1. The Rosenfeld Law Firm – Kenneth L. Rosenfeld
Practice Focus: Sex offenses defense, first-degree murder, DUI defense, federal criminal defense, juvenile defense, appellate law, mental health law, prison law
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/DWI, sex crimes, violent crimes, drug offenses, juvenile defense, murder, white collar crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, appeals, federal court representation, California Supreme Court representation, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals representation, United States Supreme Court representation, plea negotiations, juvenile defense proceedings, mental health defense
Background: Kenneth L. Rosenfeld has over 150 criminal defense trials to his credit. He is a graduate of American University and holds California State Bar License #186060. Mr. Rosenfeld is admitted to practice in the State of California, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California, the California Courts of Appeals, the California Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Mr. Rosenfeld serves as a legal expert commentator for Sacramento television stations and has appeared in national media. He teaches constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility to law students preparing for the California Bar Exam.
Location: 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1245, Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact: (916) 447-2070 | [email protected] | https://www.therosenfeldlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Chastaine Jones Criminal Defense Attorneys – Michael L. Chastaine
Practice Focus: Sex crimes defense, DUI/DWI defense, criminal record clearance, domestic violence defense, juvenile defense, white collar crimes, professional licensing board representation
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, sex offenses, DUI/DWI, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft, assault and battery, fraud, tax evasion, juvenile delinquency, probation violations, murder
Legal Services: Trial defense, appeals, expungements, Certificates of Rehabilitation, sex offender registration removal, professional licensing defense, state and federal court representation
Background: Michael L. Chastaine holds California State Bar License #121209 and has over 34 years of criminal defense experience. He graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law. Attorney Chastaine served 11 years as a Deputy Public Defender for Santa Clara County and worked five years in the county’s Alternate Defender Office before entering private practice. He has been selected to the Best Lawyers in America list since 2013, Northern California Super Lawyers since 2005, and maintains a 10.0 rating on Avvo. He has appeared before the Third and Sixth Appellate Districts and the California Supreme Court. Attorney Chastaine is also an author, having received the LEA Award (Legal Excellence Award for Literary Distinction).
Location: 11230 Gold Express Drive, Suite 310-242, Gold River, CA 95670
Contact: (916) 932-7150 | [email protected] | https://chastainejones.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, evening and weekend appointments by request
3. Crowell Law Offices – Hendrick S. Crowell II
Practice Focus: DUI defense, criminal defense, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, traffic offenses
Legal Services: Trial defense, DMV hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, case dismissals
Background: Hendrick S. Crowell II holds California State Bar License #215900 and has practiced law for over 24 years. He graduated from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. Attorney Crowell is admitted to practice in California State Court and the United States District Court (Federal). He is a member of Capital City Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Consumer Attorneys of California, American Bar Association, and the Sacramento County Bar Association. He has received the Avvo Client’s Choice Award in 2025 and the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion recognition.
Location: 1510 J Street, Suite 135, Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact: (916) 303-2800 | [email protected] | https://www.crowelllawoffices.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Gonzales Law Office – Jonathan R. Gonzales
Practice Focus: DUI defense, drug crimes, murder defense, violent crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, murder, robbery, assault, gun possession, theft, forgery, sexual assault, juvenile offenses
Legal Services: Trial defense, pretrial motions, illegal search and seizure motions, speedy trial motions, investigation services, state and federal court representation
Background: Jonathan R. Gonzales holds California State Bar License #277860 and was admitted to practice in 2011. He is a former police officer who began his career with a local agency in Northern California. Attorney Gonzales attended California State University at Chico, obtaining his B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies, and graduated from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento in the top 10 of his class, receiving the AmJur Award in Business Organizations and Corporations. He has been selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2016-2021 and named to the National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40” list. While in law school, he worked as an intern at the Placer County Public Defender’s Office and served as lead counsel in four jury trials as a certified law student. He has completed Drug and Alcohol Recognition training.
Location: 1510 J Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact: (916) 318-5177 | https://saclegaldefense.com
Consultation: Free and confidential case evaluation available
5. Law Office of David Knoll – David A. Knoll
Practice Focus: DUI defense, felony defense, misdemeanor defense, expungements, drug crimes, domestic violence
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, assault, theft, weapons charges, sex crimes, violent crimes, identity theft, embezzlement
Legal Services: Trial defense, expungements, record clearing, DMV hearings, plea negotiations
Background: David A. Knoll holds California State Bar License #172067 and has over 25 years of criminal defense experience. He graduated from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. Before law school, Attorney Knoll served in the United States Air Force with a higher than Top Secret Security Clearance and earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, graduating Cum Laude. He is a member of the California State Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has never worked as a prosecutor and has dedicated his entire career to criminal defense.
Location: 2301 J Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95816
Contact: (916) 447-5297 | https://sactownlaw.com
Consultation: Available, payment plans offered
Criminal Defense Regulations in California
California attorneys must be licensed by the State Bar of California to practice law. The State Bar of California, founded in 1927, is an administrative arm of the California Supreme Court and has over 250,000 members, making it the largest state bar association in the United States. Applicants must pass the California Bar Examination, which consistently has one of the lowest passage rates in the country. After passing, applicants must take the Attorney Oath and submit their oath card before becoming eligible to practice.
The State Bar of California offers specialty certification through the Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS) in 11 areas of law, including Criminal Law. To become a certified Criminal Law Specialist, attorneys must practice law continuously for at least five years with at least 25 percent of their work in criminal law, pass a written examination, demonstrate a high level of experience through jury trials conducted to verdict, complete continuing education requirements beyond standard MCLE, and receive favorable evaluations from other attorneys and judges. Approximately 3% of practicing attorneys in California hold CBLS certification.
