Criminal Law

Criminal law involves those cases where the government charges individuals with a violation of the law. There are three types of criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, and infraction. The common type of infraction is a traffic ticket. Punishment for an infraction is limited to a fine. Misdemeanors, such as most cases of driving under the influence have a fine and a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail. Those charged with felonies are generally facing a prison sentence of over a year.

Criminal law can be contrasted from civil law. Civil law involves cases where an individual or an entity sues another individual or an entity generaly attempting to get either a financial judgement or a declaratory judgement. Examples of civil cases are when one party in an automobile accident sues another party to the accident for damages or a civil rights suit where an individual sues the government for a violation of their civil rights. Generally the Law Offices of C. Zadik Shapiro does not represent people in civil litigation. But we have excellent lawyers who we work with to make sure that our client get the best service.

The Law Offices of C. Zadik Shapiro handles all types of criminal cases in both Federal and State courts. We represent adults and juveniles in both State and Federal Courts.

We can handle everything from a traffic ticket to a DUI to a Three Strikes or a homicide case.

We regularly represent people throughout the Bay Area and the State. We are well known in the courts both in our home town of San Francisco, and in the counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Solono, Somoma, and Alameda. We have represented people from Eureka in Northern California to Orange County, San Diego, and Los Angeles in the South. Together with local counsel we can represent you in any state in the Union.

We represent people, not only at the trial level, but on appeal in both State Courts and Federal Courts. In addition to criminal cases we represent people in related cases, such as asset forfeiture, parole hearings, writs of habeas corpus, and restraining orders.