Murrieta Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been charged with any motor vehicle offense such as driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, domestic violence, any embezzlement/theft related offenses, possession or sales of any narcotics, or any crimes of violence – regardless of how minor or serious – please call us immediately for your free consultation today. The Law Office of Julie Ann Baldwin handles virtually every type of criminal offense from misdemeanors to murder throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties.

In California, a criminal conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can have serious consequences, including high fines, required attendance in mandatory classes, as well as possible restrictions or a complete revocation of your privilege to operate a motor vehicle in the future. These penalties can be even harsher if you have sustained any prior convictions for driving under the influence, if there was a traffic collision involved, if minor passengers were present in your vehicle at the time of the incident, or if someone was injured as a result of the conduct. As such, it is important to have a knowledgeable and aggressive lawyer in your corner, identifying the critical issues and asking the important questions. For example, did you know that the police must have reasonable suspicion to believe that a crime was or is being committed prior to even initiating a traffic stop? Do you know if your blood, breath, or urine sample was obtained in accordance with the provisions set forth in Title XVII? Was the sample properly maintained and accurately analyzed at the government laboratory? You absolutely need to know the answers to these questions, and many more, in order to decide how best to proceed with your case.

Domestic violence encompasses a wide range of abuse or threats of abuse where the alleged victim and the perpetrator currently have or have previously shared an intimate relationship with one another. This includes married persons and/or domestic partners, those who are dating or were previously involved in a dating relationship with each other, current and former cohabitants, or those who have children together. Abuse is broadly defined in the law, and can be physical, verbal, emotional, or psychological and can also encompass other behaviors such as stalking or making criminal threats. Over the years, the legislature has heightened the penalties associated with domestic violence and other related convictions, including a mandatory fifty-two-week batterers treatment program, increased fines, custody time, and the very real probability that a criminal protective order or a restraining order will be issued against you. Additionally, a domestic violence conviction can have significant bearing on any divorce, child custody, or other related family law proceedings that may be going on during the pendency of the criminal case. Do you have a lawful claim of self-defense? Were there additional witnesses not mentioned in the police report? Have there been previous allegations of domestic violence in the past? It is important to hire a trusted attorney immediately to help answer these questions and navigate the complexities of these very personal cases.

White collar offenses typically involve non-violent behavior committed by those working in positions of trust within a commercial or business setting and motivated by financial gain. Embezzlement is one example and involves the theft or misappropriation of money or property entrusted to an employee for the benefit of the employer or business. These cases are frequently document intensive and require copious review of business records, bank transactions, and a solid understanding of the financial structure of the business entities in question. These crimes often carry steep financial penalties as well the very real probability of serving time in custody, depending upon the amount of the loss. In some cases, the court can seize or freeze assets upon the filing of a criminal complaint or indictment in order to ensure that restitution is paid. Burglary occurs when someone enters a residence or business with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein. Other related offenses include grand and petty theft. If you are facing any of these types of charges, you can trust that The Law Office of Julie Ann Baldwin is prepared to fight for you.

Drug crimes are widely prosecuted in the state of California and encompass a broad range of controlled substances including, but not limited to heroin, methamphetamine, certain prescription medications, and even marijuana. Conduct in drug cases can range from simple possession of a small quantity of narcotics, to transportation, cultivation, or manufacturing of controlled substances, to possession of drugs for the purpose of sales. The outcomes of these cases often hinge on whether law enforcement agents complied with applicable search and seizure law under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution during their investigation. If the evidence was obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment, a court is likely to exclude it from consideration. Additionally, depending upon the specific circumstances, courts now offer a variety of drug rehabilitation programs that you may be eligible to participate in.

Ms. Baldwin is your Murrieta criminal defense lawyer. No matter what you are facing, you can rest assured that with Ms. Baldwin in your corner, you will not have to confront the challenges of the criminal justice system alone. We believe that thoughtful, honest, and direct communication with our clients is key to fostering a solid foundation for achieving the best possible result in every case. We strive to establish open lines of communication with you from the outset and are committed to personally responding to emails and phone calls within 24 hours, absent extraordinary circumstances. We understand and appreciate that each client merits individualized attention and each case presents a set of circumstances uniquely its own. We are staunchly committed to fully understanding and evaluating all attributes of each case with a keen eye toward achieving the most favorable outcome possible for you.

In some instances, Ms. Baldwin may recommend that additional investigation be performed to strengthen the defense of your case. The Law Office of Julie Ann Baldwin works in close partnership with the seasoned team of highly trained professionals at John Powers Investigations. Mr. Powers is a retired, twenty-six-year veteran of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, where he served as a patrol deputy, narcotics investigator, homicide detective, master investigator, and sergeant at various locations countywide over the course of his distinguished career. We are thrilled to have his knowledge, training, and extensive investigative experience working in partnership with our firm and for the benefit of our clientele.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime, do not hesitate to contact your Murrieta criminal defense lawyer at The Law Office of Julie Ann Baldwin. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help. We are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for your convenience. Initial consultations are always free of charge and you can expect to get an informed and timely response to your inquiry. Your constitutional rights and your liberty deserve to be taken seriously by an experienced attorney who cares about you and believes that every client is entitled to quality representation and compassionate advocacy, every step of the way.