What Happens After an Arrest in California? - Answered by San Diego Defense Attorney

After being arrested and facing criminal charges in California, there are important things to know and understand regarding the process in order to adequately prepare yourself just in case it happens. You may be in an unknown and unfamiliar situation, and are most likely scared and confused while considering your options and next steps. Knowing that you have a support system and an attorney you can depend on to fight for your best interest is the first step to handling this situation successfully. You may have just been arrested, released on bail or researching on behalf of a loved one who was recently arrested. Regardless of your situation and your current status in relation to the legal process, Attorney Ashby Sorensen is here to support you and offer the strongest defense possible. There are many steps involved in handling a criminal case and he strives to prepare you with the knowledge of what to expect, and the answers you need to successfully combat each step.

Initial Attorney Consultation 

Your initial consultation is vital in retaining the representation your case needs, and offering relevant information so your attorney can adequately understand your matter. Together you will thoroughly discuss the details of your matter and review possible options that support your best interest. Attorney Ashby Sorensen prides himself in being open, honest and trustworthy with his clients to create a relationship that can successfully work towards ideal outcomes.

First Appearance/Arraignment

After you are arrested you will have a first appearance, or arraignment, in front of the judge. At this appearance you will hear the formal charges the prosecution has decided to place against you. It is important to obtain an attorney prior to your first appearance considering measures can often be taken prior to arraignment on your behalf in an effort to lessen your charges. You will also state your plea, whether guilty or not guilty and bail will be discussed in terms of availability and amount, if offered.

Pre-Trial Hearings 

Once a plea has been entered and bail has been set the court will schedule a pre-trial hearing. During this hearing the attorneys will discuss the possibility of settling and what the terms of that agreement are comprised of. This may include terms such as a guilty plea with an offered amount of probation to be served instead of jail time, or something similar. Discussing these possibilities and outcomes with your attorney is critical at this stage in order to negotiate the most feasible and ideal result.

Contact a San Diego Defense Attorney to Defend You After an Arrest

Attorney Ashby Sorensen is a trusted defense attorney will the knowledge and experience to aggressively defend your rights and act in your best interest. Through every step of the legal process after an arrest, he will defend you and your case with the focus it deserves. Call (858) 999-6921 now for your free consultation and protect your rights and freedom today.

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San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney Discusses How to Handle Booking and Bailing After a DUI Arrest

With the holiday season upon us, the amount of DUI checkpoints heavily increases in Southern California, and so do the amount of DUI arrests. If you find yourself being arrested for a DUI, you probably have many questions and concerns regarding the process and what actions you should take. Typically in a DUI scenario, a person is either pulled over on a freeway or street, or at a DUI checkpoint by an officer and is subjected a Breathalyzer test or is asked to take a field sobriety test. Based on those results or an officer’s observations, the officer may arrest the suspect for driving under the influence. A person can be charged with a DUI for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs, or a combination of both. Regardless of the influence, if their judgment is impaired and their ability to drive is hindered, they are likely to be arrested, booked and processed. It is always recommended that you call an attorney you can trust who will quickly and attentively support your defense, however there are some things you need to remember regardless of how you choose to proceed.

Booking Process After a DUI Arrest

The booking process essentially begins as soon as you are arrested. When you arrive at the police station, your fingerprints and personal information will be taken, and any items on your person will be searched and most likely confiscated. Your photograph will be taken and a background check will be performed to review your criminal history and any other relevant information about your past. You will then most likely be held in a jail cell or holding cell alone or with other individuals.

Generally, those people who are brought in and arrested for DUI are released on bail or a term commonly known as “own recognizance.” Once you have been booked you may be given the option to post bail and be released from jail in exchange for monetary payment. There is a caveat to this release in that the suspect must return for their court appearance, which is usually scheduled for a future date soon after the arrest. If the amount of bail is set by the judge at a later time, he or she will set an amount based on the person’s ties to the community, their work or familial obligations, their risk of flight, the severity of the offense and the suspect’s criminal history.

The individual who was arrested, a family member, or a bail bondsmen may post bail for the suspect to secure their release. A bond may also be posted with an agreement to pay the full amount should the suspect not attend their court appearance. On the other hand, if an individual is released on own recognizance, no amount of bail money or bond is owed and the suspect is free to leave. Some restrictions may be imposed such as not being allowed to travel outside of the state for example.

How Contacting a San Diego Defense Attorney Can Help With Your Recent Arrest

Whether you were arrested for the first time or you have a criminal history or record, our office understands the frustrations you are experiencing. We pride ourselves in aggressively protecting our client’s rights, and that often begins at the booking and bailing stage of an arrest. San Diego Defense Attorney Ashby Sorensen is a trusted attorney who knows how to act quickly and in your best interest. Call (858) 999-6921 now for your free consultation and protect your rights today.

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