We fight to keep you out of jail.
Have you been accused of a crime? Are you worried about going to jail? Paralyzed with fear? Let us carefully help you decide what to do next.
The Law Offices of Steers & Associates will present a forceful defense of your rights. Here are several steps we take in order to insure our clients the best possible defense:
- We always thoroughly prepare and investigate the facts and circumstances of your case while working to discredit the prosecution’s evidence.
- We are also aware of the cross-over between federal immigration laws and the consequences of a criminal conviction.
We always work with you:
- Your first consultation is free.
- We accept all major credit cards. Payment plans are available depending on your situation. Our fees are reasonable and competitive.
- We are responsive to your questions and concerns at all times.
We defend against all types of misdemeanor and felony charges such as:
- Drunk driving (including DMV hearings)
- Drug offenses (possession for sale, under the influence)
- Theft crimes (shoplifting, receiving stolen property, grand theft)
- Prostitution
- Burglary
- Bail/OR Release
- White collar crimes (embezzlement, forged checks, bad checks)
- Violent and major felonies (murder, kidnapping, robbery)
- Guns and weapons cases
- Assault and battery
- Expungements (we help make your prior conviction(s) go away)
Our Recent Results
- Charge: felony assault with a deadly weapon: Our investigative work led to the case being dismissed.
- Charge: DUI reckless driving: Negotiated down to a traffic citation.
- Charge: malicious mischief: Negotiated down to 10 days of Cal-Trans work with one year of probation, no jail.
Questions and Answers
Q. What do I do if I just got arrested?
A. Make sure you do not speak to anyone about your case other than your attorney. You have the constitutional right to remain silent and anything you say can and may be used against you in court. You also have the right to ask for your attorney to be present if you are being questioned by the police.
Q. Can I post bail to get out of jail and how does it work?
A. Bail is set in order to insure that the defendant appears in court. You can pay the full amount of bail with the court, which will then be refunded at the conclusion of your case. More commonly, a bail bonds company is used where the accused has to pay only 10% of the bail set and may have to put down a collateral such as a property title or an auto title to secure the balance of the bond. This 10% fee is non-refundable but the collateral won’t be taken so long as the defendant appears in court as promised. Courts sometimes release a defendant on O.R. (Own Recognizance) which means that no bail has to be posted. This is usually because the defendant is considered to be a low flight risk or the charged offense is not considered to be too serious.
Q. Should I represent myself?
A. You have the right to represent yourself but it is not recommended. The prosecution will have extensive knowledge of the rules of evidence and criminal procedure which you wouldn’t be aware of normally. Don’t go into a fight with one hand tied behind your back.
Q. Should I go with the Public Defender (P.D.)?
A. Representation by the Public Defender may be suitable for some defendants but is not usually the best option. For one thing, you must have sufficiently low income to qualify and you may still have to reimburse some of the costs in defending your case at the conclusion of the case. More importantly, each public defender has an extremely high volume of cases that he or she is dealing with at any given time. This means less personal attention to your case. At the Law Offices of Steers & Associates, you can be certain that you won’t be just another number.
Q. Is it a good idea to plea bargain, i.e. “make a deal”?
A. Depending on the facts of your case, it may be an option to plead guilty or no contest in exchange for receiving a lighter sentence or dismissal or reduction of some or all of the charges filed against you. Plea bargaining is a good option when it appears that a substantially stiffer sentence would likely be imposed in the event of conviction and there are few or no defenses.
Q. Should I go to trial?
A. Again, this depends on the facts and circumstances of your case. If you want to fight the charges and there appears to be “reasonable doubt” of your guilt, taking the case to trial may be the best option. The Law Offices of Steers & Associates has extensive trial experience and works with you to determine your best course of action.
Q. Could I be deported if I am convicted of a criminal offense?
A. Yes. If you are not a U.S. citizen, the immigration consequences of a criminal conviction or a guilty plea may be severe. A felony conviction, depending on its degree, may result in deportation with a denial of re-entry for a certain period of time. A misdemeanor conviction can also result in immigration problems depending on the type of crime and whether you have previously been convicted. The Law Offices of Steers & Associates has extensive experience in immigration law and is aware of the cross-over between your criminal defense and the possible immigration issues that may arise.
Q. I was convicted years ago. Can this be removed from my record?
A. Yes. An expungement results in a crime being removed from your record. There are certain conditions and exceptions, however. For example, an expunged crime can still be considered for sentencing purposes if you are convicted of a new crime and certain types of crimes may not be expungable. Contact us today if you are interested in obtaining an expungement to clear a past crime from your record.
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