Criminal Defense:
Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of
a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
Civil cases, on the other hand, involve individuals and
organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes. In a
criminal case the state, through a prosecutor, files
charges against an individual, while in a civil case, the
victim brings the suit. Persons convicted of a crime may
be incarcerated, fined, or both. However, persons found
liable in a civil case may only have to give up property or
pay money, but are not incarcerated. A "crime" is any
act or omission (of an act) in violation of a public law
forbidding or commanding it. Though there are some
common law crimes, most crimes in the United States
are established by local, state, and federal
governments. Criminal laws vary significantly from state
to state.
Crimes include both felonies (more serious offenses -
like murder or rape) and misdemeanors (less serious
offenses - like petty theft or disorderly conduct).
Felonies are usually crimes punishable by imprisonment
in the State Prison for a year or more, while
misdemeanors are crimes punishable by imprisonment
in the County Jail for a year or less. However, no act is a
crime if it has not been previously established as such
either by statute or common law.
All statutes describing criminal behavior can be broken
down into their various elements. Most crimes (with the
exception of strict-liability crimes) consist of two
elements: an act, or "actus reus," and a mental state, or
"mens rea." Prosecutors have to prove each and every
element of the crime to yield a conviction. Furthermore,
the prosecutor must persuade the jury or judge "beyond
a reasonable doubt" of every fact necessary to
constitute the crime charged. In civil cases, the plaintiff
needs to show a defendant is liable only by a
"preponderance of the evidence," or more than 50%.
Williamson & Krauss is committed to protecting the
freedom, liberty, and rights of our clients by providing
the utmost professional, aggressive, and effective
defense.
Our firm has defended clients in various types of cases
such as those listed below:
DUI & DWI
Aggravated Assault
Drug Cases
Entrapment
Theft & Property Crimes
Kidnapping
Expungment of Prior Criminal Records
White Collar Crime
Armed Robbery
Forgery/Fraud
Probation Violations
We represent clients throughout California including all
state and federal courts as well as in the Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals.
Our experienced, dedicated, and aggressive staff work
as a team on each case, and we coordinate services,
when appropriate, with qualified private investigators,
forensic experts, psychologists and other professionals
in the criminal justice system.
We also represent clients who are incarcerated in civil
rights matters involving excessive force, prisoner abuse,
denial of medical or mental health care and other
constitutional rights.
Our firm takes great pride in personalized service and
we make extra effort to explain all legal matters in terms
that are understood by lay persons untrained in the law.
If you, a friend or relative has been charged with a
crime, call us immediately at (818) 226-5700 or contact
us online for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of
a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
Civil cases, on the other hand, involve individuals and
organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes. In a
criminal case the state, through a prosecutor, files
charges against an individual, while in a civil case, the
victim brings the suit. Persons convicted of a crime may
be incarcerated, fined, or both. However, persons found
liable in a civil case may only have to give up property or
pay money, but are not incarcerated. A "crime" is any
act or omission (of an act) in violation of a public law
forbidding or commanding it. Though there are some
common law crimes, most crimes in the United States
are established by local, state, and federal
governments. Criminal laws vary significantly from state
to state.
Crimes include both felonies (more serious offenses -
like murder or rape) and misdemeanors (less serious
offenses - like petty theft or disorderly conduct).
Felonies are usually crimes punishable by imprisonment
in the State Prison for a year or more, while
misdemeanors are crimes punishable by imprisonment
in the County Jail for a year or less. However, no act is a
crime if it has not been previously established as such
either by statute or common law.
All statutes describing criminal behavior can be broken
down into their various elements. Most crimes (with the
exception of strict-liability crimes) consist of two
elements: an act, or "actus reus," and a mental state, or
"mens rea." Prosecutors have to prove each and every
element of the crime to yield a conviction. Furthermore,
the prosecutor must persuade the jury or judge "beyond
a reasonable doubt" of every fact necessary to
constitute the crime charged. In civil cases, the plaintiff
needs to show a defendant is liable only by a
"preponderance of the evidence," or more than 50%.
Williamson & Krauss is committed to protecting the
freedom, liberty, and rights of our clients by providing
the utmost professional, aggressive, and effective
defense.
Our firm has defended clients in various types of cases
such as those listed below:
DUI & DWI
Aggravated Assault
Drug Cases
Entrapment
Theft & Property Crimes
Kidnapping
Expungment of Prior Criminal Records
White Collar Crime
Armed Robbery
Forgery/Fraud
Probation Violations
We represent clients throughout California including all
state and federal courts as well as in the Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals.
Our experienced, dedicated, and aggressive staff work
as a team on each case, and we coordinate services,
when appropriate, with qualified private investigators,
forensic experts, psychologists and other professionals
in the criminal justice system.
We also represent clients who are incarcerated in civil
rights matters involving excessive force, prisoner abuse,
denial of medical or mental health care and other
constitutional rights.
Our firm takes great pride in personalized service and
we make extra effort to explain all legal matters in terms
that are understood by lay persons untrained in the law.
If you, a friend or relative has been charged with a
crime, call us immediately at (818) 226-5700 or contact
us online for a FREE CONSULTATION.
| Call for a FREE Consultation |
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| Williamson & Krauss Tel: (818) 226-5700 |