Top Oregon Criminal Lawyers

Choose a Professional Oregon Criminal Lawyer - Right Now

Getting charged with a state criminal offense like fraud or DUI can be concerning and you are probably trying to figure out what to do. You may be wondering who will listen to your side of the story, what your rights are, what affect this may have on your personal life, and where you can turn for help.

As soon as you can, you should speak with a lawyer. Having a Oregon criminal lawyer on your side can help eliminate costly mistakes and lessen the chances of harsh consequences. Remember, it is totally within your rights to speak with a criminal lawyer before you speak with authorities. The sooner you can meet with a Oregon criminal attorney, the better off you will be. Keep in mind that not everyone who is charged with a state offense will be found guilty. Having a qualified and professional criminal lawyer can protect you and your family by explaining the options you have, including your rights. Many attorneys will even offer free advice at the start so you can more easily plan your next steps.

Do you Need a Professional Criminal Lawyer for State Charges?

Our professional, veteran criminal lawyers have experience in a wide variety of cases ranging from drugs to fraud to domestic violence. We have highly-qualified lawyers on our team that focus in areas criminal defense such as aggravated assault, theft, kidnapping, probation violations, manslaughter and many more.

There is really no time to waste. It doesn’t matter if you have already been charged or even if you have done something that you are expecting charges for, the longer you put off getting an attorney on your side the fewer options you will have. Our Oregon attorneys understand the way state laws work and can give you excellent advice during your consultation.

We Can Help You with DUI Charges

One of the most common charges that are placed against someone is a DUI charge. The consequences of such a charge can really run the gamut and can include anything from a night in jail and a forced alcohol education class to a heavy fine and loss of your driver’s license. Our attorneys have the knowledge of state laws that is needed to fight for you in a DUI case. We can help you do things like figure out whether or not you qualify as a first offender, explain any fines and other penalties you may face, discuss how this charge could affect other parts of your life like your job or insurance standing, and explain how you can plan a great defense along with expert assistance from our attorneys.

We Focus on Particular Areas of the Law

One thing that we can offer to our clients is our intense concentration in certain areas of the law. Our Oregoncriminal defense lawyers focus on specific areas which allow them to build a very strong knowledge base and extensive experience in particular case types. Our attorneys have the knowhow that is needed when it comes to Oregon laws regarding your personal criminal case, and they will determine a good strategy for your defense based on this knowledge. We will be able to partner you with the top criminal defense lawyer to meet your needs.

Wondering What to Expect from Your Lawyer?

You will be able to get a free initial consultation with your criminal lawyer during which you will meet with him or her to talk about your case. Your lawyer will share their knowledge with you about the charges at hand and talk about your defense options. It is important that during this consultation and at all subsequent meetings with your lawyer that you are honest. Your lawyer will keep all information given to them confidential and their duty is to represent your best interests. You should take the advice of your lawyer and understand that you may need to be patient during this process in order to optimize your defense.

We Have the Reputation You Need

In cases like this, reputation will definitely count. Our criminal lawyers are members of various professional associations like the National Associate of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Their professional histories are easy to track and you will be able to view their successes just by doing a small amount of research. Our lawyers have been painstakingly vetted in order to provide high quality service for our clients.

We are Lawyers That You Can Trust

When choosing a lawyer you should find one who will competently and earnestly fight for your best interests. He or she will build trust with you, only engage in ethical practices and always show confidence in your case. Our Oregon attorneys will present you with several methods to handle your case.

Avoid more problems by finding a Oregon attorney as soon as you can. Their expert assistance will not only protect your rights but give you increased peace of mind as well. Call us today.

Are You Facing Criminal Charges in Oregon?

For many people, dealing with the Oregon criminal justice process can be a confusing and chaotic experience. Not only is this overwhelming for you, it can be counterproductive for your criminal defense. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be the inevitable path of your criminal case. By hiring an experienced criminal defense law firm in Oregon or choosing a solo practitioner whose focus is on criminal law, you can build a defense that is strategic, coherent, and effective.

Your best defense strategy begins with clear knowledge of Oregon criminal laws. Every criminal activity that is prohibited at the state level is described in the Oregon Revised Statutes. These statutes provide a definition of the crime, the actions or behaviors that comprise each one, and also the classification of every offense.

Every Oregon crime is categorized as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes that are punished by no more than one year in jail. As more severe crimes, felonies carry more significant punishments. In Oregon, the harshest potential punishment is the death penalty and, today, capital punishment is reserved for individuals convicted of the most egregious and heinous crimes.

