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James Rankin Gass
also known as Jim Gass
About James
Biography
James R. Gass, Attorney At Law seeks to provide excellent, personalized service to those facing criminal investigation and prosecution throughout Southern California. In the last 25 years, Mr. Gass has won more felony jury trials than any other attorney in San Bernardino County.
Practice Areas
10
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
50%
35 years | 3,000 cases
DUI and DWI
25%
35 years | 500 cases
Federal Crime
15%
29 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 35 years
State: California
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Attorney at Law
1200 Nevada St Ste 101, Redlands, CA, 92374
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James Rankin Gass's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
43 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (43)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Punctuality
Posted by Nick | July 06, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Great Lawyer
Jim is there for you when an unfortunate situation occurs. My family gave him a call when I was in trouble. He was honest about the kind of trouble I was in, the uphill battle we had with the DA, and advice to help my case. He was reliable and present at all my court dates. Court days are some of th...
Posted by Anthony | September 13, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Amazing Job Done.!
Best Lawyer hands down. On time. Reliable. And did the best work i can possibly ask for.
Posted by Kristine | March 14, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Do not waste your money!
I hired James gass in May of 2016 on behalf of my father who was incarcerated at the time. James Gass charged me $4000 to represent my father i was also able to bail my father out at the same time. James Gass missed a few of my father's court dates and when he did show up never fought for my fathe...
James Gass
Replied last March 14, 2017Most of what this young lady says is true, but lacks context. Here are the relevant facts. The 56 year old defendant was a registered sex offender. He had four prior convictions for child molesting. He was charged in his pending case with molesting two more boys. When questioned by the police he admitted that all of the allegations against him were true. His confession is recorded. He said that he had been molesting children for decades. He was eligible for life sentences several different ways. His bail was inadvertently set way too low. The prosecutor said that she would ask to have it raised after the preliminary hearing. There was no offer from the prosecutor on the case. I urge most defendants facing life in prison to make an offer to the prosecutor if there is a chance that a jury will convict the defendant. In this case a conviction is essentially a certainty. The defendant was aware that he was likely going into custody after the preliminary hearing. I was able to continue the preliminary hearing for over six months by being in trial on other cases. That kept the defendant out of custody on bail, which is what he wanted, but sometimes when I was in trial and keeping him out of custody I had other attorneys appear for me. That is a common and necessary practice. The specific allegations are addressed as follows: 1. Missed court dates. Explained above. 2. Told him to take a deal. I tell any client who confesses on tape to take a deal. No deal was offered. 3. Gass quits. We had a written agreement which included an additional fee for trial. I was not retained for trial. That was not my choice, and I did not want to take any more of this young ladies money. She clearly did not want to hire me to do the trial. The case is hopeless and I was unwilling to sell her false hope. 4. Raised bail. I objected to the bail increase, but the judge set the bail according to the bail schedule, as every judge in the country would have, no matter who the defense attorney was. 5. Trial fees. No prosecutor could loose this case in trial, and no defense attorney could win it. I wasn't even interested in trying the case if I got paid to do the trial, and certainly was not going to do it without getting paid. Nor was I willing to lie and pretend that I could win the case if more money was provided. I sell hope when there is a chance. When there is no chance, there is no hope. This defendant should avoid a trial, and his family should avoid spending any more money on attorneys. Perhaps a public defender can convince him to plead guilty. I did all I could for him. His dire circumstances are self imposed. 6. Lack of communication. I never received any email from any family member. I responded promptly to every text or call.
James Rankin Gass's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. He has a wealth of legal knowledge and fights to get the best results for his clients."
"Jim Gass is a very experienced and excellent lawyer. We have done co-defendant cases together, and I have always found Jim to be very professional, trustworthy, hardworking and diligent."
"I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. He's very thorough and knowledgeable about criminal law."
"I clerked for Mr. Gass in 1996 and he supervised my first Jury Trial. I additionally handled several dozen hearings (both Prelims and Trials) where Mr. Gass represented co-defendants. Mr. Gass has handled a number of matters for me through special appearances and, at a point where I was wrongly accused in a criminal case (that was ultimately dismissed), I was set to have Mr. Gass handle my own Jury Trial. Throughout the 18+ years that I have known him, I have found Mr. Gass to be extraordinarily professional. I believe that Jim's strongest asset is his ability to make jurors see him as being one of them...very down to earth. I cannot overemphasize the benefit of having your jurors identify with your lawyer. Jim comes across as someone that jurors can trust and his track record at trial shows that. Prosecutors know that Jim DELIVERS (so they respect him) but, he isn't arrogant so prosecutors feel comfortable dealing his cases. Jim Gass is a low-key ultra-competent hired-gun."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I have known Jim for decades and watched him in many trials, taking on difficult cases with vim and vigor. He know how to win! I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Gass is an excellent attorney. He is professional, knowledgeable, dedicated and compassionate. He is one of the best trial attorneys I've witnessed, and he makes time to communicate with his clients. I endorse this lawyer!"
"Mr. Gass is likely the finest criminal defense attorney in the Inland Empire and (possibly) the whole of Southern California. His knowledge of the law is surpassed only by the personalized efforts he makes for his clients. I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer!"
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Experience
Honors
2019
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year, San Bernardino Sun
2014
Readers Choice Top Attorney, San Bernardino Sun
Work Experience
1991 - Present
Owner, James R. Gass, Attorney at Law
2006 - 2007
Judge Pro Tem, Fontana County Superior Court
Associations
1991 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
Education
1990
Simon Greenleaf School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1986
University of Alaska - Fairbanks
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2019
Career Day
Career in Law
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How do you get a coroners manner of death ruling changed?
06 Jan 2016
Q&A
My fiancee is in the Modesto County Jail facing these charges: Charge: 273.5(A) PC, Charge: 245(A)(4) PC, Charge: MEMO (?)
05 May 2014