Fresno Criminal Lawyer Blog

This blog article discusses some recent victories obtained by Fresno Criminal and DUI Attorney Michael E. Mitchell. We highlight some of the awesome results we've obtained for our clients in Fresno and in the surrounding counties.

Misdemeanor sentences run consecutively can be worse than a felony sentence, its important to watch out where there are multiple misdemeanor sentences, because a judge can order the sentences run fully consecutive with no reduction, unlike felonies that are run consecutively.

The 90 Day Diagnostic is a useful tool used by the court to get the opinion and evaluation of the California Department of Corrections whether an individual is a suitable candidate for probation or should be sentenced to state prison. This option is employed when the court is unwilling to initially offer a probation sentence due to the criminality of the defendant or the seriousness of the charges.

This is interesting. Starting in mid-September of this year, auto manufacturers will be allowed to use California roads for vehicle tests involving self-driving cars. After much deliberation, the DMV has come up with regulations on the testing of these vehicles. It's likely that at some point soon, they'll also issue rules to the general public.

It's been all over the news here in Fresno, and perhaps it's time a Fresno criminal lawyer talks about it and gives expert interpretation. It was a tragic event that deserves to be chronicled, in a situation that is difficult for everyone involved. In late January, around 6 P.M. there was a fatal crash. A man was driving drunk in his red, Chevy minivan, ran a stop sign in which he hit one motorist, continued around the turn and as he drove down McCall, he drifted into the lane of an oncoming car. In that car were four women. All four sisters who grew up in Del Rey. Three died as a result of the crash. The fourth, the driver, in critical condition and taken to the hospital.

Justin Bieber's recent arrest for DUI, racing and other charges raises a familiar spectacle that happens all to often when it comes to DUI related charges. Many DUI and criminal charges in general can result in terrible immigration consequences. Since Justin Bieber is a Canadian citizen on an entertainer's visa, his recent antics could end up resulting in his visa being revoked or denied if he were to reapply in the future.

On Monday, we won another DUI case in the Fresno County Superior Court. After filing a motion to suppress based upon an unlawful stop, the Honorable Judge Dennis Peterson granted our motion. The issue at hand was that the CHP Officer saw our client come to a "skidding stop." He also heard the tires screech prior to witnessing our client's vehicle come to a rest. His reason for pulling our client over was that our client had "abruptly braked" and there was no other traffic at the time.

A fight outside of the Elbow Room Restaurant in Fig Garden Village has left two 24-year-old men in serious trouble. One man, the victim of the fight, is dealing with serious medical consequences. The second is facing very dire legal fallout.

People take different forms of technology along with them when they drive, most typically cellphones and other mobile devices. While drivers should always take care to follow traffic laws and not let themselves get distracted on the road (as distraction could lead to fatal or otherwise serious collisions), they should be allowed to use these devices legally and responsibly.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of DUI in late November during a "routine" DUI checkpoint in Visalia, police reported. These checkpoints are somewhat controversial. Although everyone is in favor of public safety, a good argument can be made that checkpoints like this intrude on the privacy and civil liberties of law-abiding people, and that those costs outweigh the small public-safety benefit they usually grant.