Vista Criminal Defense Attorney & DUI Lawyer

When you are charged with a criminal offense, it can feel like your world has been turned upside down especially if you do not have an experienced Vista criminal defense lawyer to fight for your future. The intimidating nature of the criminal process can impact your emotional and physical health because of the high degree of stress. If you are convicted of a crime, you can be subject to severe penalties that have a detrimental impact on your family relationships, finances, reputation and future.

At our criminal law firm, Vista criminal defense attorney David M. Boertje understands that people do not want to gamble with their future. When clients retain Mr. Boertje, they benefit from his experience, aggressiveness and proven record obtaining dismissals, acquittals and favorable plea bargains. Although our orientation and main priority is always to try to keep clients out of jail and free of the burden of a criminal record, Mr. Boertje is also committed to providing his clients with a frank and candid assessment rather than empty promises and false hope.

It is our belief that the best outcome in a criminal case can be obtained when our clients have a clear understanding of the charges, available defenses, potential outcomes at trial and settlement options. We know that the prospect of navigating the criminal justice system can be confusing and stressful, so we are committed to keeping you informed as we protect your rights and advocate for your innocence.

Some people presume that they have no need for a private Vista criminal defense attorney because they qualify for a public defender. However, many clients that come to us after receiving financial assistance from loved ones indicate that they felt somewhat lost working with the public defender. Even though the public defender may be diligent and competent, court appointed lawyers frequently are forced to undertake a more demanding caseload than a private defense attorney. This high case volume means that the public defender must divide his or her fixed amount of available time and resources among a greater number of defendants.

Mr. Boertje intentionally limits the number of clients he represents at any one time. This approach allows him to provide reasonable updates rather than rushed meetings in the hallways of the courthouse before a hearing. The public defender might also have more limited financial resources to cover items like forensic experts, DNA testing and other forms of scientific testing. When you hire our Vista criminal defense law firm, we understand that we need to provide a cost-effective defense, but we maximize the effectiveness of the litigation resources that are within your budget.

The specific defense strategies we employ will depend on a range of factors that include the nature of the charges, strength of the evidence, past criminal record, mitigating circumstances and a wide range of other considerations. However, some of the defense tactic Mr. Boertje might successfully employ to defend you against misdemeanor or felony charges include:

• Filing motions in limine to prevent introduction of evidence
• Seeking exclusion of evidence obtained illegally such as an unlawful search
• Establishing an alibi defense
• Exposing unreliable eyewitness testimony
• Challenging the sufficiency and reliability of the evidence
• Insanity or diminished capacity
• Lack of required mental state (e.g. intoxication)
• Statute of limitations
• Self-defense
• Exposing contamination or mishandling of physical evidence
• Failure to follow proper procedures in breath, blood or urine blood alcohol (BAC) testing

These are just a few of the defenses that Mr. Boertje can successfully use to defend his clients. The specific defenses that are viable in your case will depend on the facts and charges. However, we understand the importance of protecting our clients from the harsh consequences of a misdemeanor or felony conviction. Depending on the specific offense, a misdemeanor conviction in Vista can result in a jail term of up to one year whereas a felony conviction can result in a lengthy term in state prison, including a life sentence.

In addition to incarceration, other penalties and consequences of a Vista criminal conviction may include:

• Fines, penalty assessments and other financial costs
• Formal or summary probation
• Participation in AA and drug rehabilitation
• Anger management classes and batterer treatment programs
• Driver’s license suspension or revocation
• Sex offender registration
• Criminal record revealed during background checks by employers, landlords and others
• Community service
• Compulsory installation and use of ignition interlock device on vehicles
• Job loss and difficulty in obtaining other employment
• Negative immigration consequences
• Potential denial of credit, loans and/or financial aid
• Forfeiture or temporary suspension of certain constitutional rights

If you are arrested in Vista or the surrounding areas of the San Diego metro area, you should immediately invoke your right to an attorney and abstain from speaking to the police until your Vista criminal defense lawyer is present to represent you. Although California’s jail and state prison system is badly overcrowded, the overcrowding problem would probably not exist if everyone arrested for a misdemeanor or felony took advantage of these critical constitutional protections. Mr. Boertje is prepared to aggressively challenge police procedure and the prosecution’s case to obtain the best possible outcome for our clients.

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Vista, we invite you to contact us to discuss your case. If you call, email or visit us, we can evaluate your case, explain your rights and outline potential defense strategies. Vista criminal defense attorney David M. Boertje can meet with you during normal business hours as well as on weekends or evenings when necessary and our office returns calls 24 hours/7 days per week. Call us today at (760) 476-0901 to arrange a free no obligation confidential consultation. You also can also submit an inquiry by completing the form on our Contact Us page or emailing us.