Serving Sacramento County and Beyond Misdemeanors

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.

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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.

Sacramento Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer

Charged With A Misdemeanor And Unsure What Comes Next?

A misdemeanor charge in Sacramento can feel like it turned your life upside down overnight. You may be worried about work, your family, and whether this will follow you for years. Even if someone told you it is “only a misdemeanor,” it is still a criminal case that deserves serious attention.

At Walsh Law, we focus exclusively on criminal defense. Our firm is led by attorney Chris Walsh, a former Chief Assistant District Attorney with more than 19 years in criminal law and over 100 jury trials behind him. We use that experience to guide people through misdemeanor cases in a way that protects their record, their reputation, and their future.

If you are looking for a misdemeanor attorney in Sacramento who will take your situation personally, listen carefully, and give you straight answers, we are here to help. The sooner we get involved, the more options we usually have to shape the outcome.

To schedule a free case review, call (916) 610-3558 or contact us online today.

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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 a Misdemeanor?

In the California penal system, crimes are generally categorized into three tiers: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. A misdemeanor is a crime that is more serious than an infraction (like a speeding ticket) but less severe than a felony (like robbery or murder).

Under California law, the defining characteristic of a misdemeanor is the potential punishment. While a felony can result in years in state prison, a misdemeanor conviction is punishable by a maximum of one year in a county jail.

However, many misdemeanors are "wobblers." This means the prosecutor has the discretion to charge the offense as either a misdemeanor or a felony based on the specific facts of the case and the defendant’s prior criminal history. Having an experienced attorney early in the process is vital to ensuring a "wobbler" stays in the misdemeanor category.

Common Types of Misdemeanors in California

Our legal team at Walsh Law handles a wide array of misdemeanor cases. While these charges are common, the nuances of California law require a sophisticated defense strategy for each. Common charges include:

DUI (Driving Under the Influence): Most first and second-time DUIs without injuries are charged as misdemeanors.
Drug Possession: Possession of controlled substances for personal use (Health and Safety Code 11350).
Petty Theft: Shoplifting or stealing property valued at $950 or less (Penal Code 484 & 488).
Domestic Violence: Battery on a spouse or cohabitant (Penal Code 243(e)(1)).
Assault and Battery: Simple assault (Penal Code 240) or battery (Penal Code 242) that does not involve serious bodily injury.
Public Intoxication: Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol in a public place to the point of being unable to care for oneself (Penal Code 647(f)).
Prostitution and Solicitation: Engaging in or soliciting an act of prostitution.
Vandalism: Defacing or damaging property where the damage is less than $400.

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

Criminal Penalties for Misdemeanor Convictions in CA

The penalties for a misdemeanor in Sacramento are not "slaps on the wrist." They can disrupt your employment, your finances, and your freedom. California divides misdemeanors into two categories:

Standard Misdemeanors

These are punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Examples include public intoxication and petty theft.

Gross or Aggravated Misdemeanors

These are more serious offenses punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of $1,000 or more. Examples include domestic battery or a second-offense DUI.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond jail and fines, a misdemeanor conviction carries "hidden" costs:

Professional Licensing: Nurses, teachers, and contractors may face disciplinary action or license revocation.
Firearm Rights: Certain misdemeanors, particularly those involving domestic violence, carry a 10-year or lifetime ban on owning a firearm.
Immigration Status: For non-citizens, certain "crimes of moral turpitude" can lead to deportation or denial of citizenship.
Employment: Many employers run background checks that will reveal a misdemeanor conviction.

Misdemeanor Charge FAQs

Will I go to jail for a first-time misdemeanor?

Not necessarily. For many first-time offenders in Sacramento, we can negotiate for probation or "diversion." If you successfully complete a diversion program, the charges may be dismissed entirely, keeping your record clean.

Can a misdemeanor be cleared from my record?

Yes. Under California Penal Code 1203.4, many misdemeanors are eligible for expungement once you have successfully completed probation. This allows you to legally state to most private employers that you were not convicted of a crime.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and an infraction?

An infraction (like a stop sign violation) results only in a fine and does not go on your criminal record. A misdemeanor is a crime that involves potential jail time and creates a permanent criminal record.

Do I have to appear in court for a misdemeanor?

In many cases, under California Penal Code 977, your attorney can appear on your behalf for misdemeanor proceedings. This means you may not have to miss work or step foot in a courtroom while we handle the litigation.

Why Our Team Is Different

When you are deciding who should stand between you and a criminal conviction, background matters. Chris Walsh served for years as a prosecutor, including as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Nevada County and as a deputy district attorney in Kings, Fresno, and Santa Clara counties. That experience gives our team a detailed understanding of how prosecutors evaluate and build misdemeanor cases.

Having personally tried more than 100 jury trials, Chris knows what actually matters to judges and juries and what is just noise. That trial history helps us look at your case from the very beginning with an eye toward what the other side will try to prove and how we can pull their case apart. It also means that if your case cannot be resolved short of trial, we are not learning the courtroom on your time.

We are not a high-volume office that treats people like file numbers. We intentionally limit our caseload so we can dig into the details of each misdemeanor, review the reports closely, and talk through strategy with our clients. Our approach has been described as white-glove service with a blue-collar attitude, which for you means careful preparation, personal attention, and clear, no-nonsense advice about where you stand.

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 is recognized by organizations such as Lawyers of Distinction in Criminal Law and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers. These are outside acknowledgments of what we commit to every day, fighting hard for good people who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

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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

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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.