1. The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 20+ years experience handling wobblers, misdemeanors, and felonies
Practice Areas: DUI, drug crimes, violent crimes, theft, sex crimes, domestic violence, capital crimes, assault, battery
Background: Depending on factors like your criminal history and the offense you have been charged with, you risk facing years or decades of incarceration, thousands of dollars in criminal fines and restitution, suspension of your driver’s license, and other penalties. You will also receive a criminal record, which can make it substantially more difficult to get hired for jobs and seize other opportunities. With over 20 years of experience handling wobblers, misdemeanors, and felonies, the California defense lawyers at The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC are eminently qualified to handle a range of serious criminal charges. For more than two decades, the attorneys at The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC have dedicated themselves to providing aggressive, strategic legal representation to the residents of Oxnard and its surrounding communities. No matter how challenging or serious the allegations against you, they will analyze every detail of your case to develop a comprehensive strategy designed to protect your liberties.
Location: Oxnard, California (serves Ventura County)
Contact: (805) 643-5555 | https://www.bamiehdesmeth.com/
Consultation: Free and confidential legal consultation available
2. Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Focus Area: Criminal defense and DUI with extensive Ventura County experience
Practice Areas: DUI/DWI, drug crimes, theft, assault, domestic violence, expungement, post-conviction relief, appeals
Background: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley serves clients in Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and throughout Ventura County. For years, clients have trusted the skilled legal team to defend their constitutional rights. They hold police and prosecutors accountable for adhering to the law. It should also be noted that California has far more expungement options than neighboring states. In Arizona, for example, there is virtually no expungement of adult criminal records. If you stick with the process, you could find that many more opportunities are available to you. One of the most difficult challenges you will face after a conviction is rebuilding your life again. The lost time, impaired relationships, and missed career opportunities can make it difficult to have a fresh start. There are, however, certain legal options that can help make it easier to start over after a conviction. Common forms of post-conviction relief include appeals and expungement.
Location: 1000 Town Center Drive, Suite 300, Oxnard, CA 93036
Contact: (805) 248-7408 | https://www.chesleylawyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Law Office of Paul Tyler
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 19 years experience and 20,000+ court appearances in Ventura County
Practice Areas: DUI/DWI, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, sex crimes, federal crimes, expungement
Background: Oxnard criminal defense attorney Paul Tyler has 19 years of experience practicing criminal defense, including cases in DUI in Ventura County and has made more than 20,000 court appearances in Ventura County alone. He’s in court every day fighting for the rights of the criminal accused with a sincere commitment to get them the result possible. The Law Office of Paul Tyler has the abilities, resources and dedication you need when you’re fighting criminal charges in southern California. At the Law Office of Paul Tyler, the experienced and successful Oxnard criminal defense attorney will provide smart, strong and effective criminal defense to help you escape a criminal conviction or avoid the most severe punishments if a conviction is unavoidable. The firm will work to obtain a dismissal or reduction in charges, secure a not guilty verdict or acquittal at trial, or negotiate a favorable plea when avoiding trial is in your interests. From the office in Oxnard, they serve clients throughout all of Ventura County, as well as portions of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties.
Location: Oxnard, California (serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles Counties)
Contact: (805) 889-9000 | https://www.tylerlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available; available 24/7
4. My Rights Law
Focus Area: Criminal defense with specialized representation for licensed professionals and public figures
Practice Areas: DUI, domestic violence, assault, drug offenses, theft, white-collar crimes, violent crimes, felonies, misdemeanors
Background: The team of skilled criminal attorneys at My Rights Law is ready to work with you in Oxnard to build a strong and aggressive defense. From DUI to violent crimes, the firm has successfully defended clients across all types of criminal cases. They specialize in everything from misdemeanors to felonies, including domestic violence, assault, drug offenses, theft, and even white-collar crimes. The criminal defense lawyers in Oxnard, CA, understand how stressful facing criminal charges can be, and they treat every client with respect and compassion. If you’re a licensed professional or public figure, they have the expertise to handle your unique case. Prosecutors in Oxnard work tirelessly to secure convictions, making it essential to have an experienced defense attorney by your side. The criminal defense attorneys at My Rights Law are familiar with how the prosecution builds its case, and they use this knowledge to craft a strong defense. At My Rights Law, the Oxnard criminal defense lawyers are committed to ensuring that anyone accused of a crime has quality legal representation.
Location: Oxnard, California
Contact: (805) 263-1499 | https://www.myrightslawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available; available 24/7
5. Shouse Law Group
Focus Area: Criminal defense with former prosecutor experience and statewide coverage
Practice Areas: DUI, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, sex crimes, federal crimes, expungement
Background: The Ventura County criminal defense attorneys work to get felony, misdemeanor, and infraction charges reduced or dismissed throughout the California Central Coast. Some of the cities the Ventura criminal defense lawyers serve include Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks. Ventura criminal defense attorney John Murray is a native of the county who understands the unique politics and dynamics of its criminal justice system. He has years of extensive experience providing defense to his clients. The criminal and DUI lawyers offer free consultations about your legal issues. The attorneys, who comprise former prosecutors and members of law enforcement, have years of experience fighting charges. When defendants are unable to pay for their own lawyer, the court will assign a public defender to them. But public defenders are severely overworked, and it is not unusual for public defenders and their clients to have no communication outside of the courtroom. Therefore, having a private lawyer gives defendants an advantage.
