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Oceanside Criminal Defense Attorney

Oceanside, California is the third largest city in San Diego County and home to more than 175,000 people. Oceanside has a crime index of 19, which means that the city is only safer than 19% of other communities in the country. The chances of being a victim of a crime in Oceanside is 1 in 33. In 2015, 708 violent crimes and 2,662 property crimes were reported in Oceanside. The most commonly reported violent crimes included murder (9), rape (68), robbery (217), and assault (414). The most commonly reported property crimes included burglary (594), theft (3,596), and motor vehicle theft (472). Police are well aware of Oceanside’s crime rate and have ramped up efforts to patrol the area. If you have been arrested and/or charged with a crime in Oceanside ZIP Codes 92049, 92051, 92052, 92054, 92056, 92057, and 92058 you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Defending Clients in Oceanside, California

Over the past 19 years, Oceanside criminal defense attorney Vikas Bajaj has defended thousands of Southern California clients against criminal charges. Mr. Bajaj has established himself as one of the greater San Diego area’s most prominent and successful criminal defense attorneys.

No case is too minor for Mr. Bajaj. He has successfully defended clients who have faced charges for violent crimes, sex crimes, drug crimes, theft crimes, white collar crimes, and more. As a well-respected attorney, Mr. Bajaj has had the opportunity to foster positive relationships with prosecuting attorneys at every level. These relationships allow Mr. Bajaj to offer unparalleled legal representation to the clients he represents. His passion, work ethic, and track record of success in the courtroom make him an excellent advocate for those facing criminal charges in Oceanside. Contact his office today to schedule an initial consultation and to learn about your legal rights.

Why Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

handcuffed man

If you have been arrested for and/or charged with a crime in Oceanside it is in your best interest to contact an attorney, even if you do not believe the charges are serious. Prosecutors will fight to win every case they are assigned. This can mean taking advantage of your state of mind after an arrest, nervousness, and lack of legal expertise.

If you do not hire an attorney to defend you, the detectives and prosecuting attorney may attempt to elicit a false confession, stretch the truth about the evidence they have against you, or use false information to pressure you into accepting a plea bargain. A conviction or plea agreement will result in a permanent criminal record that can seriously affect your life – now and in the future. If the state hires professionals to try your case, doesn’t it make sense to hire a professional to defend you?

When you hire a criminal defense attorney you are no longer the underdog. You are now on a level playing field and will not be a victim of prosecutorial tactics. An experienced Oceanside criminal defense attorney will be able to ensure that your Constitutional rights are respected and that you receive fair and impartial hearings. Your right to a defense is a cornerstone of our nation’s identity. If you have been arrested for and/or charged with an Oceanside crime contact the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj for an initial consultation.We will fight to ensure that baseless charges against you are dropped and that you are given every opportunity to which you are legally entitled.

Investigating Your Alleged Crime in Oceanside

If you have been arrested for a crime in Oceanside it does not necessarily mean that you will be charged and/or convicted. Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you can go help to ensure that (1) you are not charged with a crime for which the state lacks evidence, and (2) you are not convicted of a crime you did not commit. An independent investigation – separate from the one conducted by the police and prosecution – is a key to a successful defense.

When you do face criminal charges, the prosecution must establish a case against you that proves that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It is your defense attorney’s responsibility to make the prosecutor’s job very difficult. An experienced criminal defense attorney will defend you by (1) fighting to limit the evidence that may be used against you and (2) offering evidence and information that weakens the prosecution’s case. As a successful Oceanside criminal defense attorney, Vikas Bajaj understands the importance of an independent investigation in this process. In his investigation, we may:

  • Review police reports, police statements, witness statements, medical evaluations, and/or photographs;
  • Consult with appropriate expert witnesses including forensic experts, ballistic experts, medical professionals, crime scene recreationists, and mental health professionals;
  • Submit evidence for independent analysis;
  • Find and interview potential witnesses;
  • Find and interview other potential suspects; and
  • Research other similar cases.

Through this investigation, our skilled criminal defense attorneys will attempt to uncover information that helps to prove your innocence and/or cast doubt on your actual guilt. In some cases, pointing to an entirely different suspect or creating alternative scenarios can help to limit the prosecution’s ability to build a persuasive case. It is incredibly important to call an attorney as soon as you can after you are arrested. The police and prosecution will not waste any time in beginning to build a case against you. The sooner your criminal defense attorney can get started on building your defense, the better your chances of success.

Defenses to Criminal Charges

When you meet with an Oceanside criminal defense attorney from the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj to discuss your case, they will ask you a series of questions about the incident that led to your arrest. These questions are designed to (1) paint a picture of your case, and (2) determine if your Constitutional rights may have been violated. If it appears as though your Constitutional rights were violated, we will fight to have any evidence that was gathered as a result of that violation excluded from your case.

Your explanation of the incident that led to your arrest and the independent investigation conducted by your attorney will assist him in determining if any legal defenses may be appropriate. Asserting certain legal defenses can be helpful in getting the charges against you either dropped or reduced. Legal defenses to criminal offenses in California include:

  1. Lack of required intent;
  2. Lack of required motive;
  3. Self defense of yourself or another person;
  4. Mistake of fact;
  5. Mistaken identity;
  6. Force, duress, or threat; and
  7. Intoxication.

Experienced Oceanside Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of, arrested for, and/or charged with a crime in Oceanside, call the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj today. Mr. Bajaj is a well-respected and successful attorney serving ZIP Codes 92049, 92051, 92052, 92054, 92056, 92057, and 92058 and has defended thousands of clients over the past 15 years. He has experience handling every type of criminal case and will fiercely defend you against the charges you face.

A criminal record can have serious criminal and non-criminal consequences, so it is important to fight back and assert a powerful defense. The Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC can help you do just that. Do not hesitate to call to schedule your initial consultation. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin to build a defense to minimize the penalties you may face.