California requires 25 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) every three years, including: at least 4 hours of legal ethics, at least 2 hours of elimination of bias (with at least 1 hour on implicit bias), at least 1 hour on technology in law practice, at least 1 hour on competence issues (mental health, substance abuse), and at least 1 hour on civility in the legal profession. At least 12.5 hours must be participatory credit. Certified specialists must complete an additional 36 hours of Legal Specialist Continuing Legal Education every three years.
California’s public defender system provides representation for indigent defendants who cannot afford private counsel. Each county maintains a Public Defender’s Office. Eligibility is typically determined by income guidelines, with defendants required to demonstrate financial inability to retain private counsel.
California classifies crimes as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies. Misdemeanors carry penalties of up to one year in county jail. Felonies are categorized by potential sentences, ranging from 16 months to life imprisonment or death for capital crimes. California maintains the death penalty, though executions have been under moratorium since 2019. Capital defense attorneys must meet specific qualifications including substantial experience in serious felony trials.
California bail laws underwent significant reform. The state uses a bail schedule system, though courts can deviate based on factors including the defendant’s criminal history, flight risk, and public safety concerns. Certain offenses involving prior convictions for crimes carrying life without parole make defendants ineligible for bail release.
California’s expungement system operates under Penal Code 1203.4. Eligibility typically requires completion of probation without violations. Senate Bill 731 (the Clean Slate Act), effective October 2024, provides automatic sealing of eligible arrest and conviction records. Non-serious, non-violent, and non-sexual felony convictions are automatically sealed from public view for those who have completed their sentences and remained crime-free for four years. Proposition 47 allows reduction of certain felony drug and theft convictions (where value is under $950) to misdemeanors. Expunged records must still be disclosed when applying for public office, peace officer positions, and certain professional licenses. Expungement does not restore firearm rights, which typically require a Certificate of Rehabilitation or Governor’s Pardon.
California imposes mandatory minimum sentences for various offenses, including enhanced penalties for repeat offenders under the Three Strikes Law. Habitual offender enhancements apply to defendants with prior serious or violent felony convictions.
Attorney advertising in California is regulated by the California Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibit false or misleading communications. Attorneys may not claim specialization unless certified by the State Bar or an approved organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at an arraignment in Sacramento County?
An arraignment in Sacramento County is the first formal court appearance after arrest. The defendant appears before a judge at the Sacramento County Superior Court, located at 720 9th Street, where they are formally advised of the charges, their constitutional rights are explained, and they enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The judge also addresses bail at this hearing. For felony cases, the arraignment must occur within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays). For misdemeanors, defendants who post bail must appear within 10 days. Sacramento County utilizes video arraignments for in-custody defendants at the Main Jail.
How does the Sacramento County bail system work?
Sacramento County uses a bail schedule that sets presumptive bail amounts for various offenses. Bail can be paid directly to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department at the Main Jail (651 I Street) or through a licensed bail bond company, which typically charges 10-15% of the total bail amount as a non-refundable fee. Defendants may also request a bail reduction hearing before a judge. Sacramento County participates in supervised own recognizance release programs for eligible defendants, where pretrial services monitors the defendant pending trial. Defendants charged with certain violent or serious felonies may be held without bail pursuant to California Penal Code 1270.1.
What are the penalties for a first-time DUI conviction in Sacramento?
A first-time DUI conviction in California carries mandatory minimum penalties including: 3-5 years of informal probation, fines totaling approximately $1,500-$2,000 (including penalty assessments), completion of a 3-month alcohol education program (AB 541), a 6-month driver’s license suspension (though a restricted license may be available after 30 days), and attendance at a Victim Impact Panel. If the blood alcohol content was 0.15% or higher, a 9-month alcohol education program is required. Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) for approximately 6 months may be required for license reinstatement. Sacramento County Superior Court handles DUI cases, with the Sacramento County Probation Department overseeing probation terms.
Does Sacramento County offer diversion programs for criminal cases?
Sacramento County offers several diversion programs that may allow defendants to avoid conviction. Mental Health Diversion (Penal Code 1001.36) is available for defendants with qualifying mental health conditions where the condition was a significant factor in the offense. Drug Court (Penal Code 1000) provides treatment-based diversion for eligible drug possession cases, requiring completion of a treatment program and regular court appearances. Veterans Treatment Court serves eligible military veterans with substance abuse or mental health issues. Neighborhood Court offers community-based resolution for qualifying misdemeanors. Successful completion of diversion programs results in dismissal of charges. Eligibility varies based on the offense, criminal history, and other factors determined by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
How can I get my criminal record expunged in Sacramento County?
California law provides several pathways for record relief in Sacramento County. Under Penal Code 1203.4, defendants who completed probation may petition for dismissal of their conviction. Senate Bill 731, effective October 2024, provides automatic sealing for eligible records: arrests not resulting in conviction are sealed after the statute of limitations expires, and most non-serious, non-violent felony convictions are automatically sealed four years after completion of sentence if no new offenses occur. To petition for expungement, file form CR-180 with Sacramento County Superior Court. The filing fee is approximately $120, though fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income individuals. For felony convictions with prison sentences, petition under Penal Code 1203.42 or 1203.425. Proposition 47 allows reduction of certain pre-2014 felonies to misdemeanors with subsequent eligibility for dismissal. The Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office assists with expungement petitions for former clients, and several nonprofit organizations offer free expungement clinics.