At The Law Offices of Michael E. Cindrich, our team is dedicated to helping you in your time of need. Attorney Michael Cindrich represents individuals charged with all types of crimes in both federal and state courts throughout San Diego County.
San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, it’s important to formulate your defense early on. Even if you think you can provide favorable information about your case or “clear things up”, you should never talk to police or investigators without an attorney present. Your side of the story is always best told through an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Law Offices of Michael E. Cindrich defends people accused of crimes throughout San Diego County. Contact our office today at (619) 262-2500 to arrange a free and confidential consultation with attorney Michael Cindrich. We are ready to begin your defense immediately.
Table of Contents
- Criminal Case Proceedings
- District Attorney’s Office in San Diego County
- Types of Criminal Charges in San Diego County, CA
Criminal Case Proceedings in San Diego
Criminal offenses can be prosecuted as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The General Felony Unit of the District Attorney’s Office in San Diego County handles the intake of most felony cases submitted by law enforcement agencies to the DA’s Office.
Experienced prosecutors in the General Felony Unit have the task of reviewing the cases before making a filing decision. At that time, cases are reevaluated to determine the appropriateness of the charges and then assigned to other prosecutors within the District Attorney’s Office in San Diego County, CA, for trial.
If the case involves a serious or violent crime, the case is assigned to a more experienced deputy district attorneys after charges are filed.
Your defense attorney can make contact with the prosecutor in San Diego County’s General Felony Unit before any filing decision is made. At this stage, your attorney will seek to either convince the District Attorney’s office to dismiss (or drop) the charges, to reduce the charges to a lesser offense, or to reduce sentencing based on your case.
If these negotiations fail, then both attorneys will begin filing motions with the court to suppress, obtain, and review evidence prior to trial. This is also when trial selection begins and an arraignment is scheduled. Your attorney will seek to find you a fair set of jurors that won’t discriminate against your case because of any existing bias.
District Attorney’s Office in San Diego County
The District Attorney’s office in San Diego County handles both felony cases and misdemeanor cases that occur outside the unincorporated parts of San Diego County. Once a case has been assigned to an attorney at the DA’s office, the case is reviewed and negotiations between the handling attorney and your defense attorney can begin.
The District Attorney as of 2024 is Summer Stephen. The DA’s office has multiple locations, including in San Diego, Chula Vista, and other areas in San Diego County.
Types of Criminal Charges in San Diego County, CA
The most common types of criminal charges against another individual prosecuted in San Diego County include:
DUI Crimes
These crimes involving operating a motor vehicle while being under the influence of drugs or alcohol like:
- Excessive BAC
- First DUI
- Second DUI
- Third DUI
- Refusal of Chemical Tests
- DUI w/ a Child Passenger
- Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated
- Breath Test
- Blood Test
Drug Offenses
- Sale of a Controlled Substance
- Prescription Drug Crimes
- Possession for Sale
- Drug Trafficking
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Manufacturing
- Federal Drug Offenses
- Methamphetamine
- Fentanyl
Sex Offenses
These crimes refer to any crime that is sexual in nature. Many of these crimes are felonies, or have a felonious component, and almost all of them can or will require registration as a sex offender. These offenses include:
- Sexual Assault / Rape
- Sexual Battery
- Statutory Rape
- Lewd Acts with a Child
- Arranging a Meeting with a Minor to Commit a Lewd Act
- Child Annoyance
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Lewd Conduct in Public
- Prostitution / Solicitation
- Human Trafficking
- Revenge Porn
Domestic Violence
- Child Abuse
- Batterer’s Program
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Restraining Orders
- Domestic Battery
- Child Endangerment
- Child Neglect / Failure to Provide Care
- Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Cohabitant
- False Imprisonment
- Stalking
- Elder Abuse
- Criminal Threats
- Damaging a Telephone Line
- Aggravated Trespass
Theft Crimes
- Package Theft
- Burglary
- Auto Burglary
- Grand Theft
- Petty Theft
- Shoplifting
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Receiving a Stolen Vehicle
- Embezzlement
- Identity Theft
- Misappropriation of Public Funds
Vehicular Crimes
- Hit and Run
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Joyriding
- Driving without a License
- Exhibition of Speed
Violent Crimes
- Assault
- Battery
- Robbery
- Torture
- Resisting Arrest
- Hate Crimes
- Murder / Homicide
- Threats
- Kidnapping
- Witness Tampering
- Carjacking
- Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon
Firearms Charges
- Concealed Carry
- Open Carry
- Unlawful Carry
- Possession by a Convicted Felon
- Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
- Brandishing a Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon in a Prohibited Place
Other types of criminal cases include:
- “Three-Strike” Cases
- Expunging Records
- Gang Related Crimes
- High Profile Cases
Hire an Attorney for Criminal Defense in San Diego County, CA
Being charged with a crime is intimidating. Requests for information, court motions, and the bail system are complicated and confusing aspects of the legal system for the average person. Trying to take on the District Attorney’s office alone while working and taking care of your family is nearly impossible. Instead, contact an experienced defense attorney to represent you for your criminal defense case.
The Law Offices of Michael E. Cindrich defends people accused of crimes throughout San Diego County. Contact our office today at (619) 262-2500 to arrange a free and confidential consultation with attorney Michael Cindrich. We are ready to begin your defense immediately.