A highly skilled criminal defense attorney in Chula Vista with over 25 years of experience, David Pflaum protects the rights of his clients and gets the best possible results for them in court.
A former deputy public defender for the County of San Diego now on your side, attorney Pflaum has the knowledge, skill and contacts in the community to get the job done right for his clients and their loved ones.
Just because a person was cited or arrested for a crime does not mean that he or she is guilty. The accused has rights and remedies.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer like Mr. Pflaum makes a difference in the outcome of a misdemeanor prosecution.
HOW THE DEFENSE LAWYER HELPS BEFORE COURT STARTS
Investigation: If you are under investigation for a crime by child protective services or law enforcement, call attorney Pflaum immediately. Do not wait. Try to get the name and telephone number of the investigator and call our law office now.
Office Consultation: Most misdemeanors begin with a citation from a police officer to appear in court. This is commonly referred to as a Notice To Appear.
Bring your notice to appear to your consultation with attorney Pflaum. He will discuss your case with you in detail and figure out the right strategy to get the best possible results.
Most felony cases begin with an arrest and the accused is put in jail where he or she remains until bail is posted or the judge releases the accused.
Get Out of Jail: When a client is in jail, there are several ways attorney Pflaum helps him or her get released from jail before the first court date, or during the first court date at the arraignment.
The procedures to get a person out of custody depends on the circumstances of the alleged crime and the present status of the accused, i.e., ties to the community, employment, ownership of property, age, health, prior criminal record, military experience and character references.
Post Bail: The release of the client can be accomplished by posting bail right away. The advantage is that the accused is released the same day. The disadvantage is the bail bond may cost a lot of money that is not refundable.
Request Release from the Judge: The release of the client can also be accomplished at the first court date by requesting from the court a release from custody without posting bail, also called a release on the client’s “own recognizance.”
Click on the following words to learn more: get released.
Contact the Prosecutor’s Office: Depending upon the circumstances, such as assistance from the alleged victim, interviews with witnesses, and additional facts about the arrest, the defense lawyer gets vital information about the case as soon as possible.
The defense lawyer then delivers the most important information to the prosecutor’s office as soon as possible. The goal is to persuade the prosecutor’s office not to file any criminal charges against the arrested person, or to reduce the charges.
COMPREHENSIVE DEFENSE
Personalized dedicated legal defense service for all criminal accusations.
- Grand theft, petty theft, embezzlement
- Fraud, theft by force, armed robbery, joyriding, vehicle theft
- Shoplifting, residential burglary, commercial burglary, forgery
- Possession of drugs, distribution, possession for sale, transportation of drugs
- Assault, assault by force with bodily injury, battery, or assault with deadly weapon
- Domestic violence, sexual assault, terrorist and criminal threats
- DUI alcohol, DUI drugs, DUI felony causing bodily injury, vehicular manslaughter
- Sex offense, rape, molestation, unlawful intercourse, child abuse
- Hit and run, reckless driving, evading arrest, suspended license, traffic offenses
- Felony charges, misdemeanors
- Juvenile court hearings
Note: If charged with a misdemeanor, you may not need to be present in court. Mr. Pflaum does all the work for you.
HOW THE DEFENSE LAWYER HELPS HIS CLIENT IN COURT
Plea Bargain: Most matters that are filed in court are resolved by way of a plea bargain. So it is super important to an excellent skilled experienced criminal defense lawyer to try to get the best results.
A plea bargain is an agreement between the client, the criminal defense attorney, the prosecutor and the judge that should include a reduction of the original charges and an agreement on punishment that are favorable to the client.
Preparation For The Plea Bargain Process: Continues by reviewing the arrest reports, the basis for the detention and the arrest, diagrams of the area of detention and arrest, expert reports, crime lab analysis results, witness statements, video and surveillance tapes, phone records, medical records, and any other evidence that the police claim supports the charges.
The criminal defense lawyer is then able to determine the strengths of the client’s case, and the weaknesses of the prosecution’s case, in order to make a presentation to the judge and prosecutor to get an excellent plea bargain offer.
If the plea bargain is accepted by the client and the defense lawyer, the judge will sentence the client in accordance with the agreement immediately or at a later date.
If the plea bargain is not accepted, the case continues in order to gather additional information, or to head towards a jury trial.
Trial: Some cases, depending upon the circumstances, the evidence, and the client’s preference, may go to jury trial where Mr. Pflaum has many many years of successful experience.
There are many defenses at trial. The right defense depends upon the client, the type of case, the criminal charges, the state of the evidence, forensic evidence, DNA, expert testimony, witness testimony, the police reports, photographs, 911 calls, official records, and the credibility of the witness/es or lack of witness/es.
Defenses at Trial: Defenses at trial depend upon the nature of the criminal accusation and the evidence, but commonly include the following.
- No criminal intent
- Insufficient evidence
- No corroboration
- No witness identification
- Witness bias
- No proof beyond a reasonable doubt
- Violation of the right to remain silent
- Coerced confession
- Alibi
- Inconsistent police testimony
PROVEN RESULTS
Click on investigations, results, trials, and testimonials to learn more.
Contact our offices for help right now
(760) 806-4333
Vista – Escondido – Carlsbad – Fallbrook – Oceanside – Encinitas – Solana Beach – San Ysidro – Chula Vista – San Diego – Carmel Valley – Pacific Beach – Del Mar – San Marcos – El Cajon – La Costa – Leucadia – La Jolla – Mission Beach – Imperial Beach – North Park – Hillcrest – Rancho Santa Fe – Poway – North County – South Bay – Coronado – Miramar – Scripps Ranch – Rancho Bernardo – Ramona – National City – Santee – Mission Hills – Bonita – Point Loma – Valley Center – Bonsall