When you're made out to be the enemy
we protect you
from costly felonies.
When you're made out to be the enemy
we protect you
from costly felonies.

Kersey Law Criminal Defense Attorney in San Diego, California, Educating Clients on Their Rights and Options When Charged With a Crime

Your freedom is one of the most valuable things you have, and at Kersey Law, we put all of our resources and knowledge to work to help defend clients against charges that would threaten that freedom. The legal team at our San Diego law firm is here to help you understand your charges, provide counsel on your defense options, and protect your rights through every step of your case.

Call 619-432-3712 today to speak to one of our team members and schedule your consultation.

How May We Help YOU?
How May We Help YOU?

Get to Know the Team at Kersey Law

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When you work with the legal team at Kersey Law, you get the full knowledge and experience of our entire staff. This includes leading attorney Jamahl C. Kersey, Esq., as well as in-house investigators, paralegals, and other legal professionals who are here to ensure that your case gets the attention it needs.

Our team takes pride in helping our clients through this difficult time in their lives, and we strive to provide you with all of the information you need about your case and legal options. We will give you honest answers to your questions, and we treat each case as if it were our own.

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What Kind of Cases Do We Handle?

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At Kersey Law, our team of criminal defense attorneys can handle just about any case where you are facing criminal charges. We work with those who have been accused to make sure they understand what they’ve been charged with and what that could mean for their futures if they’re convicted. We don’t shy away from major crimes or high-profile cases. For example, the cases we handle include the following:

  • Domestic Violence
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Homicide
  • Sex Crimes
  • Criminal Immigration
  • Drug Crimes

We understand that being charged with a crime can turn your entire world upside down in a few short minutes. It’s important to know that you don’t have to go through this alone and that there is help and support available. Our team is here to represent you in court and help you put forth a strong defense.

Meet Our Legal Team

I’ve Been Charged With a Crime. What’s Next?

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Being arrested and charged with a crime is just the starting point for a criminal defense case. Immediately when the authorities start questioning you — whether that’s before or after the arrest — it’s important to ask for an attorney and refuse to answer questions until one is present. Once you ask for an attorney, the authorities legally have to end all interviews until your attorney is there. Your lawyer will talk to you in private about what’s going on, including the charges themselves and what led to them. They will also provide counsel on whether and how to answer investigators’ questions.

Your attorney will be present at the first hearing – which is the arraignment – where you will enter your plea and find out if you are granted bail. If so, and you are able to pay, you will be released to await trial, and your attorney will continue to work with you in building your defense. If you are not able to bail out, you will be placed into custody.

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Why Choose us?
  • A Knowledgeable Legal Team It takes an entire team of dedicated people working together to give you the best possible chances of winning your case. At Kersey Law, we have lawyers, in-house investigators, and other administrative staff to ensure we can offer our clients the resources and support they need.
  • Confident Representation With more than a decade of criminal defense experience, the attorneys at Kersey Law know the ins and outs of the local court system and are equipped to help you navigate the legal system, from being charged to acquittal. We are prepared to do everything we can to protect your rights every step of the way.
  • Client-First Perspective Being convicted of a crime can change the entire course of your life, and we never take charges lightly or downplay the seriousness of the situation. We ensure that you understand exactly what your charges mean and what the potential penalties are so that you can make educated decisions and be a critical part of your defense.
  • Experienced Trial Attorney While a plea deal is sometimes the right choice, it’s not the only choice. At Kersey Law, our attorneys are ready and willing to go to trial and represent your case to their fullest capabilities. Our experienced trial lawyers know what to look for to poke holes in the prosecution’s argument and are passionate about representing you.
  • Free Case EvaluationAt Kersey Law, we know that criminal charges are unexpected, and hiring an attorney wasn’t on your wish list. That’s why we provide a free initial case evaluation to prospective clients so they can understand how we would approach their case and what to expect from the process.
Free eBook Download

FIGHTING CRIMINAL CHARGES IN CALIFORNIA

A Guide to Aid You in Successfully

Defending Your Criminal Case

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How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help Me?

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Criminal defense attorneys are extremely knowledgeable in this area of law and know what it takes to present a defense strategy that can get charges dismissed, get charges reduced, or even get an acquittal. As soon as you hire a criminal defense lawyer, they will start going over your case, including all the evidence that the prosecution has, to start looking for holes or weak spots in the case that they can use to argue that there is reasonable doubt as to whether you committed a crime.

