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Escondido Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges in Escondido it is important that you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. Hiring an attorney will increase your chances of achieving a positive outcome in your criminal case. The prosecution handling your case will get to work on building a case against you immediately. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner we can begin to fight the criminal charges you are up against.

At the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC, our attorneys have nearly two decades of experience handling a variety of complex legal matters. We know that your future is on the line when you face criminal charges and can help you minimize the consequences of your arrest. We firmly believe that early intervention is essential to limiting the damage caused by your arrest. Our pre-investigation process allows us to negotiate with prosecutors before they have an opportunity to build a case against you. In many cases, we have successfully convinced the prosecution to reduce the charges filed against our clients or to dismiss the case altogether. Contact our San Diego office today to learn about how we may be able to help you, too.

Crime in Escondido

Escondido is not the safest community in San Diego or California. According to FBI statistics, the city has a crime index of 25. This means that it is only safer than 25% of all cities in the United States. When Escondido is compared with other cities in California, its crime rate is actually higher than 63% of all other cities in the state.

In fact, the chances of becoming the victim of a property or violent crime in Escondido is about 1 in 38. In 2015, there were 3,982 reported property and violent crimes in Escondido. Property crimes were much more common and accounted for approximately 86% of all offenses. Defendants arrested for property crimes in Escondido have been charged with grand theft auto, arson, theft, and burglary. Violent crimes, while less common in Escondido, are much more severe. Defendants arrested for violent crimes in Escondido have been charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and rape.

If you have been arrested for a violent crime or property crime in Escondido contact criminal defense attorney Vikas Bajaj. Mr. Bajaj is a skilled and experienced lawyer who knows how to get the best result in your case. He can help to limit the negative consequences of your Escondido arrest.

Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Escondido

If you choose to proceed without an attorney your chances of being convicted of a crime are significantly greater. It is important to understand what can happen if you are convicted of a crime in Escondido.

Arrested with handcuffs

Criminal Penalties

When you plead guilty to a crime or are convicted by a judge or jury you will be sentenced to criminal punishment. Your specific criminal sentence will depend on the severity of your crime, the injuries sustained by your victim(s), and your prior criminal history. Potential criminal penalties include:

  • Jail time in a San Diego County detention facility;
  • Imprisonment in a California state penitentiary;
  • Tens of thousands of dollars in fines;
  • Restitution to your victim(s);
  • Probation;
  • Mandatory counseling, and more.

Collateral Consequences

Once you have fully satisfied your criminal punishments you may think that your debt to society has been paid. In reality, you will likely face many collateral consequences just for being convicted of a crime. A collateral consequence is a penalty, sanction, or repercussion your face because you have a criminal record. These consequences can be formally imposed by civil regulations or due to social stigmas. In any event, these collateral consequences will make it extremely difficult to live a normal life. Collateral consequences of a criminal conviction include:

  • Loss of gun ownership rights;
  • Revocation of professional licenses;
  • Suspension or loss of child custody and/or visitation rights;
  • Inability to find meaningful employment;
  • Difficulty renting an apartment or buying a home;
  • Difficulty enrolling in college or educational programs;
  • Inability to participate in government welfare programs, and more.

What Will My Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

The Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC has developed a process that is designed to achieve the best possible results for our clients. This process involves investigating, researching, strategizing, and advocating on our client’s behalf.

Consultation

During our initial consultation, we will ask you to explain the events that led to your arrest. We will use this information to determine the best way to approach your case. We encourage you to be as forthcoming and honest as possible during this consultation. The more information we have to work with, the better we can defend you against the criminal charges you face.

Investigation

The information we gather during the preliminary consultation will help us to conduct a thorough investigation into your alleged crime. During this investigation, we will search for evidence that weakens the prosecution’s argument and strengthens our own case. This investigation may include:

  • Interviewing witnesses;
  • Confirming and/or developing alibis;
  • Reviewing crime scene reports, photographs, and medical evaluations;
  • Consulting with forensic experts;
  • Analyzing evidence; and more.

Research

Legal research will be essential to a successful argument in your criminal case. We will scour relevant case law and California criminal laws to help us develop a persuasive legal argument. Researching past cases will allow us to learn about:

  • Defense strategies that have been successful (and unsuccessful);
  • How prosecutors have framed similar arguments; and
  • How judges and juries have decided in similar situations.

We will learn about how we can distinguish your case from those that have been unsuccessful. At the same time, we will be able to understand how to compare your situation to those cases that have been successful.

Negotiation

Most criminal cases will not go to trial. Prosecutors have an extremely heavy caseload and are required to prove that each defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This requires a lot of time and resources that may not be available. As a result, prosecutors may be eager to reach a plea agreement with defendants. We will combine the results of our investigation and research to develop a custom legal strategy for your defense. Using this argument, we will negotiate with the prosecution to achieve a positive outcome in your case. In the past, we have been successful in securing a reduction or dismissal of charges in our client’s criminal proceedings.

Trial By Jury

In the event that we are not satisfied with a plea offer, we will try your case before an impartial jury. Vikas Bajaj is a skilled criminal attorney who thrives in the courtroom. He connects with the jury by making passionate and logical arguments on his clients’ behalf. Prosecutors know that he is a threat in the courtroom and will be eager to negotiate before the case goes to court.

Defenses to Criminal Charges in Escondido

If you have been arrested in Escondido it does not automatically mean that your life will be turned upside down. Prosecutors must prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and this can be difficult in many cases. Our attorneys will aggressively argue any legal defense that may help your case. Defenses to criminal charges in Escondido include:

  • Self-defense or defense of another;
  • Force or coercion;
  • Lack of intent;
  • Lack of knowledge;
  • Unlawful search and seizure; and
  • Unlawful arrest.

Escondido Criminal Defense Practice Areas

Our skilled Escondido criminal defense attorneys have experience and success in handling a wide variety of complex criminal matters. We have successfully represented clients who have been charged with charges including:

Contact our Escondido office today for a full list of our practice areas.

Professional Athletes & High Profile Criminal Cases

A lawyer representing sports professionals and high-profile celebrities requires a special skill set, experience, and knowledge to represent their criminal case in court. Celebrity client especially sports players residing in Escondido or any other San Diego area are well-known faces and are always in the media spotlight. Now if they get arrested for criminal charges, it would have negative implications on their professional and personal life.

The professional athletes would have to face far-reaching consequences with the negative publicity after the arrest. Hiring a lawyer having expertise in professional athletes and high-profile criminal cases in Escondido would be a better way. The criminal proceeding would not be the same as any other criminal case so discussing the details with the best criminal defense lawyer and taking their support becomes essential. The hired criminal defense attorney in a high-profile case would make sure that the client’s public image is protected while he faces the media. Contact the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj for their commitment and excellence in criminal defense.

Experienced Escondido Criminal Defense Lawyers

Have you or someone you love been arrested for a crime in Escondido? If so, do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC today for an initial consultation. We know that the time following an arrest can be stressful and that you may not know where to begin to defend yourself. We can help to significantly reduce the negative consequences of your arrest. During your intial consultation, we will explain the potential penalties you face and why it is important to hire an attorney.

The decisions you make today will determine how your future unfolds. Make the choice to take initiative and fight the criminal charges you are up against in Escondido. Vikas Bajaj has nearly two decades of legal experience and can help you navigate your way to a brighter future. The prosecution will begin to build its case against you immediately, so do not hesitate to call us today.