Serving Sacramento County and Beyond Felonies

We represent good people who find themselves, on occasion, on the wrong side of the law. We have extensive trial experience and are proven litigators. We have handled every type of criminal case from A to Z.

Play Video

Step 1: The Arrest

Don’t let the police take advantage of you while you’re in custody. Call Walsh Law right away, and we’ll get to work protecting your rights so you don’t inadvertently self-incriminate.
Step 2: The Arraignment

Walsh Law is an aggressive Folsom criminal defense firm that can argue for reasonable bail and help you await the end of your case from the comfort of your home.
Step 3: Pre-Trial Hearings

We’ll evaluate the prosecution’s case, challenge weak evidence and inconsistencies, and do our due diligence to get the charges against you reduced or dropped.

Elk Grove Felony Defense Attorney

Charged with a Felony? Let Our Firm Help!

Finding out you are being investigated or charged with a felony can turn your life upside down. You may be worried about prison, your job, and your family, and you might have no idea what will happen next. You need a felony attorney who understands both what is at stake and how the system in this area really works.

At Walsh Law, we focus our practice on defending people facing criminal charges. Our office in Folsom allows us to regularly represent individuals whose matters begin in or around Elk Grove and move through Sacramento County Superior Court. We are led by Chris Walsh, a former Chief Assistant District Attorney and homicide prosecutor with more than 19 years of criminal law experience.

Chris has personally tried over 100 jury trials and spent years handling some of the most serious cases on the prosecution side. That background helps us anticipate how the District Attorney may approach your case and where the weaknesses might be.

If you or someone you love is facing a felony in the Elk Grove area, we encourage you to reach out for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your options.

Continue Reading Read Less

Values You Can Relate To

Our Client Testimonials

“I have permanently added him to my contacts for any future needs. THANK YOU CHRIS!!”
“I am always able to get ahold of him directly either by cell or text including after hours and if for some reason he isn’t immediately available, he responds as soon as he can.”

- Melissa C.
“Mr Walsh is the very best!!”
“He was compassionate and explained to me what to expect in an easy way for me to understand. He was straightforward and delivered on what he said he could do for me!”

- Claudia H.
“I would like to thank Chris for helping me achieve a better deal.”
“I was in a bit of a situation and public defenders weren’t doing anything to help my case as if they didn’t have time. Which they don’t, but Chris Walsh did and came up with a few methods to fight my case.”

- Dewan P.

What is the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in California?

In California, crimes are categorized into three levels: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Understanding where your charge sits on this spectrum is vital.

Misdemeanors: These are crimes considered less severe than felonies but more serious than infractions (like speeding tickets). A misdemeanor typically carries a maximum penalty of up to 364 days in county jail and fines generally capped at $1,000. Common examples include petty theft, simple assault, and first-time DUIs.
Felonies: These are the most serious offenses. A felony is defined by the potential for a state prison sentence (though some lower-level felonies are now served in county jail under realignment laws). Fines for felonies can reach $10,000 or more, and the long-term "collateral consequences"—such as the loss of firearm rights—are much more severe.

The "Wobbler" Factor

California law also includes a unique category known as "wobblers." A wobbler is a crime that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the offense and the defendant's criminal history. Recent 2026 legislative updates, such as AB 321, have expanded the power of judges to reduce these "wobbler" charges to misdemeanors at any stage before trial. Our goal at Walsh Law is often to argue for these reductions early in the process.

Call (916) 610-3558 to talk with our team now.

Felony Classes & Penalties in California

Unlike the federal system or other states that use "Class A" or "Class B" designations, California primarily uses a "Triad" sentencing system for most felonies. For a given crime, the law typically specifies three possible terms of imprisonment: a lower term, a middle term, and an upper term.

Standard Determinate Sentencing

If a specific statute doesn't list a different punishment, the default triad for a felony in California is 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years. However, more serious crimes have their own elevated triads:

First-Degree Burglary: 2, 4, or 6 years.
Robbery: 2, 3, or 5 years (or more depending on the degree).
Assault with a Deadly Weapon: Up to 4 years in state prison.

Indeterminate Sentencing & Life Sentences

The most severe felonies, such as murder or certain sex crimes, carry indeterminate sentences. These are often expressed as "15 years to life" or "25 years to life." In these cases, the defendant is not eligible for parole until the minimum term has been served, and there is no guarantee of release.

Enhancements and the Three Strikes Law

California also utilizes "enhancements" that can add significant time to a base sentence. Common enhancements include:

Use of a firearm during the crime.
Inflicting Great Bodily Injury (GBI).
Gang-related activity.

