San Mateo, California Criminal Defense Attorney

The Law Office of Charles B. Smith

430 Peninsula Avenue, Suite 3 San Mateo, California 94401 USA

 (650) 425-7703 or (866) 560-8433
 (650) 401-6418

www.charlessmithcriminallaw.com
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

The Law Office of Charles B. Smith provides a unique perspective among criminal defense attorneys. Attorney Smith has experience as both a former police officer and a former prosecutor. His understanding of police procedure and the inner workings of the District Attorney's office gives him a tremendous advantage in defending clients.

Our firm combines experience and effectiveness with discreet client service. We have represented a variety of clients ranging from professional athletes, to CEOs of large corporations, to high school and middle school students, working families, to recent immigrants and stay at home parents. We want to stress the importance of having you realize there is hope, you have options, and we work hard to discover creative solutions and defense approaches to the criminal charges against you. We will make sure that we discuss your options, the possible consequences of each, and make sure you really understand those options throughout the legal process.

We handle a broad range of criminal charges, including robbery, assault, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, fraud and white collar crimes like embezzlement. If you are facing criminal charges anywhere in San Mateo County, contact a local firm with strong roots who can offer you the personal attention you need when facing serious legal consequences.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Child Molestation; Sexual Assault; Solicitation of a Minor; Indecent Exposure; Vehicular Manslaughter

Practice Areas Description

Our firm handles cases in areas such as the following:

- Drunk Driving

It is critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a DUI arrest. If you do not request a DMV hearing within 10 days, your license will be automatically suspended for anywhere from several months to four years. Waiting to contact a lawyer could also harm your criminal case. At The Law Office of Charles B. Smith, we help clients fight criminal DUI charges and license suspension. Attorney Charles B. Smith — a San Mateo DUI defense lawyer with more than 30 years of California criminal law experience — personally handles every case our firm accepts.

- Sex Offenses

At The Law Office of Charles B. Smith, we don't judge clients who have been charged with sex crimes or any other crimes. We understand the embarrassment and shame that can result from the filing of sex charges, and we provide compassionate and aggressive representation. San Mateo sex crime defense attorney Charles B. Smith — a former prosecutor and former police officer — has handled hundreds of sex offense cases on both sides of the aisle. His experience and commitment have resulted in success helping clients fight charges such as: Rape; Sexual assault; Prostitution and solicitation; Child molestation; Child pornography offenses; Solicitation of a minor; and, Indecent exposure.

- Violent Crimes

Violent crime attorney Charles B. Smith — a former prosecutor and former police officer — more than 25 years of experience in California's criminal justice system. He has the experience and integrity to defend clients against charges such as the following:

Assault and battery: There are two sides to every assault or battery accusation. If you hire our firm to defend you, Mr. Smith will make sure your side of the story is heard. We will work hard to protect you from serious penalties and a permanent criminal record.
Aggravated assault: If you have been accused of assaulting someone with a deadly weapon or causing serious bodily injury in a battery, you could be facing felony criminal penalties. Our firm will explore all options for helping you avoid these consequences.
Manslaughter: While manslaughter may be a lesser charge compared to murder, it is still a felony that can carry a major prison sentence. If you have been charged with manslaughter, Mr. Smith will make sure you get the best possible defense.
Vehicular manslaughter: If you are accused of causing an auto accident in which someone died, you could be facing the serious consequences of a vehicular manslaughter conviction. We will carefully explore all possible strategies for fighting your charges.
Murder: If you have been accused of murder, felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder or any other homicide offense, we will aggressively protect your rights. Mr. Smith has tried murder cases as a defense lawyer and is a former six-year homicide prosecutor.

- Drug Crimes

If you have been accused of a drug offense, you are facing consequences that may include a jail sentence, large fines, loss of your job, loss of your driving privileges, loss of your professional license and a criminal record. Our firm helps clients with all types of drug charges, including the following:

Drug possession: If you have been charged with possession of marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, Ecstasy or any other illegal drug, we can help.
Drug trafficking and distribution: If you have been accused of selling, transporting, trafficking or distributing illegal drugs, Mr. Smith will aggressively protect your rights.
Prescription drug offenses: Drug charges involving prescription drugs can be as serious as those involving illegal drugs. We will work to help you avoid criminal consequences.
Drug manufacturing and cultivation: Our firm defends the rights of clients who have been accused of producing controlled substances for illegal distribution.

