Why You Should Hire an Attorney When Facing Arrest
Facing an arrest can be a distressing and overwhelming experience. Whether you are charged with a minor offense or a serious crime, it is crucial to understand the importance of...
Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Criminal Defense Case
Being charged with a crime is a stressful and overwhelming experience. Criminal charges can have severe consequences that can impact your life, resulting in hefty fines, loss of freedom, and...
Managing Expectations in a Criminal Defense Case
Navigating the criminal defense process can be a daunting task, especially for those who have never been in legal trouble before. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare for...
California Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
If you plead guilty or no contest to a criminal offense in California or if a jury finds you guilty at trial, you will be sentenced to some punishment by...
How Criminal Cases Work Arraignment and Plea Bargaining Basics
If you are charged with a crime in California, your first court appearance will be an arraignment. During the arraignment, the court will present the charges against you and explain...
Sevens Legal Defense Attorney Representing Client Suspected in Campland by the Bay Killing
Sevens Legal defense attorney Sue Gerard recently appeared on NBC San Diego News in a clip from the video arraignment of her client, accused of first-degree murder in the deadly Campland by...
When Can You Use Deadly Force to Protect Yourself in California
California’s self-defense laws give individuals in California the right to use reasonable force, even deadly force, to protect themselves against an intruder in their home if they reasonably believe that...
Can Felonies be Reduced to Misdemeanors
Under California law, any crime that carries a prison sentence of more than one year is considered a felony offense. In addition to a potential state prison sentence and significant...
What to do if someone falsely accuses you of a crime
The presumption of innocence may demand that any person accused of a crime be considered innocent until proven guilty. However, that all-important legal principle cannot always save a person from...
Can Misdemeanor or Felony Charges Be Expunged?
Having a conviction on your criminal record is a serious matter that can affect your life for years to come. In addition to the penalties associated with a misdemeanor or...
When Is It Worth it to Take Your Criminal Case to Trial
Should I go to trial or take a plea deal? Which option will get me the best outcome in my criminal case? These are some of the most pressing questions...
What Sex Crimes are Felonies
Sex crimes represent some of the most consequential types of criminal offenses in California. Not only can a sex crime charge lead to years in prison and other devastating penalties,...
Sevens Legal Attorney Representing Massage Parlor Owner in Illicit Sex Scheme Case
Criminal defense attorney Crystal Erlandson of Sevens Legal, APC is serving as legal counsel to a massage parlor owner charged along with three others, including a former San Diego police...
Fraud, White-Collar Crime Investigations Stemming from the CARES Act
The federal government is cracking down on fraud, false statements and other white-collar crimes associated with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus...
What are the Penalties if You are Convicted in Federal Court?
Federal crimes are prosecuted in federal court and typically carry far more severe penalties than those levied by state courts in California. If you or someone in your family is...
Tips for Beating Federal Drug Charges
If you are wondering how to beat federal drug charges, the very first thing you should do is speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer who has a reputation for...
Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Federal Drug Crimes
Mandatory sentencing requirements under federal law require that convicted offenders serve a predetermined term of imprisonment for certain serious and/or violent crimes, including federal controlled substance (drug) offenses. In fact,...
How do Federal Drug Charges Compare to State Charges?
The unlawful possession, sale, distribution or manufacture of certain narcotics and other controlled substances is a violation of both California state and federal laws, and any time you are charged...
Navigating Pretrial Procedures and Investigations-Tips for Criminal Defendants inn San Diego
The criminal court process in California may seem like a confusing maze of complex rules and court procedures that are impossible to navigate on your own. The truth is, it...
The Role of a Criminal Attorney in a Criminal Defense Case
The criminal justice system is complex and it can be very difficult for individuals accused of crimes to understand how the criminal justice process works and what they can expect...