the law, call me. Today. Tonight. Whenever.
I’ll be your very own Goblin Guide — starting with a free consultation in my office[2]Jail consultations come with a refundable fee. Call for details. — guiding you through the maze, helping you understand, giving you the tools to master your fear.
Don’t challenge the Legal Haunted House alone!
Call now to get your very own Goblin Guide! (559) 233-8886
Footnotes
The post Legal Haunted House appeared first on Fresno Criminal Lawyer. It was written by Rick.