- White Collar Crimes

Our firm has helped clients who have been charged with white collar crimes in the context of both small, family-owned businesses and huge national corporations. We defend those who have been accused of all types of California white collar crimes, including the following:

Embezzlement: If you have been charged with stealing from your workplace or an organization you belong to, Mr. Smith will make sure your side of the story is heard and your case is properly investigated.
Internet crimes: If you have been accused of using the Internet to commit any type of fraud or theft, you could be facing serious consequences. We will protect your rights.
Fraud: Our firm defends clients who have been charged with all types of fraud-related offenses in California, including insurance fraud, mortgage fraud and check fraud.
Forgery and identity theft: Mr. Smith has the experience to aggressively defend clients who have been charged with illegally using someone else's signature or identity.

- Robbery and Theft

Our firm defends clients against all types of theft-related charges, including charges involving allegations of violent theft. The following are a few of the most common charges:

Petty theft and shoplifting: If you or your child has been charged with petty theft, Mr. Smith will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome with the fewest consequences.
Felony theft: Our firm has the experience to aggressively protect the rights of clients who have been accused of grand larceny and other theft-related felony offenses.
Embezzlement: If you have been accused of stealing from your employer, we will carefully investigate your case and ensure that your side of the story is heard.
Burglary: We frequently represent clients who have been accused of breaking into homes and vehicles for the purpose of committing theft and other crimes.
Armed robbery: If you have been charged with robbing someone at gunpoint or with another deadly weapon, we will fight to help you avoid or reduce serious penalties.

- Juvenile Offenses

We have helped hundreds of families navigate the juvenile justice system, and get their children back on track. We understand that, as a parent, you may fear that your child may be taken from you, placed in foster care or in the home of a relative, end up in juvenile hall, or face a lifetime of educational, housing and career related consequences. We help by defending your child the way they deserve -- with compassion, commitment and skill. Regardless of whether your child is facing allegations of: A drug or alcohol offense; Shoplifting; Assault; Delinquency/truancy; A sex crime; Gang-related crimes; Vandalism; and, Graffiti tagging.

- Domestic Violence

At the Law Office of Charles B. Smith, we have helped hundreds of clients over the years facing the criminal, civil and social consequences associated with domestic violence allegations. We know that any accusation, even those that are totally unfounded and made for the purpose of securing an advantage in a divorce, separation or child custody dispute, can cause a significant disruption in the clients life. We aggressively help clients facing these charges because we know how very destructive domestic abuse convictions can be they can prevent you from seeing your children, make you leave your home, make you maintain a perimeter of distance away from your family, send you to jail, cost you your right to carry firearms and vote and, depending on your particular situation, could even cost you your job.

- Weapons Charges

If you have been charged with possessing an illegal weapon, carrying a concealed weapon illegally, or being a felon in possession of a weapon, you need an experienced attorney who is prepared to protect you from serious consequences such as jail time and a criminal record. At The Law Office of Charles B. Smith, we defend clients who have been charged with California weapons offenses. San Mateo weapons charge lawyer Charles B. Smith is a former police officer and former prosecutor with more than 25 years of criminal law experience.

- Resisting Arrest

All too often, the victims of police misconduct end up getting charged with resisting arrest. If you have been accused of this offense, you could be facing a jail sentence, a criminal record and other serious consequences. You need an experienced attorney to make sure the police are held accountable for their actions. At The Law Office of Charles B. Smith, we aggressively defend clients who have been accused of police obstruction. San Mateo resisting arrest defense lawyer Charles B. Smith is a former police officer and former prosecutor, with more than 25 years of criminal law experience.

- Expungement

Expungement attorney Charles B. Smith is a former police officer and former prosecutor with more than 25 years of experience in California's criminal justice system. Our firm can help you explore all of your criminal record options, including the following:

Expungement: Once you have completed your sentence for an offense, it may be possible to get it expunged (permanently removed) from your criminal record.
Record-sealing: Even if you cannot get a conviction formally expunged, it may be possible to get your record sealed so it will not show up on employer background checks.
Reduction: If you have a felony conviction on your record and you are not eligible for expungement, it may be possible to get the conviction reduced to a misdemeanor.

- Three Strikes Law

Under California's three-strikes law, many people who are convicted of multiple felony offenses are considered "habitual offenders," subject to harsher criminal penalties than first-time felony offenders. The following is a basic breakdown of how the system works:

First strike: If you are convicted of a serious or violent felony — including robbery, rape, or a charge with a weapons or gang enhancement — a strike will be put on your record, and you will have to serve a higher percentage of your sentence.
Second strike: If you already have one strike on your record, a new felony conviction will carry a double prison sentence, and you will be ineligible for probation.
Third strike: If you have two strikes on your record and you are convicted of any felony — even a relatively minor felony — you could be facing 25 years to life in prison.

Attorneys

Mr. Charles B. Smith Attorney Criminal Law

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