Juveniles
Attorneys represent minors accused of criminal conduct; from their first appearance in court through the disposition of the case and during the periods of probation or other rehabilitative programming. The attorney is the minor’s advocate throughout all stages of the proceedings.
Felonies
Veteran trial attorneys handle all felony cases for indigent clients. Generally, representation begins at the arraignment and continues through the trial or sentencing. Occasionally, the Office of the Public Defender represents a person who has not been charged but is suspected of committing a crime. At sentencing, Public Defenders may recommend, to the judge, rehabilitation plans, such as drug or alcohol programs, as an alternative to incarceration.
Misdemeanors
Attorneys represent persons charged in Ventura County of all types of misdemeanors. As with felonies, representation begins at the arraignment and continues through trial or sentencing.
Specialty Courts
Public Defenders appear in courts designated to handle specific types of clients or charges. Examples of these are adult veteran’s court and juvenile drug court, domestic violence court, homeless court, and mentally ill offender court. Public Defenders seek to balance the need for treatment with protection of the Constitutional rights of clients in these courts
PARALEGAL SERVICES
Paralegals help the public and clients to understand and navigate the criminal justice system. They assist attorneys with case preparation and jail inmates and other clients with issues such as credits, emergency releases, problems in completing probation and stays of sentence. Paralegals assist persons attempting to clear their criminal records through expungements and sealings.
investigations
MENTAL HEALTH
Writs and appeals
Attorneys represent persons charged in Ventura County of all types of misdemeanors. As with felonies, representation begins at the arraignment and continues through trial or sentencing.
