Category:

What Do I Do If My Lawyer Does Not Communicate with Me?

May 10th, 2025 by
Good communication with your lawyer is critical. It keeps you informed and gives you confidence during the legal process. But what if your lawyer stops answering your calls or gives vague replies? This can cause stress, confusion, and serious problems for your case if not handled quickly. Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers helps clients understand their [...]

Can I Change My Lawyer? What About a Public Defender?

May 9th, 2025 by
Can I change my lawyer? What about a public defender? Yes, you can change your legal representation during your criminal case. The law allows defendants to switch lawyers, but you need to follow the right steps. Timing matters and the process differs depending on whether you have a private attorney or a public defender. At [...]

Do I Need a Lawyer Even If the Prosecution Offers a Standard Plea Bargain?

May 8th, 2025 by
Do I need a lawyer even if the prosecution offers a standard plea bargain? Many people ask this after being charged with a crime. The prosecutor might offer what seems like a simple plea deal. They want you to plead guilty to a lesser crime to avoid a trial. But should you sign this deal [...]

Can I see the criminal record of someone else?

May 7th, 2025 by
At Summit Defense Criminal Attorneys, our team often helps clients who ask, "Can I see the criminal record of someone else?" This question comes up when you need to check if someone has a criminal background for jobs, housing, or safety reasons. Criminal records are often public, but there are rules about who can see [...]

When Do I Need a Lawyer for a Criminal Case?

May 7th, 2025 by
When do I need a lawyer for a criminal case? If you've been arrested or charged with a crime, you need a lawyer right away. The first few hours after facing criminal charges can greatly affect your case's outcome. Quick legal help might be the difference between jail time and freedom. At Summit Defense, we [...]

Do Juvenile Defendants Have a Right to a Trial by Jury?

May 6th, 2025 by
The simple answer is no. In most states, including California, juveniles don't have the right to a jury trial in juvenile court proceedings. The Supreme Court ruled that jury trials aren't required in juvenile delinquency proceedings. At Summit Defense Criminal Attorneys, we help families understand these complex legal issues. We're Northern California's largest exclusively criminal [...]

What is the exclusionary rule?

April 14th, 2025 by
At Summit Defense, our criminal defense attorneys know that the exclusionary rule protects your Constitutional rights when facing criminal charges. This legal rule stops police officers from using evidence they got through illegal searches. When a law enforcement official breaks the law while gathering evidence, courts can order the evidence inadmissible, preventing its use against [...]

Can the police search a car that has been towed?

April 13th, 2025 by
Police searches of vehicles are common in criminal cases. But many people don’t know their rights when a car gets towed or impounded. A big question we often hear is: Can police officers search a towed vehicle without a warrant? This question involves your constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment. Police may claim a legal basis for searching a car [...]

Can tangible evidence be admitted if it was discovered because of a Miranda violation?

April 13th, 2025 by
If the police arrest you and ask questions without reading your Miranda Rights, anything you say might be tossed out. But what if that statement leads to a gun, drugs, or other tangible evidence? Can that still be used in court? The answer isn’t simple. Courts often treat statements and physical evidence differently. While a statement may be excluded after a Miranda violation, [...]

Do the Police Need to Use Specific Words in Reading the Miranda Warnings?

April 12th, 2025 by
Police often read people their Miranda Rights during an arrest. But many wonder: do the words need to be exact? What if the police officer says it a little differently? Can a mistake make the whole case fall apart? These are common questions during a police interaction. You may have seen or heard the warnings before, but small differences can [...]