Under California’s Three Strikes Law, a prior serious or violent felony conviction can double the sentence for a new felony. A third strike can lead to a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life.

Common Felony Charges in Elk Grove

Elk Grove is a growing community, and local law enforcement—including the Elk Grove Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office—actively pursues various felony investigations. Our firm frequently handles cases involving:

Felony DUI: A DUI can be elevated to a felony if it involves an accident causing injury or if it is the defendant's fourth offense within ten years.
Drug Trafficking & Possession: While many possession charges are now misdemeanors (following Prop 47), possession with intent to sell or the manufacture of controlled substances remain serious felonies.
Violent Crimes: This includes robbery, carjacking, and various forms of aggravated assault.
White-Collar & Financial Crimes: Elk Grove has seen an increase in "High Tech" and financial crimes, including identity theft, embezzlement, and elder fiduciary abuse.
Domestic Violence: Certain domestic battery charges are wobblers that prosecutors often initially file as felonies if there is visible injury.

Felony FAQs

Will I go to state prison if I am convicted of a felony?

Not necessarily. Under California’s "Realignment" (AB 109), many non-serious, non-violent, and non-sexual felonies are now served in county jail rather than state prison. Additionally, an experienced Elk Grove felony defense lawyer may be able to secure felony probation, allowing you to remain in the community under supervision.

Can a felony be removed from my record?

In many cases, yes. If you successfully complete probation and meet specific criteria, you may be eligible for a PC 1203.4 dismissal (often called an expungement). Furthermore, if your felony was a "wobbler," we can petition the court to reduce it to a misdemeanor before seeking dismissal.

Will I lose my right to vote or own a gun?

In California, you only lose your right to vote while you are currently incarcerated for a felony. Your right to vote is restored upon release. However, a felony conviction typically results in a lifetime ban on owning or possessing a firearm under both state and federal law.

What is a "Strike" offense?

"Strikes" are specific serious or violent felonies defined under Penal Code sections 667.5(c) and 1192.7(c). These include murder, rape, robbery, and any felony where a firearm was used or GBI was inflicted.

Why Choose Our Felony Defense Team

When you are looking for a felony attorney Elk Grove residents can rely on, you are not just hiring a name. You are trusting someone with your future. Our firm is built around the idea that serious cases deserve serious attention. We intentionally limit the number of matters we accept so we can devote the time and energy that a felony case requires.

Our lead attorney, Chris Walsh, previously served as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Nevada County and worked as a deputy district attorney in Kings, Fresno, and Santa Clara counties. He has tried more than 100 jury trials, including homicide and other high-stakes cases. This experience means we understand how prosecutors build cases, how they evaluate evidence, and what often persuades a jury.

Chris has been twice selected as Prosecutor of the Year in Fresno County and was nominated for Trial Attorney of the Year in Santa Clara County. He earned his law degree with honors and passed the California bar exam at age 22. These accomplishments reflect not just years in practice, but a long-standing commitment to criminal law and presenting complex facts clearly.

Continue Reading Read Less

Meet Our Team

We know it’s easy to get swept up with emotions and confusion in the aftermath of being charged with a crime. That’s why our Folsom criminal defense attorneys aim to shoulder as much of the burden as we can, providing reassurance plus honest insight and advice where you need it.

Learn More About Us

Why Walsh Law?

Walsh Law’s mission is to be the gold standard of criminal defense by providing superior legal advocacy in the face of potentially life-changing consequences.

Chris Walsh is a former prosecutor, so we know what you’re up against when you face criminal charges. Now, clients like you get to benefit from what we’ve learned in our careers and how we apply what we know to get the results you’re after.

Reach Out For a Free Consultation

Protect Your Future

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Walsh Law at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Authenticity
White-glove service with a healthy dose of blue-collar attitude. We're straight shooters driven by our strong fighting spirit to prevail.
Determination
It's the hallmark of our style of practice. We'll contest every case as far as necessary, are laser-focused on getting results, and we'll press on even if the going gets tough.
Excellence
We strive to achieve the best results possible but are never satisfied with just that. We constantly seek opportunities for improvement and follow through to get better.
Intelligence
We work smart and hard. We know the intricacies of the law and won't miss a chance to jump on a case's weak spots. Our strengths lie in skillfully sifting through case details to identify what's most important to a jury and presenting the facts persuasively.
Quality
We take pride in what we do and our record of results. No matter what our clients are going through, we're committed to protecting their rights and acting in their best interest.