Best Criminal Lawyer in San Bernardino County,CA
Michael A. Scafiddi
Criminal Lawyer
Michael A. Scafiddi has been an attorney licensed to practice in the State of California for twenty-four years (1997). Mr. Scafiddi began his career working as an associate for the Law Offices of William D. Shapiro, who worked exclusively representing plaintiffs with catastrophic injuries and wrongful death matters.
Mr. Scafiddi opened his own office in 2003 in San Bernardino, California, where he handled both personal injury law and criminal defense cases. Since 2003, the Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi has grown and now has seven full time associate lawyers, three of counsel lawyers, and nine staff members, including a calendar clerk, law clerks, case managers, a receptionist, a personal injury civil secretary, and paralegals.
Approximately 95% of the cases handled by the Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi are criminal defense cases, and 25% of the criminal defense cases are felony and misdemeanor DUIs, vehicle manslaughter DUIs, and Watson murder cases. The remaining 5% of cases are plaintiff catastrophic injuries and wrongful death cases. In the past 24 years, the Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi has recovered over Fifty-Seven Million Dollars for his clients through verdicts and settlements.
During this same time period, Mr. Scafiddi has handled well over 1,000 DMV/APS hearings.
Mr. Scafiddi is also greatly involved in the local legal community, having served on the San Bernardino County Bar Association Board of Directors for ten years, and also serving as the President of the San Bernardino County Bar Association from 2008 to 2009. Mr. Scafiddi has also served for the past five years as a member of the Western San Bernardino County Bar Association Board of Directors and is the 2020/2021/2022 President.
Paul J. Wallin, Esq.
Criminal Lawyer
Paul Wallin is one of the most highly respected attorneys in Southern California. His vast experience, zealous advocacy for his clients and extensive knowledge of many areas of the law make Mr. Wallin a premiere Southern California attorney.
Mr. Wallin founded Wallin & Klarich in 1981. As the senior partner of Wallin & Klarich, Mr. Wallin has been successfully representing clients for more than 40 years. Clients come to him for help in matters involving assault and battery, drug crimes, juvenile crimes, theft, manslaughter, sex offenses, murder, violent crimes, misdemeanors and felonies. Mr. Wallin also helps clients with family law matters such as divorce and child custody.
“When someone is accused of a crime, it can seem like the end of the world. Most clients have so many questions about their case,” Mr. Wallin said. “At Wallin & Klarich, we answer all those questions. If you hire our firm, we will do everything in our power to get the best possible result in your case.”
Wallin & Klarich is built upon principles handed down by Mr. Wallin. Those principles include embracing every client as if they are a member of his own family and constantly communicating with each client so that they know every development in their case.
Mr. Wallin knows the legal process can be extremely difficult to navigate, especially when facing severe consequences. Not only does he work tirelessly to fight for our clients’ rights, he also works with our clients so that they can understand the process.
Neil Shouse
Criminal Lawyer
Neil Shouse, California personal injury attorney. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, Mr. Shouse served five years as a Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney. He won 96% of his more than 40 jury trials. Mr. Shouse has been featured as a legal expert on Dr. Phil, CNN, Fox News, Al Jazeera, and Court TV.
Being accused or arrested for a crime does not necessarily mean you will be convicted in court. Shouse Law Group has helped many citizens get charges reduced or dismissed, and keep their records clean.
Shaffer T. Cormell
Criminal Lawyer
Professional & Bar Association Memberships
- California Public Defender’s Association
- California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
- California DUI Lawyers Association
Sarah E. Powell
Criminal Lawyer
A founding partner of Bullard & Powell, APC., Sarah handles both criminal defense matters and runs the civil personal injury division of the law firm. As far as criminal cases go, she handles everything from DUI matters to vehicular manslaughter to grand theft matters. She enjoys going to court everyday and the thinking on one’s feet that is required of most criminal defense attorneys. As far as personal injury matters, Sarah handles cases ranging from car accidents to wrongful death matters. When wearing a personal injury attorney hat, she really enjoys law and motion, in particular, legal research. Sarah loves the human aspect of being an attorney; getting to know her clients and learning about what matters to them most and their cases.If you asked her, Sarah would say that she hails from the great State of Ohio. However, she has grown up all over the country, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and California. In highschool, she developed a love for American history and decided to become a lawyer after learning that many of our country’s most influential fore founders were attorneys. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s degree in history.Growing up, she played softball, eventually working her way towards competitive fast pitch softball.
