Santa Barbara Criminal Defense Lawyer

What is pre-file intervention?

A surprising but true fact is that it is possible to intervene before criminal charges are filed so as to stop the process dead in its tracks. If you are being investigated by law enforcement or have been arrested but not formally charged, please contact a Santa Barbara criminal defense attorney at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP to explore your options. We may be able to help you with a pre-file intervention and you could be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Criminal Defense in Santa Barbara

The process leading up to being charged with a crime begins the same, no matter whether you are being arrested for a DUI or for sex crimes, and whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a felony. After arresting you or investigating you for a suspected crime, the police send their reports to the prosecutor's office to determine what, if any charges should be filed. Most often, the prosecutor makes the charging decision based only the police information, and that's where we come in.

Our firm has an extensive criminal defense record of success in our combined experience of over 50 years. We excel at reading the prosecution and how they operate and are proficient at beating them at their own game. In a pre-file situation, we are often able to meet with the prosecutor and present witness statements, our evidence and other information. When the prosecutor sees the entire picture and not just the police reports, the charges against you could be dropped altogether, or in some instances, filed as a misdemeanor rather than as a felony. While we can never guarantee results, if contacted soon enough we can put our experience and skill to work and you may be able to get back to your usual life rather than facing the long and uncertain road ahead.

When you retain our firm, you will have at your side attorneys who also serve Montecito, Isla Vista, UCSB, Goleta, and Carpinteria areas, and have received the highest ratings from Martindale (AV Rated Preeminent), AVVO (10/10) and the Better Business Bureau (A+). We also have memberships and hold offices in prominent professional associations and organizations and with these credentials, are your best chance at pre-file intervention.

When it comes to guarding your rights, contact a Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyer today.