Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

All felonies are serious, and a felony conviction can have lifelong consequences. Advertising a stolen bike on craigslist, if that's all he did, doesn't necessarily prove burglary. Maybe a lesser charge can be negotiated. A lawyer will help you and your son get to the best possible outcome. Be sure to plan ahead and make sure the lawyer is available to represent your son in court on the first court appearance date.

Attorneys' fees vary from attorney to attorney. Keep calling attorneys until you find one with whom you and your son feel comfortable.

There are many facts that a qualified lawyer would need to know to fully respond to your question. However, a Felony for any person usually means the end to most employment of any kind of real job. Also there is usually custody time and list of other serious consequences. You definitely need to get him a highly qualified attorney in or near your area. Should you have any questions regarding what to look for in a competent attorney, feel free to contact me........ I wish you and your son well........ David Wallin

Of course a felony is 'serious'. It carries one or more years in prison.

You are always entitled to represent yourself in court. Whether you should is a different issue. The conventional wisdom is that an attorney will be able to do a better job and get a better outcome. Prosecutors and judges don�t like dealing with ProPers, unless you are simply pleading guilty, not defending the case.

When arrested or charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a search or confession be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do? Raise all appropriate defenses with whatever witnesses, evidence and sympathies are available for legal arguments, for evidence suppression or other motions, or for trial. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney that does, who will try to get a dismissal, diversion program, charge reduction, or other decent outcome through plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate.

If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. I�ll be happy to help, using whatever defenses there may be.