She excelled at playing the corners and catcher and played on a travel team, in various tournaments throughout the East Coast and even played internationally. At UCSB, she earned a spot on their Division 1 Softball Team.After college graduation, Sarah attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, where she had earned an academic scholarship. There she met her future law partner and husband, Jeff Bullard. The two attended law school together and married two years after graduating. They have two daughters and two dogs.Over the years, Sarah has served on the Board of Directors for both the San Bernardino Bar Association and the San Bernardino Legal Aid Society. Presently, she is active with the Criminal Law Section of the San Bernardino County Bar Association and has been selected to sit as a chairperson. She has been awarded the President’s Award by the State Bar of California and has been recognized by the San Bernardino Legal Aid Society for her work on a case entitled Tina Satterwhite v. Terrance Elliott. In 2013, she was hand selected by the Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire to act as an Attorney Liaison Member to address the closing of local courts and the effect on the community with local politicians. Over the years she has been routinely recognized as either a Rising Star or Super Lawyer in the practice areas of criminal defense and plaintiff personal injury. She holds an AV Preeminent Rating with Martindale Hubbell.Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and loves to garden, cook and read. In the fall, her Saturday mornings are typically filled with college football games. Travel is a must and one of her favorite trips was seeing the Irish play Navy in Dublin, Ireland.
Shaffer T. Cormell
Criminal Lawyer
Justice is blind, but our laws and our court system are influenced by people who are anything but impartial. Overzealous law enforcement personnel and ambitious prosecutors can jeopardize one’s constitutional rights, even when well-intentioned. The only way to ensure fair treatment in our criminal justice system is by putting a powerful ally in your corner. Southwest Legal is ready to be your advocate. We’re here to help.
For more than three decades, we have represented clients in Banning, San Bernardino, Palm Springs, San Diego, El Centro, Indio, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga and throughout the surrounding areas in Southern California. During this time, we have applied ourselves to finding the best outcome for every client, no matter the obstacles or opponents we’ve encountered along the way. This approach has helped us guide people from their darkest moments to better, brighter futures.
Dennis Kuntz
Criminal Lawyer
EDUCATION:
- University of La Verne College of Law, Juris Doctorate
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS:
- California State Bar
- California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ)
Born, raised, and educated in CA, San Bernardino criminal defense lawyer Dennis Kuntz is a Southern California native who is not only well-versed in the local area but knows the laws and how they can greatly affect each local resident. His experience includes interning in a Public Defender’s office while in law school.
After graduation, Attorney Kuntz began working at one of Los Angeles’ largest and most prestigious criminal defense firms, where he was able to hone his practice in a number of complex cases.
Attorney Dennis Kuntz takes pride in doing his job with integrity and honesty and always provides personal attention to every one of his clients. At the Law Office of Dennis Kuntz, you get the personalized attention you deserve because we know that you are not just a case number. More than that, when you hire the firm, you get Mr. Kuntz and are never passed on to a paralegal or junior associate.
Geoff Newman
Criminal Lawyer
Attorney Geoff Newman has been practicing criminal law in San Bernardino County since 1996. He has experience both as a prosecutor and as a defense lawyer, giving him the knowledge of criminal cases from both sides of the courtroom. This means he has a deep knowledge of the laws and the courts, and he can help you devise a solid legal defense for your case.
