FAQ

Defending Your Rights, Protecting Your Future.

  • Criminal Defense

    • What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
      The major difference between them is that of the seriousness of the crime. Minor charges such as shoplifting or first time DUI are likely to be charged as misdemeanors and carry sentencing of probation, court ordered fines or possibly up to one year in jail. Felonies are more serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, drug crimes or assault. They carry stiffer fines and can include prison time of over 1 year to life, depending on the nature of the crime.
    • Why do I need an attorney?
      Some minor criminal charges might be able to be resolved on your own, such as a first time DUI or even shoplifting. But the majority of cases can lead to serious penalties if you do not have a Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyer representing your interests. To avoid the serious impact a conviction can carry to your future, contacting my office for help can help you to avoid the serious consequences, such as jail time, harsh fines and other penalties.
    • What should I do if I am placed under arrest?
      The important thing to remember is not to give a statement to the police. You must protect your right to remain silent. Police will often fabricate information in order to get a person to confess to something when they are well within their right to remain silent. You should then contact my office, Adam L. Pearlman, for the skilled legal representation you need to protect your rights.
    • What exactly is an expungement?
      An expungement is essentially the court removing the record of an individual from the public court records. When the conviction no longer appears on your record, you can legally state on applications and legal documents that you have no record if it has been expunged. A person must qualify for an expungement, so consulting with my office to discuss your prior record will help me determine whether an expungement will work for you.
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