Criminal Defense Attorneys in Santa Ana
Facing criminal charges is intimidating. Our Santa Ana criminal defense attorneys protect your constitutional rights, your record and your freedom from the first court date through trial.
A serious defense for every charge, from DUI to felonies
The criminal defense attorneys at Fontes Law Group understand that when individuals face criminal charges, it can be an intimidating process. An arrest can put your job, your driver’s license, your family and, for non-citizens, your immigration status at risk before a single fact has been proven.
It is vital to obtain a criminal attorney who can defend your constitutional rights. From the moment you are contacted by police, decisions about what you say, what you sign and when you appear shape the outcome of your case. Our firm has defended clients against criminal charges throughout Orange County and obtained successful outcomes in court.
We handle misdemeanors and felonies in the Orange County Superior Court, including DUI and DWI, theft, drug charges, domestic violence, violent crimes, sex offenses and weapons charges, as well as expungements and post-conviction relief once a case is over.
Every case is handled in English or Spanish by an attorney, not passed through an intake service, and every case is prepared as if it will go to trial. Prosecutors negotiate differently when they know the defense is ready for a courtroom.
Experience. Preparation. Results.
Our practice is led by Martin C. Fontes, who has represented thousands of clients and their families. His team of attorneys has a combined total of more than 20 years of experience, and our criminal defense work is led by Of Counsel Natalie Sanchez, who appears in the Orange County, Riverside and Los Angeles courts.
- Successful outcomes in DUI, theft, drug and domestic violence cases
- Every team member speaks Spanish
- Immigration consequences reviewed on every case
- Reasonable flat fees with payment plans available
- No fees for your initial consultation
Attorneys who will stand beside you
Natalie Sanchez
Criminal defense attorney serving Orange County, Riverside and Los Angeles. Fluent in English and Spanish.
Martin C. Fontes
Leads the practice. Reviews the immigration consequences of every criminal case for clients who are not U.S. citizens.
Criminal defense services
From the police report to the final disposition, we defend the charges Orange County prosecutors file most often.
DUI / DWI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the DMV license hearing, and the criminal case that runs alongside it.
Theft Charges
Petty theft, shoplifting, grand theft, burglary, embezzlement and receiving stolen property.
Drug Charges
Possession, possession for sale, transportation and cultivation, including diversion and treatment alternatives.
Violent Crimes
Assault, battery, robbery and other charges where the penalties and the stakes are the highest.
Domestic Violence
Defense against domestic violence charges and the criminal protective orders that come with them.
Sex Offenses
Charges that carry registration requirements and lifelong consequences, handled discreetly and aggressively.
Weapons & Firearms Charges
Unlawful possession, carrying a concealed weapon and firearm enhancements.
Expungements
Dismissal of a conviction under Penal Code 1203.4 so it no longer follows you to job and housing applications.
Post-Conviction Relief
Reducing felonies to misdemeanors, early termination of probation, and motions to vacate convictions with immigration consequences.
How a criminal case moves through the Orange County courts
Most criminal cases in Santa Ana follow the same path. It begins with an arrest or a citation, followed by an arraignment at the Orange County Superior Court where the charges are read and a plea is entered. Misdemeanors and felonies are handled differently from that point: a felony adds a preliminary hearing where a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to proceed.
Between arraignment and trial there are pretrial hearings, discovery, motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, and negotiations with the district attorney. Most cases resolve during this stage. The ones that do not go to a jury trial.
Misdemeanors and felonies
A misdemeanor carries up to a year in county jail, fines and probation. A felony can mean state prison, and a felony conviction affects voting, firearm and professional-licensing rights long after the sentence is served. Many California offenses are “wobblers” that the prosecutor can file either way, and a large part of our early work is pushing for the misdemeanor filing, a reduction, or diversion that keeps a conviction off your record entirely.
Your rights when you are arrested
The Constitution protects you from the moment police contact you, whether or not you are a U.S. citizen. Knowing those rights, and using them, is often the difference between a dismissed case and a conviction. You have the right to:
- Remain silent and refuse to answer questions without a lawyer present
- Refuse a search of your home, car or phone without a warrant
- Be told the charges against you at arraignment
- An attorney at every critical stage, and a court interpreter if you need one
- Reasonable bail, and a bail review hearing
- Confront the witnesses against you and present your own evidence at trial
Immigration consequences of a conviction
For clients who are not U.S. citizens, the criminal case is only half the problem. Certain convictions, and sometimes a plea to what looks like a minor offense, can trigger deportation, block a green card or naturalization, or bar re-entry to the United States. Because Fontes Law Group practices both criminal defense and immigration law, every plea we negotiate is reviewed for its immigration consequences before you accept it.
Convictions that most often cause immigration problems include:
- Drug offenses, including simple possession
- Domestic violence and violations of protective orders
- Theft and fraud offenses treated as crimes of moral turpitude
- Firearms offenses
- Aggravated felonies, a category that includes some offenses charged as misdemeanors
How a criminal defense attorney can support you
A good defense starts early. Before charges are filed, an attorney can speak to the detective and the district attorney on your behalf, arrange a voluntary surrender instead of an arrest at work, and in some cases persuade the prosecutor not to file at all. Once charges are filed, we examine how the evidence was gathered, whether the stop or search was lawful, and whether the prosecution can actually prove each element of the offense.
Fontes Law Group represents clients in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana and the other Orange County courthouses, and in the DMV administrative hearings that follow a DUI arrest. If you are facing a DUI charge, it is important to seek help from an experienced DUI lawyer in Santa Ana as soon as possible: the DMV hearing must be requested within ten days of the arrest. Visit our DUI page for more information.
Reasonable, flat fees with payment plans available
We quote reasonable fees for our criminal law matters. They are accepted on a flat-fee basis, and payment plans are available. Our sophisticated, efficient, affordable, and client-centered services separate us from other firms as we help our clients achieve their goals.
Helpful resources
FAQs about criminal defense
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor?+
Yes. A misdemeanor conviction still goes on your record, can carry jail time and fines, and can affect employment, professional licenses and immigration status. Many misdemeanors can be reduced, diverted or dismissed with the right defense.
What happens at my first court date?+
The first appearance is the arraignment. The charges are read, you enter a plea (almost always not guilty at this stage), and the judge addresses bail or release conditions. If you have an attorney, we appear with you and, for most misdemeanors, can appear on your behalf.
Will a criminal conviction affect my immigration status?+
It can, even for offenses that seem minor. Because we practice both criminal defense and immigration law, we review the immigration consequences of every plea before you accept it, and we look for alternatives that protect your status.
Can I get my record expunged?+
Most California misdemeanor and many felony convictions can be dismissed under Penal Code 1203.4 once probation is complete. An expungement lets you truthfully answer “no” to conviction questions on most job applications.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost?+
We quote flat fees for criminal matters so you know the cost up front, and payment plans are available. Your initial consultation is free.
Let’s discuss your case
Confidential and in your language. Tell us a little about your situation and we will reach out within one business day.