Family Law

December 8, 2017
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 |  Family Law

Family Law

Family law matters can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. Sometimes, just knowing that you have a knowledgeable and dedicated advocate on your side can make a world of difference.

I am attorney, and I am committed to helping you through this difficult time. I provide skilled and highly personalized representation for clients in a wide range of family law matters, including:

  • Divorce: I can handle all issues that may arise in your divorce, including property division, child custody, visitation, spousal support and child support. I represent clients in contested and uncontested dissolutions.
  • Child custody and visitation: I represent clients in custody and visitation matters that arise in the context of divorce, paternity and post-divorce matters, including parental relocation disputes, and modifications of custody and visitation.
  • Child support: I assist clients with child support matters in divorce and paternity cases. I also represent clients who are seeking or opposing a child support modification.
  • Modifications and enforcement: I represent clients who are seeking or opposing a modification of custody, visitation or child support. I also assist clients with the enforcement of child support orders and divorce decrees.
  • Domestic violence: I represent clients who are seeking or opposing a domestic violence restraining order.
  • Paternity: I represent unwed parents who have an interest in addressing custody, visitation and child support matters.
  • Adoption: I am pleased to assist families with the adoption process.
  • Other family law matters

Put my experience to work for you. I have been practicing law for more than a decade. As a former prosecutor and insurance defense lawyer, I have extensive trial experience and strong negotiation skills. As a client of my firm, you will have a strong advocate on your side.

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Criminal Defense

November 4, 2017
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 |  Crime & Cases

Criminal Defense

Defense From a Certified Criminal Law Specialist

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you have the right to enlist a criminal defense lawyer to help you avoid jail, fines and all other negative impacts that a conviction could have on your life.

I am not just a criminal defense attorney. I am a certified criminal law specialist by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. This is a hard-earned distinction, ensuring that you will be hiring an attorney who has proven his proficiency in the area of criminal law.

My Approach: From Straightforward to Creative

In many ways, my approach to criminal defense is straightforward. When you come to me, I take the time to educate you about the situation, including the unique details of the charge against you. I will tell you about your options and how I defend criminal cases. We will work together to determine the path to follow, and then we will move forward to get you through this.

Depending on the nature of your case, my approach may have to be less straightforward. The most common path may not be the most appropriate path. I take pride in getting creative, looking for loopholes and coming up with one-of-a-kind strategies to overcome new and unique obstacles that come up along the way.

Before you make your decision about enlisting me, I encourage you to review the 10 questions to ask when hiring a defense attorney.

Defense Against Major Crimes

Criminal Defense

Working out of my office in Lakeport, I serve people in that community, as well as Clearlake and the surrounding parts of Lake and Mendocino counties. My focus is on defending against major crimes and addressing serious criminal matters, including:

  • Drug charges including those related to medical marijuana and meth possession/sales
    Violent crimes involving domestic disputes or the elderly/vulnerable
  • Domestic violence and criminal threats
  • Sex crimes including rape and child pornography
  • Theft crimes such as burglary and robbery
  • Weapons and firearms
  • DUI charges as well as vehicular manslaughter
  • Illegal search and seizure
  • Clearing your record through expungements and sealing records
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Medical Marijuana

September 28, 2017
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 |  Drug Crimes

Medical Marijuana

Defense Against Drug Charges Related to Medical Marijuana

Have you been accused with a drug charge because of your need to use medical marijuana? I can provide defense for people charged under California Health and Safety Codes like:

  • 11357: Possession of marijuana
  • 11358: Cultivation of marijuana
  • 11359: Possession for sale of marijuana
  • 11360: Transportation of marijuana
  • 11379.6: Manufacturing of a controlled substance, such as marijuana hash

Working out of my office in Lakeport, I serve people in that community, as well as Clearlake and the surrounding parts of Lake and Mendocino counties.

How Much is “Too Much” Medical Marijuana?

Police will find what they consider to be a large number of marijuana plants. They will charge the owner of those plants with a crime, saying that it is too much to be for personal medical marijuana use. They don’t understand how much usable marijuana each plant can produce. The truth is that the people who own these plants rarely have as much as they are perceived to have by the police, but that doesn’t stop them from being charged with serious drug crimes.

A similar problem arises even with harvested marijuana. A person may be pulled over by police and found to be in possession of five pounds. The police may consider this amount too much for personal use, and charge the person with possession for sale. In reality, this is simply a matter of perspective. I understand how to defend against these charges, including in cases that involve cooperative and collective medical marijuana growing groups.

Medical Marijuana

Defense Strategies in Medical Marijuana Cases

As a certified criminal law specialist, I know the defenses available to people facing drug charges. I know that trial may be the necessary end to these challenging cases. My trial preparation strategies include enlisting experts, such as medical marijuana expert Chris Conrad, to educate juries about how the drug is used. I build cases on facts.

Of course, not every case needs to go to trial. In many cases, diversion programs are available that can create simple routes through the criminal justice system, routes that do not end with jail or a criminal record. As your lawyer, I will work with you to determine the path that makes the most sense in your case.

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