Sacramento Felony Defense Attorney 

Serious Charges Need Serious Criminal Defense

Facing a felony charge can turn your life upside down. You may be worried about prison, your job, and how this will affect your family. In a moment, your future can feel like it is in the hands of people you have never met.

At Walsh Law, we focus our practice on defending people accused of crimes. Our founding attorney, Chris Walsh, is a former Chief Assistant District Attorney and former homicide prosecutor who has spent more than 19 years in criminal courtrooms. He has personally tried over 100 jury trials, and our team draws on that background every day when we stand between our clients and a felony conviction.

If you or someone you care about is facing felony charges in the Sacramento area, you do not have to go through this alone. We are here to step in, take control of the legal side, and give you clear, direct guidance about what comes next.

Contact us today at (916) 610-3558 to request a free case evaluation.

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

In California, crimes are categorized by their severity, and the classification determines where you serve your time and the long-term impact on your civil liberties.

• Misdemeanors: These are considered less serious offenses, such as petty theft or public intoxication. The maximum penalty is typically one year in county jail and fines up to $1,000.
• Felonies: These represent the most serious crimes in the state. A felony conviction can result in state prison sentences ranging from 16 months to life without parole. Fines often exceed $10,000, and you may lose the right to own a firearm or vote while incarcerated.
• Wobblers: Many California offenses are "wobblers," meaning the prosecutor has the discretion to charge them as either a felony or a misdemeanor based on the facts of the case and your prior criminal history. An experienced Sacramento felony lawyer can often negotiate to have a "wobbler" reduced to a misdemeanor.

Common Types of Felony Offenses

The Sacramento District Attorney’s office prosecutes a wide range of felony charges. At Walsh Law, we represent clients facing various serious allegations, including:

• Violent Crimes: Murder, voluntary manslaughter, mayhem, and robbery.
• Sex Crimes: Rape, lewd acts with a minor, and sexual assault.
• Drug Crimes: Possession of controlled substances for sale, drug manufacturing, and large-scale trafficking.
• Property Crimes: First-degree burglary (residential), grand theft (property valued over $950), and arson.
• DUI Felonies: A fourth DUI within ten years or a DUI causing "great bodily injury" to another person.
• Domestic Violence: Corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant (Penal Code 273.5) is frequently charged as a felony if there is significant physical harm.

Felony Penalties in California

California utilizes a "triad" sentencing system for most felonies, providing a low, middle, and high term of imprisonment. For example, a crime might carry a sentence of 2, 3, or 4 years. The judge decides which term is appropriate based on aggravating or mitigating factors.

The Three Strikes Law

California’s "Three Strikes" law significantly enhances penalties for repeat offenders:

• Second Strike: If you have one prior "serious" or "violent" felony conviction, the sentence for any new felony is doubled.
• Third Strike: If you have two prior serious or violent felony convictions, a third felony conviction can result in a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond prison, a felony conviction carries "invisible" penalties:

• Loss of Firearm Rights: Lifetime ban on owning or possessing firearms.
• Professional Licensing: Loss of licenses for nursing, teaching, law, or real estate.
• Immigration Status: Non-citizens may face mandatory deportation or হয়ে permanent inadmissibility.

The Felony Court Process in Sacramento

Navigating a felony case in Sacramento County involves several critical stages where a lawyer can intervene:

1. Arraignment: This is your first appearance where charges are read, and bail is set.
2. Preliminary Hearing: The "trial before the trial." The prosecutor must prove there is "probable cause" to believe you committed the crime. This is a vital opportunity for your lawyer to cross-examine witnesses.
3. Pre-Trial Motions: We may file motions to suppress evidence if it was obtained through an illegal search and seizure.
4. Trial: If a plea deal cannot be reached, your case goes before a jury of 12 Sacramento residents.

Felony FAQs

Can a felony be reduced to a misdemeanor?

Yes. Under California Penal Code Section 17(b), "wobbler" offenses can be reduced to misdemeanors at sentencing or even after probation is successfully completed.

What is a "Strike" offense?

Under Penal Code Sections 667.5(c) and 1192.7(c), certain crimes are classified as "violent" or "serious." These count as "strikes" and trigger the harsh enhancements of the Three Strikes Law.

Will I go to state prison for a first-time felony?

Not necessarily. Depending on the charge, you may be eligible for formal probation, which allows you to serve your time in the community under supervision, or a mental health/veterans diversion program.

Do I need a lawyer if I am innocent?

Absolutely. The prosecution has the resources of the government behind them. An innocent person can still be convicted if they do not have a legal advocate to challenge weak evidence or false testimony.

Why Our Felony Defense Matters

When you are charged with a felony, the prosecutor has significant power and resources. Having a defense lawyer who understands how that office operates can make a real difference. Chris Walsh served as a Chief Assistant District Attorney, and before that as a deputy district attorney in Kings, Fresno, and Santa Clara counties. He was trusted with some of the most serious cases, including homicides and complex violent offenses.

That background gives us a detailed view of how felony cases are investigated, filed, negotiated, and tried. We understand what evidence prosecutors look for, how they evaluate witness credibility, and what may motivate them to reduce or dismiss charges. When we review a file, we are looking at it the same way a seasoned prosecutor would, and then planning how to challenge that case from every angle.

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 has been recognized by Lawyers of Distinction in Criminal Law and as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers. These honors reflect years of work in serious criminal courts, and we use that experience when we act as a felony criminal defense attorney that Sacramento defendants can rely on in high stakes situations.

We also intentionally limit the number of cases we accept. Our goal is to give each client the time and attention their situation deserves, instead of stacking files and passing people off to whoever is free. When you hire us, you can expect a real relationship with our team, regular communication, and a defense strategy built around the specific facts of your case and your goals.

Call (916) 610-3558 to speak with our team about your felony case.