Location: 300 E Esplanade Dr, 9th Floor, Oxnard, CA 93036
Contact: (805) 648-1680 | https://www.shouselaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
Criminal Defense Laws in California
Felony Classifications
California uses determinate sentencing for most felonies, with specific terms set by statute:
Life Felonies: Includes first-degree murder, kidnapping for ransom, and certain sex offenses. Penalty ranges from 25 years to life or life without parole.
Specified Term Felonies: Most felonies carry a low, middle, and high term (e.g., 16 months, 2 years, 3 years). The court selects based on aggravating and mitigating factors.
Wobblers: Offenses that can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors depending on circumstances and criminal history. Examples include assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft, and certain drug offenses.
Misdemeanor Classifications
Standard Misdemeanor: Maximum 6 months in county jail and $1,000 fine.
Aggravated Misdemeanor: Certain offenses carry up to 1 year in county jail.
Infractions: Non-criminal violations punishable by fine only.
Proposition 47 and Record Relief
California’s Proposition 47 (2014) reduced certain non-violent felonies to misdemeanors:
Eligible Offenses: Simple drug possession, shoplifting under $950, grand theft under $950, receiving stolen property under $950, forgery under $950, writing bad checks under $950.
Resentencing: Those currently serving sentences for eligible offenses may petition for resentencing.
Expungement (PC 1203.4): Available after successful completion of probation. Allows withdrawal of guilty plea and dismissal of charges. Does not apply to certain sex offenses or offenses requiring sex offender registration.
DUI Laws
California DUI applies to driving with BAC of .08% or higher (.04% commercial, .01% under 21). First offense carries 3-5 years informal probation, up to 6 months jail (48 hours minimum), $390-$1,000 fines plus penalties, 6-month license suspension, and DUI school. Second offense within 10 years carries 96 hours to 1 year jail, $390-$1,000 fines plus penalties, 2-year license suspension, and 18-30 months DUI school. Third offense within 10 years carries 120 days to 1 year jail, $390-$1,000 fines plus penalties, 3-year license revocation, and 30 months DUI school. Fourth offense within 10 years is a felony with 16 months to 3 years prison and 4-year license revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courts handle criminal cases in Oxnard?
Criminal cases in Oxnard are handled by the Ventura County Superior Court. The court has multiple locations, with the main criminal courthouse located at the Hall of Justice in Ventura at 800 S. Victoria Avenue. Oxnard cases may be heard at the Ventura County Juvenile courthouse at 4353 E Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard for juvenile matters. Misdemeanor arraignments often occur at the East County Courthouse in Simi Valley or the main Ventura courthouse. Federal criminal cases are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Having an Oxnard criminal defense attorney familiar with local judges and prosecutors in Ventura County provides an advantage in navigating your case.
What is a “wobbler” offense in California?
A wobbler is an offense that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor at the prosecutor’s discretion. Common wobblers include assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, grand theft, burglary (commercial), and certain drug offenses. Factors influencing the charging decision include the defendant’s criminal history, the severity of the offense, and the circumstances of the case. Even if charged as a felony, a wobbler may be reduced to a misdemeanor at sentencing or after successful completion of probation. An Oxnard criminal defense attorney can negotiate for misdemeanor treatment or petition for reduction after the fact.
What are the penalties for drug possession in California?
California’s Proposition 47 reduced simple possession of most drugs to a misdemeanor. Possession of a controlled substance (Health & Safety Code 11350) is a misdemeanor with up to 1 year jail and $1,000 fine. Possession of marijuana (over 28.5 grams) is a misdemeanor with up to 6 months jail. Possession with intent to sell remains a felony with 2-4 years prison for most substances. Drug diversion programs (PC 1000, Prop 36) may be available for first-time offenders, allowing dismissal upon successful completion. An Oxnard criminal defense attorney can evaluate eligibility for diversion and negotiate for treatment alternatives.
What happens if I am charged with DUI in Ventura County?
A DUI charge in Ventura County carries serious consequences. First offense carries 3-5 years informal probation, 48 hours to 6 months jail, $390-$1,000 fines plus penalties (totaling $1,800+), 6-month license suspension (may obtain restricted license after 30 days), and 3-month DUI school. Enhanced penalties apply for BAC of .15% or higher, refusal, accident, or minor in vehicle. The DMV will automatically suspend your license unless you request a hearing within 10 days of arrest. An Oxnard criminal defense attorney can challenge the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and chemical test results.
Can I get my California criminal record expunged?
California allows expungement (dismissal) under Penal Code 1203.4 for most convictions after successful completion of probation. Eligible records include most misdemeanors and felonies where probation was granted. Not eligible are offenses requiring sex offender registration, certain serious felonies, and cases where state prison was served (different process applies). The effect of expungement is that you may legally answer “no” to most employment questions about convictions. Recent legislation (AB 1076, SB 731) provides for automatic record relief for certain offenses. An Oxnard criminal defense attorney can evaluate eligibility and file the appropriate petition.