Marin County Criminal Attorney

About Me

• I have handled over 1,000 criminal cases, ranging from misdemeanors to homicide.
• I have achieved complete dismissals in approximately half of the cases I have handled as a private defense lawyer.
• I have tried over 25 cases to verdict. I have never lost a felony trial.
• I am a Criminal Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization – a qualification held by only 0.17% of active-status California-licensed attorneys.
• For seven years, I served as a prosecutor, a position in which I handled every kind of case.
• I am an adjunct law professor at an accredited Bay Area law school where I teach second- and third-year law school courses in criminal law, evidence, and trial practice.
• I have practiced law as a California-licensed attorney since 2004.
• I received my law degree from Harvard Law School and my undergraduate degree from Stanford University.

My Primary Practice Areas

I have experience handling all types and levels of California criminal cases, including expertise in:

Violent / Serious Strike Felony Charges. Certain “violent” or “serious” felonies, listed in Penal Code §§ 667.5(c) and 1192.7(c) (including homicide, most sex crimes, and many crimes against a person) carry additional consequences under California’s “Three Strikes Law.” If a defendant is convicted of such a “strike” felony, the possibility of a prison commitment is substantially higher, especially if a named victim has been seriously hurt or has died. Moreover, following a strike conviction, any future felony conviction results in a doubled prison sentence with no option for probation. If a defendant with two prior strikes is convicted of a third strike, the mandatory sentence is 25 years to life. Defendants in certain serious sex cases may also face a possible life sentence despite having no prior record under the “One Strike Sex Crime Law” (Penal Code § 667.61). Given these dire possible consequences, a case alleging a strike charge demands the most vigorous defense available. I have extensive experience handling serious or violent felonies, including those with possible exposure of life in prison. As a prosecutor, I spent several years assigned to a felony department with a steady in-flow of strike felonies. As a Marin County criminal lawyer, I have represented numerous clients charged with strike felonies with the understanding that failure is not an option in these high-stakes cases.

Misdemeanors and Overcharged Felonies. A surprising fact about the criminal justice system that many people, who have minimal or no records, gainful employment, and everything to lose, find themselves involved with the criminal justice system. These defendants are generally charged with misdemeanors or “wobblers” (crimes which can be charged at either the misdemeanor or felony level). Such offenses may include less-serious crimes against a person, property crimes, drug crimes, weapons offenses, DUIs and other vehicle offenses, and crimes against the government. These non-criminal defendants facing such relatively minor but usually overcharged misdemeanor or felony cases often feel scared and bewildered, especially if they have little or no experience in the criminal justice system. Often, these defendants are being painted by the prosecution in a way that does not fairly reflect who they are. The good news is that a competent defense can often dispose of these kinds of cases in a way that leaves little or no mark. As a former prosecutor and a skilled defense attorney, I know how to fight back against these typically overzealously-charged cases against decent citizens and win dismissals and substantially-reduced dispositions.

Domestic Violence. In criminal law, domestic violence is abuse against a spouse or former spouse, a cohabitant or former cohabitant, a person with whom the defendant has had a dating relationship, a co-parent, or any other first- or second- degree relative, including one by marriage. Domestic violence charges may include battery, assault, threats, stalking, restraining order violations, or certain abusive property crimes. As both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, I have handled over one hundred domestic violence cases, ranging from simple battery to attempted murder. Because I have tried numerous domestic violence cases and teach an upper-division law school course on domestic violence, I understand how to analyze and approach domestic violence charges.

Criminal Cases Involving Mental Health Issues. Today, mental health issues are more prevalent than ever, in criminal courts. Many defendants are unaware that their conduct, which fairly or unfairly has led to criminal charges, may be in fact the result of mental health issues. Many are also unaware that there are recently-enacted programs and policies which can not only offer treatment, but also relief from conviction or incarceration. As a Marin County criminal lawyer, I offer my clients litigation strategies and wrap-around services to achieve these non-punitive, treatment-oriented case solutions.

Crime Victim Representation. Victims of crimes face a different set of issues and challenges, including how to navigate the police investigative process, how to be heard by the prosecution and the court, how to approach a subpoena to appear as a witness, and how to recover as much as possible what was lost emotionally and financially. Victims may also have questions about whether additional legal avenues should be pursued independent of the criminal case, including restraining orders or civil lawsuits for damages or injunctive relief. As an experienced civil litigator and former prosecutor, I have extensive experience fighting for the interests of victims and plaintiffs.

Second Opinions. If you currently have representation, but you still do not feel 100 percent assured regarding the direction of your defense, a second opinion from an independent attorney with expertise in criminal law can provide peace of mind or a much-needed wake-up call. I offer comprehensive file reviews and in-depth second opinion consultations at a reasonable hourly rate. This small investment may make all the difference in your case.

Your future is too valuable. Contact me today for a free confidential consultation about your criminal law matter.