How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Summit Defense only represents individuals charged with or accused of a crime. Our philosophy is simple—it is best to practice in one area of law. We do not specialize in criminal law—it’s all we do. Nearly every day our Bay Area criminal defense attorneys are in courtrooms fighting for client’s freedom, insisting on the presumption of innocence, and taking police and prosecutors to task when they violate your rights.

We’re not interested in divorce or dog bite cases. Our focus gives us a depth of experience and expertise that often means the difference between freedom and jail for our clients. Nothing is more rewarding than keeping an individual out of jail or preserving a person’s reputation and clean record. We will always be exclusively devoted to defending individuals against state and federal criminal charges. We believe that by focusing on criminal defense exclusively, we’re best able to serve our clients. Perhaps that is why many non criminal attorneys often refer their criminal cases to Summit Defense. Select the options below to get in contact with a member of our criminal defense team, or continue reading.

• Oakland Criminal Defense Attorneys
• San Jose Criminal Defense Attorneys
• San Francisco Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pleasanton, CA
• Criminal Defense Attorneys in Redwood City, CA
• Criminal Defense Attorneys in Burlingame, CA
• Criminal Defense Attorneys in San Rafael, CA

Attorneys Working Together

Two heads are better than one. Whether you’re charged with shoplifting or a much more serious felony, it’s critical that everything possible is done on your behalf.  Our Bay Area criminal defense attorneys always work together. We all bring unique backgrounds, education, and local knowledge to the table. Our clients benefit from this team approach every day.

For example, a Summit Defense client facing a fraud investigation in San Jose would be well served by Collin Moore’s extensive labor law expertise, Mr. Andrew’s law enforcement background, and Ryan McHugh’s local knowledge of San Jose courts and prosecutors. By working together, we can be more responsive to our clients who then get the benefit of several lawyers’ experience.

None of us know everything. By working together and sharing successful strategies and knowledge of judges and prosecutors, our clients receive the most thorough and resourceful representation possible.

Checklist of important facts and legal issues

If before your first meeting with your attorney you check off the topics below that are relevant to your case and bring this list to your meeting, you are more likely to relay the important facts to your attorney and learn which issues might be helpful to your defense. The list might also help you remember the facts surrounding your arrest.

Your driving before the stop

__Why do you think the officer pulled you over?
__ Did the officer say why he or she stopped you?
__ Were you cited for any traffic violations?
__ Are there any innocent reasons for the driving behavior that triggered the stop?
__ Do you think the officer saw you leave a bar parking lot?

The traffic stop

__ Where did you stop? Why did you choose that location?
__ What was the lighting like at that time?
__ Did you tell the officer that you had something to drink?
__ How did the officer phrase his request to get out of your car?
__ Did you have any difficulty getting out of your car?
__ Did the officer ever tell you that were free to leave?
__ Did he or she say or do anything you believe was inappropriate?
__ Did you have any passengers?
__ Did anyone witness the stop?

Field sobriety tests

__ Did the officer tell you the field tests were mandatory or threaten you in any way?
__ Did he or she ask you ask you about your health or any disabilities?
__ Did the officer explain or demonstrate the tests?
__ Which tests did you perform?
__ Where did you perform them?

Arrest

__ Was your car searched, and if so, was anything found?
__ At what stage did the officer say you were under arrest?
__ Were you handcuffed?
__ Was a videotape, audiotape, or photo made during the stop?
__ Were you read your Miranda rights?
__ Did you waive your rights, or remain silent?
__ Did you ask for an attorney?

Health at time of arrest

__ Were you dieting when arrested?
__ How much had you slept in the prior two days?
__ Had you taken any medicine recently?
__ Do you have any physical disabilities?
__ Do you have any inner-ear or balance problems?
__ Have you ever suffered a head injury?
__ Do you have GERD, frequent heartburn, or COPD?
__ Do you have diabetes, or any blood or liver disease?
__ Do you have any mental health issues?

Breath test

__ Did you burp or regurgitate during the observation period?
__ How many breath samples did you provide?
__ Did you have any trouble providing a sample?
__ Did the operator interrupt your breathing pattern at any time?
__ Did the operator require you to hold your breath for any length of time before blowing?
__ Were you tested on more than one machine?

Other

__ How many officers were involved in the entire process?
__ Do you know any of their names?
__ Did you post bond?
__ Do you have a prior criminal history, including prior drunk driving arrests?

Local Knowledge—Know Your Opponent

Summit Defense Criminal Attorneys know Bay Area courts, investigators, prosecutors, programs, bail bondmen, expert witnesses….and we are known and respected by the legal community. Our attorneys include a former police officer and three former district attorneys. They have received awards and honors throughout the Bay Area. Our Senior Trial Attorney, James T. Reilly was even honored in the courtroom on the record by a San Jose Superior Court judge. (see James Reilly’s bio).

This local knowledge is more than just a familiarity with a particular court. It means understanding that some strategies may be effective in San Francisco but less so in San Jose or Redwood City. It includes the ability to educate a new prosecutor about a first time offender’s program that might be appropriate for a Summit Defense client. By fighting cases throughout the Bay Area and Northern California, Summit Defense attorneys have the advantage of local knowledge without the limitations of a firm whose experience is limited to one city or county.

Hired By The People Who Know

Nothing speaks more of our standing as criminal defense lawyers than our caliber of clients. We have represented a wide range of people charged with criminal offenses, including police officers, CEOs of companies, other attorneys and prominent members of the community. We are also proud that most of our clients come to us by referrals from other attorneys.

Award Winning Customer Service

Choosing the attorney that will represent you is one of the most important decisions that you will make. When you hire your attorney, you should look for someone who both excels in the courtroom and also carefully listens to your concerns. Academic credentials are important, but so are the abilities to listen to the client’s needs and to be responsive. Summit Defense believes that their clients should expect and demand a law firm that provides superb customer service.

Summit Defense is proud to have been awarded the highest possible rating for customer service by the Better Business Bureau. Summit Defense has received an “A+” for the past 6 years.