Our San Diego criminal defense attorneys have a proven track record of getting infraction, misdemeanor, and felony charges reduced or dismissed throughout San Diego County. Our local law office is located at:
3111 Camino Del Rio N, Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 275-6100
Nearby areas our criminal defense lawyers serve include Chula Vista, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, La Mesa, Encinitas, Hillcrest, Balboa Park, Imperial Beach, Encanto, National City, Lemon Grove, San Marcos, Poway, Santee, and La Jolla.
Expert San Diego DUI defense and criminal defense
Michael Scafiddi, Esq.
San Diego criminal defense lawyer and criminal law specialist Michael Scafiddi had years of experience working as a police sergeant and observing how prosecutors make their cases. Now he uses this insider know-how of the criminal justice system to find critical mistakes made by the city of San Diego Police Department or the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Then he crafts the best legal defense strategies available for our clients by showing prosecutors that their evidence is too weak to sustain a guilty verdict.
Common criminal cases we take include:
- Criminal record expungements
- Domestic violence
- Drug crimes, like drug possession (HS 11350)
- DUI
- Restoring gun rights
- Sex crimes
- Theft crimes, like shoplifting
- Three Strikes
- Violent crimes
- White collar crimes
Our DUI attorneys also appear at license revocation hearings to contest the DMV’s mandatory suspensions of our clients’ licenses. Learn more about San Diego DUI penalties.
San Diego Jails
Male arrestees are booked at the San Diego Central Jail, located at:
1173 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 615-2700
Female arrestees are booked at the Las Colinas Detention Facility, located at:
451 Riverview Parkway
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 402-1312
In northern San Diego county, arrestees are typically booked at the Vista Detention Facility.
325 S. Melrose Dr., #200
Vista, CA 92081
(760) 936-0014
People can search for inmate information here.
San Diego Courthouses
Our Shouse Law Group attorneys appear in every courthouse in San Diego county, including:
Central Courthouse
1100 Union St,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 844-2400
Kearny Mesa Courthouse
8950 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 634-1800
East County Regional Center
250 E Main St
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 456-4100
North County Regional Center
325 South Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92081
(760) 201-8600
South County Regional Center
500 3rd Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 746-6200
Defendants can search for their case information here.
Criminal court process
In most cases, people arrested for a crime will be able to post bail or get OR release. Assuming the San Diego District Attorney presses charges, defendants will then be expected to appear at their arraignment. Though in several cases, the defendant can skip the arraignment if he/she has a private attorney representing him/her in court.
For defendants who cannot afford to hire an attorney of their own, the judge will assign a public defender. However, defendants typically have a hard time getting in touch with their public defender over the phone because they are so busy. That is why everyone is encouraged to hire their own lawyer if at all possible.
Defendants who miss any required court appearance will have a bench warrant issued for their arrest.
Once the defendant is formally charged, the prosecutors will likely make a plea bargain offer to the defense attorney. Then the defense attorney may counter-offer. In most misdemeanor and felony cases, both sides will come to an agreement which may involve a substantial charge reduction or dismissal. This way, the parties can avoid going to trial.
Should the defendant ultimately get convicted (whether through a plea bargain or a guilty verdict at a bench- or jury trial), the judge will hold a sentencing hearing. Depending on the case, the defendant may be able to do probation and avoid jail. Common sentencing terms include community service, paying fines, attending educational classes or counseling, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and avoiding more arrests.
Call our law firm for legal advice. The Law Office of Shouse Law Group offers free consultations about your criminal charges.
Have you or a loved one been accused of a crime in the San Diego area? Our criminal defense law firm is devoted to providing legal representation to maximize your chances for the best possible outcome. Our trial lawyers – which includes former prosecutors and law enforcement officers – have law offices throughout northern, central, and southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, and more. We appear in both state court and federal court. And our practice areas include personal injury in addition to DUI/DWI and criminal defense cases. Call today for a free case evaluation.
Disclaimer: Past results and testimonials do not guarantee future results.