Criminal Law

Empowered Decision-Making

Criminal law carries consequences that can last a lifetime; who you choose to represent you makes all the difference. What truly sets us apart is the length we go to in order to enable client decision-making. The most common complaint people have about their attorneys is a lack of communication. You have the right to know exactly what is happening with your case and to have access to the same information we do. This means receiving a copy of your discovery so you can make an informed choice about your future.

In every case, we provide a written letter at the outset detailing the charges against you, the legal elements involved, relevant court definitions, and the maximum punishment you face. This should be the industry standard, but sadly, it is not. We provide this in writing because our mantra is simple: If we are not willing to put our advice in writing, we shouldn’t be saying it.

Honesty Over False Promises

Part of enabling our clients is advising them to be smart with their money. No attorney can guarantee a result; anyone who does is either a fool or a liar. You will receive an honest assessment from us regarding what to realistically expect at trial. You will know if we are facing an uphill battle or if we have a genuine story to tell a jury.

Ultimately, you are the only person who can decide how to proceed. If you are choosing between misdemeanor consequences and paying tens of thousands of dollars for a trial, we will respect your choice. If you want to go to trial, we will litigate your case to the end. If you choose to accept an offer to minimize damages, we will support that decision too. Our mission is to ensure that whatever you decide, it is an informed choice.

The Courtroom as a Battlefield

Going to trial is serious business. You are trusting your fate to twelve strangers whose own biases and experiences shape how they view your case. Military service taught me the importance of maintaining the initiative. We never want to be reacting to the other side; we want our opponent reacting to us.

In the courtroom, every word is an arrow aimed at the opposition. You need a strategy articulated long before you step into court. We approach trial with intentionality—meaning we build a plan and stick to it. I draw my strategies from history’s greatest military leaders. If I can utilize the strategic genius of Hannibal or Julius Caesar to out-think an opponent, we are much more likely to succeed than if we were simply "winging it." We advance our theme at every stage, separating true litigators from amateurs.

The Value of Local Counsel

When considering whom to hire, we always recommend local counsel. A local attorney knows the DAs and the judges; we know the procedures and the arguments that actually resonate in San Luis Obispo. Out-of-town lawyers advertise here but are rarely present. When they sign a case in this county, they often call local firms like ours asking for a "courtesy appearance." Our approach is now firm: if an out-of-town attorney advertises in this county, they can show up and handle the case themselves.

Transparency and Peace of Mind

Not every case needs to go to trial—in fact, most don’t. When the DA’s offer is unreasonable, we fight to sway the prosecution or the judge for a better deal. You will fail 100% of the time if you don’t try.

Facing criminal charges is daunting. Our approach is to provide calm, rational information so you can make a decision based on facts, not pressure. We post our prices on our website to remain transparent and offer flat fees so you know exactly what to expect from the start. If our philosophy resonates with you, we look forward to speaking with you.