Exactly how this happens depends on the type of charge because each charge has different requirements that the prosecution must prove to get a conviction. Some strategies include arguing that the search and seizure violated your rights, that the proper chain of custody for evidence was not observed, or that you have an alibi that places you somewhere else when the crime is believed to have occurred.

Call Kersey Law Today to Get Started

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One mistake shouldn’t define your future, and we’re here to make sure it doesn’t. If you’re facing criminal charges in the San Diego area, contact Kersey Law immediately to speak to an experienced defense attorney. Our team will work quickly to get the details on the charges against you to investigate your case and educate you on your legal options. Get the process started by calling our office at 619-432-3712.

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frequently asked questions
Are criminal records permanent?

Your criminal record includes arrests, even if charges were dropped or you were acquitted, and convictions. These records are often available for public online search and view, and your criminal record is almost always part of a background search that may be required for certain jobs. Your criminal record is generally permanent, but it is possible to get a record cleared or sealed in the state of California. Whether this is possible depends on if you were convicted or just arrested and what the infraction was. The best way to determine if your record is eligible for clearing is to speak with a California criminal defense attorney.

How do I get a charge dismissed?

The only way to get criminal charges dismissed or dropped against you is for the prosecution to choose to do so. This generally only happens if they don’t believe that they have enough evidence to secure a conviction, which can happen if the evidence is going to be thrown out for being illegally obtained — such as through illegal search and seizure — or if a key witness doesn’t want to testify. An experienced criminal defense attorney can discuss the details of the case with you, including what evidence the prosecution has and whether they may be likely to drop the charges.

How can I avoid a trial?

To avoid a criminal trial, you will need to plead guilty or the prosecution has to drop the charges against you. Depending on your charges and the evidence the prosecution has, your defense attorney may be able to work out a deal with the prosecution for you to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. While a plea deal isn’t the right option for every case, avoiding a trial can take the uncertainty out of what penalties you may face if convicted and significantly speed up the entire court process.

Can an attorney help me get bail?

At your arraignment, the judge will decide whether to set a bail amount or to order that you be remanded into custody until the trial. Obviously, most people wish to be offered bail so they can avoid jail time while waiting for the case to be heard in court. Having a criminal defense attorney can increase the chances of being offered bail because they can argue that you have a clean record, aren’t a danger to the community, or aren’t a flight risk because of your family or other ties in the area. If you are granted bail, you will still need to pay the full amount to be released. If this is too expensive, you may be able to use a bail bondsman to assist.

What happens if I’m convicted?

If you’re convicted of a crime, you will be sentenced in a separate hearing. Depending on the specific charge, a sentence can range from a fine to jail time and sometimes both. More serious offenses have harsher sentences. If you’re convicted, your attorney will discuss with you the range of potential sentences. At the sentencing hearing, both sides will have the opportunity to argue for what they believe is appropriate before the sentence is determined. If you are sentenced to jail time, you will be taken to the facility immediately after the hearing.

Can I represent myself?

While it’s technically possible to represent yourself in a criminal proceeding, it’s not a good idea. Criminal defense cases often hinge on technicalities, and an attorney has in-depth knowledge of the laws and police procedures that can help make or break your defense. A lawyer can also explain to you the pros and cons of each defense option and be there to appeal a conviction if applicable. If your case goes to trial, having a criminal defense attorney represent you can give you a significant advantage over representing yourself.

Can I appeal a conviction?

Yes, it is possible to appeal a case if you are convicted, but you have to have grounds to appeal. In most cases, you need to be able to argue that there was some miscarriage of justice or that the judge overlooked key evidence or testimony that would have reasonably changed the course of the case if the jury would have been able to hear it. There may be other reasons for appeal, such as a jury member not following orders. In general, it is difficult to overturn a conviction on appeal, and you will need to discuss this possibility with your attorney.

What should I do if I’m arrested?

The most important thing to do when you’re arrested is comply with any orders from the police and refuse to answer any questions without an attorney present. Refusing to comply with orders during the arrest can lead to additional charges, such as resisting, and it can make it harder to be granted bail after you are arraigned. Investigators will also often try to talk to you about the case or get you to admit to things during questioning, and having an attorney present can ensure you don’t offer up more evidence or otherwise incriminate yourself.

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