Criminal Defense

Acts that violate the laws set forth by the government and state of California are considered criminal, which means that they are punishable by legal authority. Criminal laws are very strict, and they mandate severe penalties for violators. If convicted of a criminal offense, you could face punishments such as imprisonment, monetary fines, and harsh probation terms. Your criminal record will also be permanently damaged. Unfortunately, the problems do not stop after the legal process. Your criminal conviction can cause limitations to your housing, education, and employment opportunities well into the future. A felony conviction, such as felony DUI, grand theft, or carjacking, may even impact your ability to own a firearm or work in certain professions. A sex crime conviction will also result in mandatory sex offender registration for life, something that will forever impact your acceptance in society. Following are some of the areas we defend:

Assault & Battery
While they are often coupled together, assault and battery actually refer to two different crimes. Assault is the threat of physical violence towards another person. Battery is the actual carrying out of these threats. Read more on assault & battery.

Criminal Expungements
If you have made a mistake in your past and want to get it removed from your criminal record, there are steps you can take to bring this about. Expungement is a way to delete or remove a criminal offense and allows you to have a clean slate. This option is not available to everyone, but by seeking the help of a Riverside criminal defense attorney, your chances are greatly increased. Read more on criminal expungements.

Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is defined as any physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse towards a member of one's family or household. This can also extend to individuals who are in a dating relationship. If you have been accused of child abuse or spousal abuse, talk to a member of our legal team. Read more on domestic violence.

Drug Crimes
Drug possession, drug trafficking, drug distribution, and drug manufacturing are all examples of drug crimes. They can be charged either as misdemeanors or felonies and could lead to time in jail or prison. Depending on the severity of the accusation as well as if there were any aggravating factors will, you could be sentenced to life imprisonment. Read more on drug crimes.

DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol leads to impaired reaction time and impaired hand-eye coordination. If you were found to be driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or above, you could be convicted of DUI. Read more on DUI.

Felonies
Felony offenses are more serious than misdemeanors and can be punishable by prison. Examples of felonies include: robbery, murder, manslaughter, rape, burglary, and drug trafficking. Some severe cases of DUI are also charged as felonies. Read more on felonies.

Hit & Run
If you were accused of causing an accident that resulted in property damage or injury and then left the scene of the accident, you could be charged with hit and run. It is against the law to leave an accident without exchanging information or calling emergency personnel. Read more on hit & run.

Internet Crimes
Internet crimes include: identity theft, illegal pornography, internet fraud, embezzlement, credit card fraud, hacking, soliciting a minor, and more. Internet crimes or cybercrimes are increasing in frequency and law enforcement is cracking down on any suspected cases. Read more on internet crimes.

Misdemeanors
Although less severe than a felony, misdemeanors are still very serious. DUI, theft, domestic violence, and some drug crimes are classified as misdemeanors. You could be sent to jail for up to one year and be charged steep fines. Read more on misdemeanors.

Murder
As one of the most serious accusations you could face, it is imperative that you contact an attorney if you have been convicted to murder. Other forms of homicide like manslaughter, attempted murder, or vehicular homicide are also extremely serious and could result in life imprisonment. Read more on murder.

Probation Violations
As part of a sentence, the defendant may be give a probation period. If you are found guilty of violating any part of your probation, you could be required to serve the remainder of the sentence in jail. Read more on probation violations.

Sex Crimes
A sex crime conviction is very serious as it results in permanently registering as a sex offender. If you have been arrested for rape, child molestation, lewd conduct, or sexual assault, you should contact a member of our legal team as soon as possible. Read more on sex crimes.

Theft Crimes
Depending on the amount stolen as well as the type of goods stolen, a theft crime could be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. Petty theft, identity theft, grand theft, grand larceny, and burglary are all examples of theft crimes. Read more on theft crimes.

Third Strike Crimes
In the state of California, the third strike law states that after an individual has been convicted of three felonies or serious crimes, the sentence is life imprisonment. You can receive a strike for a serious or violent felony, but the third strike does not have to be serious or violent to receive this harsh sentence. Read more on third strike crimes.

Violent Crimes
Aggravated battery, arson, burglary, domestic violence, murder, and manslaughter are classified as violent crimes. If the violent crime is a felony, they could be punished by a minimum of one year in prison as well as heavy fines. Read more on violent crimes.

Warrants
Bench warrants, arrest warrants, and search warrants are court orders that authorize law enforcement to take legal action against the individual. A bench warrant allows police to take a person into custody who failed to show up for their court date. An arrest warrant allows the authorities to arrest the individual and a search warrant allows them to each a home or property. Read more on warrants.

White Collar Crimes
If you have been accused of bribery, fraud, money laundering, identity theft, obstruction of justice, or tax evasion, you could be charged with a white collar crimes. These violations get their name from the fact that many are committed within the business world by employees in a position of trust. Read more on white collar crimes.

In California, criminal offenses include, but are not limited to, drug crimes (possession, drug sales or distribution of narcotics), sex crimes (rape, child molestation, or sexual assault), and theft crimes (arson, burglary, or robbery). These may be classified according to the potential sentences that a judge may enforce upon a conviction. A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to 12 months in county jail and is a lesser offense than a felony, which is punishable by a minimum of 1 year in state prison. Serious felonies may be punishable by up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty in extreme cases.

If you have been arrested in or around Riverside, your first step should be contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney. It is important to remember that you have the right to criminal defense counsel. Exercising this right early in the process - if possible before charges are even filed against you - can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. You will have a legal professional actively protecting your Constitutional rights through every step of your case, challenging the District Attorney's case against you to seek the most advantageous outcome possible.

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a crime, it is imperative that you speak with a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Gregory H. Comings is a reputable California criminal defense attorney who can answer all of your criminal law questions. Attorney Comings will advise you throughout your case process, making sure that you are always well-informed. We have helped clients throughout San Bernardino and Riverside County by aggressively fighting their criminal charges and protecting their rights from the very beginning. Understanding your individual rights and the legal system is the best way to establish your defense. Let our firm inform you of your options.

Contact a Riverside criminal defense lawyer at our law firm today to learn more about how we can help in the face of an arrest or criminal charges of any kind.