Both felonies and misdemeanors are further divided into narrower rankings. In Oregon, a misdemeanor can be a Class A, Class B, or Class C offense. Similarly, felonies are designated as Class A, Class B, or Class C. These classifications provide a better idea of the severity and potential punishment for a particular crime.

Locate a criminal defense attorney in Oregon here.

Five Common Crimes Charged in Oregon

Most people understand crimes only as they are portrayed in movies and played out on the nightly news. Yet, the legal definition of a particular crime can be very different than what you see on television. What factors constitute a particular crime and how the prosecutor determines which charges to bring against an accused individual requires a certain depth of criminal knowledge. These variables determine how a criminal statute can be applied to your case, and that is impossible to know without assessment by a competent attorney.

If you have questions regarding the most common crimes in Oregon, or any other criminal charges, contact an Oregon defense attorney from Criminal Lawyer.

Burglary

Many individuals confuse burglary with other theft crimes – such as robbery – but, in fact, burglary might have nothing to do with stealing. Oregon law prohibits any individual from entering or remaining on the property of another person without permission – otherwise known as trespass – and it is considered burglary to do so with the intent to commit a crime. That crime doesn’t have to be theft, although it is common for a robbery defense attorney or theft lawyer to also handle burglary defense.

The state of Oregon has laws that address the offense of burglary in a simple and straightforward manner; yet, upon conviction, punishment for the crime can be very harsh. Oregon imposes substantial penalties for burglary. If this is the extent of the criminal actions, the individual is charged with burglary in the second degree, which is a Class C felony. In Oregon, Class C felonies are punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years.

In specific circumstances, burglary can also be charged as a more serious offense, known as burglary in the first degree. These heightened charges are brought when the individual:

• Committed burglary while armed with a burglary tool or device or with a deadly weapon
• Caused physical injury or attempted to cause physical injury during the commission of a burglary
• Used or threatened to use a dangerous weapon during a burglary

Burglary in the first degree is a Class A felony. As such, it is among the most serious crimes committed in Oregon, and first-degree burglary can be punished by a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Find a top burglary defense lawyer in Oregon.

Sexual Abuse

In the Oregon Revised Statutes, several laws address sexual offenses. These laws criminalize rape, sodomy, sex with a minor, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and similar crimes dealing with the heightened circumstances that occur if a minor is involved as a victim of such crimes.

Among these crimes, rape and sodomy are the most serious, and both are felonies. Rape or sodomy can be charged in either the first, second, or third degree, with rape in the first degree being the most heinous of sexual offenses. Rape or sodomy in the first degree is a Class A felony, punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Less severe, but more commonly charged, is the crime of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is defined as sexual contact to which the victim does not consent, or cannot consent because of being a minor. It is also considered sexual assault to propel any object at the victim for the purpose of sexual gratification.

Sexual abuse is charged in varying degrees based on the degree of harm suffered by the victim, the identity of the victim, and other specific circumstances of the crime. Sexual abuse can be charged in the first, second, or third degree, and knowing which degree is appropriate pertaining to specific behaviors or actions is an extremely important element of your sexual abuse defense.

Sexual abuse in the third degree is the default offense. That simply means that, absent aggravating circumstances, this is the usual criminal charge under Oregon law. Sexual abuse in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor, which can mean that a convicted person will serve up to one year in jail.

Sexual abuse in the second degree is a heightened offense, and two distinct circumstances can lead prosecutors to bring this criminal charge under Oregon law. The first occurs if the actor commits sexual assault when the victim is subjected to sexual intercourse, deviant sexual intercourse, or sodomy without consent. The second scenario is one in which the actor is over the age of 21 and is the coach of the victim. These are Class C felonies, punishable by four years in prison.

Lastly, sexual abuse in the first degree is the most serious sexual abuse charge. It is sexual abuse in the first degree when the actor:

• Commits sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 14
• Uses force to commit the non-consensual sexual contact
• Commits sexual abuse upon a victim who cannot consent due to mental incompetence or physical helplessness

Sexual assault in the first degree is also charged when the actor intentionally causes a victim under the age of 18 to touch the mouth or other parts of an animal for the sexual gratification of the actor. First-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony, which can be punished by 10 years in prison.

Find a sexual abuse attorney in Oregon for your defense.

DUI

Driving while one is impaired due the presence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any combination of these in your system is considered driving under the influence (DUI). DUI is called a statutory crime because simply being above the legal limit for consumption of alcohol, or any controlled substance makes your actions a crime. There is no need for the presence of intent or any other elements.

In Oregon, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. Driving with a BAC that measures at or above 0.08% is considered DUI. As in other states, the BAC of a driver suspected of being impaired is determined by use of a breathalyzer. Similarly,  if your driving is impaired by the presence of controlled substances in your system, as proven by a verified device, you can be charged with DUI.

