Charged With A Misdemeanor In Concord, California? Get A Defense Attorney Who Will Help You Turn Your Life Around

Misdemeanors are not minor offenses; they are still serious crimes. They also cover a broad variety of criminal behaviors and circumstances.  In Concord, there are many different misdemeanors you could end up facing charges for, all of which defense attorney Derek Ewin has handled as either a prosecutor or as a defense attorney, or both. These can include:

• Serious driving infractions like
  • Reckless Driving,
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for Drunk Driving,
  • Hit and Run Accidents,
  • Vehicular Manslaughter,
  • Driving on a Suspended License,

• Many forms of stealing or theft, such as
  • Petty Theft,
  • Grand Theft,
  • Commercial Burglary,
• Other misdemeanors can be committed while interacting with law enforcement or being arrested, like
  • Evading a Peace Officer,
  • Resisting Arrest,
• Some misdemeanor charges come from being caught with the wrong substances or objects on you, such as
  • Possession of a Loaded/Concealed Firearm
  • Violation of a Restraining Order
  • Possession of Certain Controlled Substances
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Possession of a Prescription Medication without a Prescription
• Domestic Violence is often charged as a misdemeanor crime.
• Even just being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance or Drunk in Public can be enough to get you charged with a misdemeanor in many parts of California, including sometimes in Concord.

Some of these cases are also what defense lawyers call “wobblers,” which means that (virtually) the same set of circumstances and evidence could be charged as a misdemeanor crime, or as a felony crime, which come with even greater penalties and consequences. For example, vehicular manslaughter is at the prosecutors’ discretion to charge as a felony or misdemeanor based on the circumstances and the type of negligence they deem was involved.

No matter the misdemeanor, you could be facing potential jail time if you are convicted, when you will almost certainly also have to pay a fine, and deal with a black mark on your record and reputation that can follow you throughout the rest of your education, life, and career. To avoid that, you need an excellent defense attorney, which is where Concord’s Derek Ewin comes into the picture.

How Can Defense Attorney Derek Ewin Help You Beat That Misdemeanor Charge?

Before taking up their defense, attorney Derek Ewin spent decades prosecuting Californians, including countless misdemeanor charges. Nearly eleven of those years were spent as Deputy District Attorney in Contra Costa County, so he has extensive familiarity with Concord law enforcement practices, and the local judges, prosecutors and staff. But it is as a defense attorney that he feels he has been able to make the most difference in individuals' lives, including countless Bay Area Californians just like you, facing misdemeanor charges.

By Making Sure You Don’t Fall On The Wrong Side Of Those “Wobbler” Charges

Remember those crimes that can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies? If he believes in you and takes up your defense, attorney Derek Ewin will use the full weight of his reputation and extensive knowledge of the law to see that you do not end up facing a felony charge when you do not have to.

This alone could make the difference between years in prison or a few months' probation and a fine, which will have a far smaller impact on the course of your life than the prison sentence. He takes a similar approach to every charge, however, not just the wobblers, always looking for the least harmful charge, like reducing a drunk driving DUI to a wet reckless charge.

By Negotiating Fiercely With Prosecutors

Making sure you face the least damning charge is just the first step in the kind of defense that Derek Ewin will mount for you as your lawyer. He will also fight diligently and argue stubbornly for any outcome that reduces the consequences of your arrest.

This is often done at the negotiation table with prosecutors, which Derek Ewin understands from both perspectives as a former prosecutor. He knows what they want, cares about what you want, and often finds the right path to achieve both. His negotiation skills could get your charges reduced or dropped, limit the possible consequences during sentencing, or even get you off the hook entirely, especially if he is brought in early in the process.

If he can get to the District Attorney before the charges are formally filed, Derek Ewin can often secure an even more favorable outcome, but only if you call him in time!

By Pursuing Alternative Sentencing Or Diversion Options

As part of that negotiation with the prosecution, or even with the judge, Concord defense attorney Derek Ewin will often push for and secure alternative sentencing options, even in the case of a conviction. These alternatives mean facing less severe penalties, such as trading jail time for probation. In some cases, community service and classes could replace a conviction entirely and even get it expunged.

If there is one upside to being charged with a misdemeanor, it is that California Law allows many of them to be “diverted”. This particular form of alternative sentencing is often available to many first-time misdemeanor offenses, especially for younger folks. It involves putting you on a form of probation and requiring other commitments, such as attending drug rehabilitation or awareness classes, and will result in a clear record, even the expungement of the arrest, if you follow through on your obligations.

This is the ultimate gift: a fresh start with no criminal record to weigh you down throughout your education or block your career. Defense lawyer Derek Ewin is the man to help you get it.

The Law Office of Derek R. Ewin | Beat The Misdemeanor Charge And Get Your Life Back

No matter whether it was a misdemeanor or a felony, if you have been arrested, or worse, charged with a crime in Concord, it is time to get a defense attorney. If you want to turn your life around, prevent this arrest from ruining the rest of your life, and have a strong chance of walking away without a conviction, Derek Ewin is the defense attorney you need.

Call (925) 205-6718 or reach out to our team online to get that vital initial consultation scheduled immediately if you or one of your loved ones has been charged with a crime in Concord. His faithful belief in you and zealous defense of your case could help ensure this moment does not threaten all you have worked toward, but provides a genuine chance to turn your life around.