ARRESTED IN SANTA ANA? PUT MY EXPERIENCE ON YOUR SIDE

CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA

Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County, and it is where many of the county's most serious criminal cases are decided. The Orange County District Attorney's main office, the county's central jail facilities, and the Central Justice Center are all in Santa Ana. If you were arrested here, you are dealing with the busiest part of the Orange County criminal justice system. You need a defense lawyer who works in it every week.

McCready Law Group has an office in Santa Ana at 2030 E 4th St. That means I can meet with you quickly, visit clients in custody, and appear in court without delay. I have defended people in Santa Ana against charges ranging from first-time misdemeanors to serious felonies.

Criminal Charges I Defend in Santa Ana

Santa Ana Police Department and other agencies bring a wide range of cases into the Santa Ana courts. I regularly handle:

DUI under Vehicle Code 23152, including cases involving drugs, high blood alcohol, or an accident
Domestic violence, including corporal injury to a spouse or partner (Penal Code 273.5) and domestic battery (Penal Code 243(e)(1))
Drug charges, from simple possession to possession for sale under Health and Safety Code 11351 and 11378
Assault and battery, including assault with a deadly weapon under Penal Code 245
Theft and burglary, including shoplifting, grand theft, and commercial burglary
Weapons charges, gang allegations, and other violent felonies
Probation violations and warrants from older cases

Where Santa Ana Criminal Cases Are Heard

Most adult criminal cases from Santa Ana are heard at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West. Many serious felonies from across Orange County are also filed there, so the courthouse is busy and the prosecutors handle large caseloads. Juvenile cases are heard at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in the City of Orange.

If you were booked into the Orange County jail, your first court date, the arraignment, generally has to happen within 48 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. Bail, release conditions, and early plea offers are often decided at this hearing. Having a lawyer there from the start can change the direction of your case.

How I Defend Santa Ana Cases

I spent eight years as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department before becoming a defense attorney. I know what a lawful stop, search, and arrest should look like, and I know how to spot when an officer cut corners. In every case, I look at:

Whether police had a legal reason to stop, detain, or search you
Whether your statements were taken in violation of your Miranda rights
Whether body camera footage matches the police report
Whether witnesses, lab results, or breath tests are reliable
Whether you qualify for diversion, such as drug diversion (Penal Code 1000), mental health diversion (Penal Code 1001.36), or military diversion (Penal Code 1001.80)

When the evidence was gathered illegally, I file motions to suppress it. When a negotiated outcome is in your interest, I push for reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or a dismissal after diversion. When the case should go to trial, I prepare it for trial.

Talk to a Santa Ana Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Santa Ana, do not wait to get help. The sooner I am involved, the more I can do to protect your rights and build your defense. Call McCready Law Group at (714) 785-9978 or send me a message to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I call a lawyer after an arrest in Santa Ana?

As soon as possible, ideally before your first court date. An attorney can argue for your release at arraignment, contact the prosecutor early, and preserve evidence such as surveillance video before it is erased.

Do you have an office in Santa Ana?

Yes. McCready Law Group has an office at 2030 E 4th St, Suite C-233, Santa Ana, CA 92705, close to the Central Justice Center.

Can a felony charge in Santa Ana be reduced to a misdemeanor?

Many California crimes are "wobblers," which means they can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Depending on the facts and your record, I may be able to negotiate a reduction or ask the court to reduce the charge under Penal Code 17(b).

Other Areas I Serve

I also represent clients arrested or charged with a crime in these nearby cities:

Also Serving Santa Ana

See all service areas or learn more about my criminal defense practice.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER SERVING SANTA ANA

At McCready Law Group, I fight for people arrested or charged with a crime in Santa Ana and throughout Orange County. I bring eight years of experience as a Los Angeles Police Department officer to every case, and I give each client honest advice and personal attention. Call (714) 785-9978 to discuss your case.