DUI in Oregon is subject to such administrative penalties as suspension or permanent loss of a driving license, and other criminal punishments. The criminal penalties for DUI in Oregon include mandatory minimum incarceration periods. The length of this mandatory minimum, and the severity of any other imposed penalties is determined by specific factors, including the BAC of the driver, whether a minor was in the vehicle, and whether the individual has prior DUI convictions.

First-time and second-time offenders in Oregon must serve a minimum of two days in jail unless the court substitutes 80 hours of community service for this jail time. A criminal fine of $1,000 is also charged. For first-time offenders with a BAC that measures above 0.15%, or in the case of other aggravating circumstances, the fines assessed as punishment are increased.

Individuals who have accumulated three or more DUI convictions within a 10-year period face more stringent punishments and fines. Conviction of a third or subsequent DUI could mean a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000 if aggravating circumstances, such as a minor being present in the vehicle, are involved.

In all instances, DUI charges must be taken seriously. Even first-time offenders in Oregon can see their lives significantly impacted by a conviction for DUI, but a DUI lawyer in Oregon can provide advice about the best possible defense to these charges.

Find a top DUI defense attorney in Oregon.

Arson

As in every other state, it is a crime in Oregon to deliberately start a fire or create an explosion for the purpose of damaging property. This means that accidental fires and explosions are not arson except in certain cases. Oregon law contains an additional arson-related statute that addresses reckless burning. Reckless burning is a less severe crime than arson in which a person who recklessly damages the property of another person, either by fire or explosion, can be criminally charged. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor which can result in a one-year jail sentence.

Generally however, many cases of arson fall under the more serious offense which can be charged in either the first or second degree. Second degree arson is a Class C felony, and it is defined as intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion to damage a building belonging to another person when the property is not protected or if the resulting property damage exceeds $750. Additionally, it is considered arson in the second degree to cause an explosion by knowingly engaging in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Arson in the first degree is the most serious of these offenses. It is defined as arson of the protected property belonging to a person or committing arson that recklessly places another person in danger of physical injury or protected property in danger of damage. It is also a crime of arson in the first degree to recklessly cause injury to a firefighter or other first responder, or to cause a fire or explosion during the known production of methamphetamine.

Arson in the first degree is a Class A felony, and it is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Find a top arson attorney in Oregon.

Identity Theft

While identity theft has been a crime for a long time, the advancement of technology has greatly increased the occurrence of this crime. In Oregon, identity theft has risen to become one of the most commonly charged crimes in the state. Because of its prevalence, identity theft is severely punished in the state. Added to the state laws, federal laws also criminalize identity theft and impose punishments. That means, in certain instances, an individual could be charged under both state and federal laws.

Identity theft in Oregon is defined as the unlawful use of the personal information of another to commit fraud or another crime. Identity theft is a Class C felony in the state of Oregon and, while there is no specifically mandated punishment for identity theft, a convicted defendant is likely to serve a minimum of 13 months in jail. However, Class C felonies can result in much higher prison sentences – potentially as long as five years.

In certain circumstances, identity theft is charged as a Class B felony. Circumstances that will warrant bringing these more serious charges include:

• Repeated convictions for identity theft within the past 180 days
• A previous conviction of this heightened form of identity theft at any point in the past
• Causing the victim to suffer losses in excess of $10,000
• Identity theft from 10 or more individuals

Also known as aggravated identity theft, this Class B felony might result in a convicted individual receiving a sentence of 10 years in prison. 

Find experienced Oregon theft crime attorneys.

Other Crimes

The Oregon criminal defense lawyers who comprise Criminal Lawyer are prepared to defend a variety of crimes in Oregon. Our experience is not limited to the most common crimes in the state, and extends to defense of federal crimes and appellate level defense. Whether you are seeking a lawyer for defense against such serious charges as murder, or a less severe misdemeanor such as possession of a controlled substance, we can help.

Importance of an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Not only does a strong defense require a clear understanding and active participation of the defendant, but it also demands a clear strategy and broad knowledge on the part of a criminal defense attorney in Oregon. These legal skills come only from prior experience with substantially similar cases. Therefore, when you are looking for a criminal lawyer, consider the types of cases the lawyer or criminal defense law firm in Oregon has handled in the past. Take note of the focus of a particular attorney when it comes to a specific crime and choose lawyers who have an established record of success in cases similar to yours. Most of all, be certain to choose a lawyer you can trust.

If you don’t know where to turn for an Oregon criminal defense lawyer with these qualities, turn to us.

Learn more about experienced Oregon attorneys and their practices.

[Disclaimer – this is not legal advice.]