I am a Fresno based government investigations attorney and criminal defense attorney, dedicated to providing the highest level of legal service.
I represent people who are accused of crimes in California courts and in Federal courts throughout the United States. I handle all types of criminal cases, including white collar crimes, drug crimes, crimes of violence, and other criminal matters. I also represent people who are being investigated for crimes but have not yet been charged with a crime.
For those persons who are charged with or convicted of a crime and who hold a professional license, such as physicians, attorneys, nurses, contractors and others, I also handle administrative matters regarding licensing penalties.
I have been featured on five national television shows related to my work in criminal law. These include In Ice Cold Blood, American Justice, Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice, Forensic Files, and on Solved. I am certified by the California State Bar as a Criminal Law Specialist. I am AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating given to any attorney for legal ability and ethics. I have also been listed in Northern California Super Lawyers from 2009-2019, and in Northern California Super Lawyers Top 100 in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
I am admitted to practice in California, and in federal courts, including the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.
My goal is to provide representation to clients in the manner I'd want to receive if I was the client. To me, this means returning telephone calls, keeping the client advised, and providing legal service that results in the best possible outcome to the client. It means not rushing clients through meetings and making sure the client gets his or her questions answered completely.
Should you find yourself in the position of being investigated for or charged with a crime, I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you about your matter.
Recent federal case results:
United States v. Carmen C. (2018 case that was sentenced in 2019) – Client charged with drug conspiracy charges with 10 year mandatory minimum. Case settled for probation on a phone count with no jail time.
United States v. M. Williams (December 2017 arrest and case was sentenced in 2019) – Client charged with fraud of more than $500,000. Client sentenced to probation with no jail time.
United States v. Basil H. (2017 Indictment that was resolved in 2019) – Physician charged with medical billing fraud. Case resolved with a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with no admission of liability on the client’s part and no action on his medical license.
United States v. A. Pedraza (2018 Indictment that was sentenced in 2019) – Client charged with distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana. Client sentenced to probation with no jail time.
United States v. C. Farooq (2016 Indictment with sentencing in 2019) – Client charged with distribution of illegal drugs on Alpha Bay, a cryptocurrency site on the dark web. Client received a sentence of 23 months prison. A similarly situated co-defendant was sentenced to 78 months prison.
California state court cases and investigations:
People v. Gregory O. (Case filed in 2016 in Merced County with sentencing in 2019) – Client charged with four counts of bribing a public official and one count of a Government Code violation. Case settled with all bribery counts dismissed and client sentenced to felony probation on the Government Code violation with electronic monitor and no actual jail time.
People v. M. Borunda (Case filed in 2018 in Fresno County with sentencing in 2019) – Client charged with felony DUI (4th DUI in 10 years). Client sentenced to felony probation and 138 days of custody, which were served on house arrest wearing a SCRAMx ankle monitor. (SCRAMx is an ankle monitor that detects alcohol usage and also tracks location. Judge allowed house arrest in place of actual jail time.)
People v. Michael K. (Case filed in Fresno County in 2018 and was sentenced in 2019) – Client is a physician who was charged with a misdemeanor DUI. Case settled for probation on a wet reckless (lower level DUI) with no jail time and no community service. As is required by the Medical Board, the case was reported to the board within 30 days. The board advised that no action would be taken (No Accusation and no public or private reproval.)
Prefiling investigation in Fresno County in 2019 – James A – Client is a physician who was alleged to have inappropriately touched a patient during an examination. Client interviewed with law enforcement with attorney present. Client and attorney informed by law enforcement at the conclusion of the interview that no crime occurred and that the matter would not be referred to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Client retained his position as a physician at a hospital and he was not required to report the investigation to the Medical Board.