FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ask for counsel and clearly state that you want to remain silent about the alleged offense. Do not physically resist. Preserve release papers, court dates and any orders. Follow lawful identification requirements; requests to search and questioning raise separate legal issues. Discuss the facts privately with counsel rather than in public messages or ordinary jail calls.

Fees depend on the charges, stage, expected work and scope of representation. Contact RV Litigation Group PC to discuss the matter and proposed engagement terms. We do not quote a universal criminal-defense fee or promise a free consultation.

Misdemeanors and felonies are different classifications with charge-specific penalties. Misdemeanors can involve county jail; felonies may involve state prison or other authorized sentencing arrangements. Fines, probation, enhancements and other consequences vary by statute. Some offenses permit either misdemeanor or felony treatment; there is no single fine or custody limit that describes every case.

Possibly. Dismissal, sealing and other forms of record relief have different eligibility rules and effects. A dismissal under Penal Code section 1203.4 does not erase the record or remove every consequence. The conviction, sentence, later history and reason for seeking relief need review, including any immigration or licensing concern.

At arraignment, the court advises the defendant of the charges and rights, addresses representation and a plea, and may decide release conditions and future dates. Discuss the plea with counsel. A person facing misdemeanor or felony charges who cannot afford a lawyer can request court-appointed representation. The court papers identify the applicable location and schedule.

A DUI can affect both the criminal record and a separate DMV record. Record-cleaning relief does not necessarily erase either or eliminate use of a conviction in later proceedings. The DMV states that DUI convictions are reported for ten years on a noncommercial public driving record; commercial-driver reporting rules differ. Review the actual conviction, dates and licensing status.

During a law-enforcement stop, identification or driving-document duties depend on the circumstances. You can clearly state that you wish to remain silent about an alleged offense and decline consent to a search, but that does not prevent a search independently authorized by law. Do not physically obstruct. Ask counsel to review the stop, questioning and any search based on the actual facts.

Release decisions involve the charges, safety, appearance risk and available conditions. A court considering financial conditions must address ability to pay and less restrictive alternatives under the applicable law; a schedule alone does not decide every case. Cash bail and a commercial bond have different terms. A bond premium is generally earned for the release service, and the written agreement should be reviewed before signing.

A wobbler is an offense for which the law permits felony or misdemeanor treatment. That possibility is statute-specific; it does not apply to every offense within a broad category. The charged subdivision, facts, criminal history and procedural stage affect the available classification or reduction. No reduction is automatic.

Our priority practices are business litigation, business transactions, tax law, and white-collar defense. We also handle broader criminal defense and retained private matters. Our employment representation is for businesses and employers, not employees. We do not handle civil-rights cases.

Before signing, renewing, or ending an important contract, counsel can assess obligations, payment terms, risk allocation, and dispute procedures. Our transaction services include business contracts, ownership and operating agreements, and business purchases and sales.

Bring the agreement, notice, demand, complaint, or subpoena that prompted your inquiry, relevant correspondence, and a short chronology. Identify any stated response date immediately. For tax matters, preserve agency notices, filed returns, and supporting records.

Our tax practice addresses individual and business tax matters, including IRS audits and appeals, California tax disputes, and tax litigation. The appropriate response depends on the agency, tax involved, procedural stage, and deadline stated in the notice.

Yes. Negotiation, mediation, or a negotiated business resolution may address a dispute before trial. Counsel can compare those options with litigation, including the evidence, commercial objectives, cost, and enforceability of a settlement.

Financial investigations can overlap with tax issues. A subpoena, interview request, or indication of a criminal inquiry calls for a coordinated response. We coordinate tax and white-collar defense when a financial investigation raises possible tax offenses.

Yes. Those practices remain available, including the retained lawsuit-defense and small-claims advice and appeal services. Our practice-area directory lists the current offerings. We assess fit and scope before accepting a matter; contacting us does not establish an attorney-client relationship.