While I was always interested in a legal career as I grew up and went through my years of education, it was not until I became quite involved in the civil rights movement during the 1960’s that I really began to understand how absolutely vital it was to protect the individual rights of citizens. This is especially true for persons charged with a criminal offense.
People ask how I can represent “guilty” people, or those persons accused of serious crimes. The fact is I am proud and honored to do so because I deeply believe in the principles of the United States Constitution. Specifically, the Bill of Rights with its Sixth Amendment provides that all accused persons are to have the assistance of counsel for their defense. The role of a criminal defense attorney was actually deemed so important by the Founding Fathers that it was written into the guarantees of the United States Constitution. Few people can say that their job is a requirement of the basic law of our land.
John Adams, the second President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers, reflected on his life when he was well into old age and stated one of his greatest services to his country was to successfully defend British soldiers accused of murder of American Colonists in the Boston Massacre. He defended the soldiers at great peril to his political future and even his life due to the enormous unpopularity of the British Army at that time. Adams understood that the principles of a fair trial and vigorous advocacy regardless of the charges and the social status of the accused was vital to the integrity of the American democracy that he was helping to form.
That spirit and zeal are central to the ideas that drew me to becoming a criminal defense lawyer and have propelled me along this career for the past forty years.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
Wesley Schroeder, Attorney At Law
181 Devine St
San Jose, CA, 95110
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1974 | 02/07/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers Association | 2015 |
BV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
BV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Wesley J. Schroeder, Attorney At Law | 1981 - Present |
Instructor in Criminal Law for Paralegal Program | Santa Clara University School Of Law | 2014 - 2014 |
Judge Pro Tem, Small Claims & Traffic | Santa Clara County Court | 2014 - 2014 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice | Attorney Member | 1995 - Present |
Santa Clara County Sentencing Alternative Program | Board of Directors | 1990 - Present |
California Public Defenders Association | Attorney Member | 1974 - Present |
Santa Clara County Bar Association, Judiciary Committee | Attorney Member | N/A |
Santa Clara County Bar Association | Attorney Member | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of California at Davis School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1971 |
Whitman College | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1967 |
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Edward Ajlouny, Criminal defense Attorney on May 16, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Richard Wingerden, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 15, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the opportunity to witness his work in the courtroom and have found him to be diligent and hardworking. He is well respected in the legal community.
Edward Ajlouny, Criminal defense Attorney on May 16, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Richard Wingerden, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 15, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the opportunity to witness his work in the courtroom and have found him to be diligent and hardworking. He is well respected in the legal community.
Mark Hostetter, Unknown Attorney on Sep 2, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Javier Rios, Criminal defense Attorney on May 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Wes Schroeder is a well known and respected trial attorney. I have seen him in the local courts many times over the past twenty six years that I have been an attorney. He knows criminal law backward and forward, inside and out. If he gives you legal advice, take it. He also fights hard for his clients. He does not just talk the talk. He walks the walk; he will go to the mat on cases, no matter how serious, no matter how challenging. He also manages to aggressively represent his clients and still be a gentleman. I most certainly endorse this attorney.
Dennis Fitzpatrick, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 2, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Wes is an aggressive advocate for his clients. He is effective as a litigator inside the courtroom and out. I have worked with Wes and was impressed with his hard work, knowledge of the law, and ethics as a criminal defense attorney. I endorse this lawyer.
Guerin Provini, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 28, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Wes is a highly experienced criminal lawyer who is a skilled and paasionate advocate for his clients..
Stuart Kirchick, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 13, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer 100%. Wes is a hard working aggressive attorney. He is as honest as they come and will be your advocate. Wes is very well respected amongst his peers, the District Attorneys' office and the bench.
Paul Upton, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 12, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Wes “cut his teeth” as a public defender. He has been in private practice for many years. He is experienced, smart, aggressive when he needs to be, and is is a true advocate for his clients. If someone is in need of a very good criminal defense attorney, Wes meets that criteria! Also, Wes does not shy away from very difficult cases.
Albie Jachimowicz, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Wes is the consummate professional. His reputation for representing criminal defendants is immaculate. I have been co counsel with Wes in high profile, extremely serious criminal matters. If I were in difficulty I would not hesitate to retain Wes to represent me and expect the best result possible.
Steven Nakano, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Wesley Schroeder is highly respected by judges, prosecutors and fellow criminal defense attorneys in Santa Clara County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We have represented co-defendants in very serious felony criminal cases. "Wes" Schroeder is always prepared and represents his clients with the highest level of integrity and competence. He is a great negotiator. And when prosecutors are not willing to "deal," he knows how to fight a case.