While all criminal accusations or arrests can be stressful and emotionally devastating, significant charges require the attention of a skilled lawyer. Having Attorney Newman on your side can be the difference between having a voice in court and facing a judge alone.
Legal Rights of Juveniles During Police Interactions in California
Understanding the legal rights of juveniles during police interactions is crucial for protecting their welfare and ensuring fair treatment within the juvenile justice system. In California, specific laws and guidelines govern how minors are treated by law enforcement, emphasizing the need for safeguarding their rights during such encounters.
Overview of Juvenile Rights
Juveniles, defined as individuals under 18 years of age, possess distinct legal rights when interacting with law enforcement. These rights are designed to prevent coercion and ensure that minors are treated fairly. Key rights include:
- Right to Remain Silent: Similar to adults, juveniles have the right to remain silent during police questioning. This right is part of the Miranda warnings that must be provided to all individuals in custody.
- Right to Legal Counsel: Minors have the right to consult with an attorney before being interrogated. If they cannot afford one, the court will appoint a lawyer for them.
- Presence of a Parent or Guardian: California law stipulates that a juvenile has the right to have a parent or legal guardian present during police questioning. This presence serves as a protective measure against potential intimidation.
Miranda Rights for Minors
The Miranda rights apply equally to juveniles; however, the courts recognize that minors may not fully comprehend these rights. Consequently, California courts have ruled that a minor’s age can be considered when evaluating whether they understood their Miranda rights and whether any waiver of these rights was made knowingly and intelligently.
Arrest Procedures for Minors
When a minor is arrested, several procedures must be followed:
- Notification of Parents: Law enforcement must notify the minor’s parent or guardian immediately upon arrest.
- Phone Calls: The minor is allowed to make at least two phone calls within one hour of being arrested, one of which must be to a parent or guardian.
- Options After Arrest: Depending on the severity of the offense, law enforcement has several options:
- Release with a warning.
- Referral to community services.
- Citation back to the police station.
- Detention in juvenile hall if deemed necessary
Juvenile Interrogation Standards
California law emphasizes that any interrogation of a juvenile must be conducted fairly and ethically. The presence of a parent or guardian is crucial during this process, as it helps ensure that the minor’s rights are protected and that they do not feel pressured into making statements against their interest.
Confidentiality of Juvenile Records
One significant aspect of juvenile justice in California is the confidentiality surrounding juvenile records. These records are protected by law, meaning they cannot be disclosed without permission from the juvenile court. This confidentiality aims to prevent stigma and promote rehabilitation rather than punishment for young offenders.
Legal Representation Importance
Having competent legal representation is vital for juveniles navigating interactions with law enforcement. A skilled juvenile defense attorney can advocate for a minor’s rights effectively, ensuring they receive fair treatment throughout the legal process. Attorneys play an essential role in guiding minors through their options after an arrest and protecting their interests in court.
Challenges Faced by Juveniles
Despite existing protections, juveniles often face challenges during police interactions:
- Coercive Interrogations: There are concerns about coercive tactics used by law enforcement during interrogations, which can lead to false confessions from minors who may not fully understand their rights.
- Disparities in Treatment: Studies indicate that young people of color may experience disproportionate rates of profiling and harsher treatment by law enforcement compared to their peers.
Recent Legislative Changes
In recent years, California has enacted laws aimed at strengthening the rights of juveniles during police interactions. These changes focus on ensuring that minors receive adequate notice of charges against them and understand their rights regarding legal counsel and self-incrimination.
Conclusion
The legal rights of juveniles during police interactions in California are designed to protect vulnerable individuals from potential abuses within the justice system. Understanding these rights is crucial for parents, guardians, and advocates working with minors. By ensuring that juveniles are aware of their rights—such as the right to remain silent, the right to legal counsel, and the presence of a guardian during questioning—California aims to foster a more equitable juvenile justice system.As society continues to recognize the unique needs and challenges faced by young people in conflict with the law, ongoing advocacy for reform and education about these rights remains essential for safeguarding their futures.