Melanie N. Roe - Riverside Criminal Defense Lawyer

Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney

Unfortunately, a criminal charge can lead to severe immediate and long-term consequences, including heavy fines, potential incarceration, court fees, and a permanent criminal record. If you’re facing criminal charges, you should seek counsel with a Riverside criminal defense lawyer who has the necessary experience to offer you answers to the questions you may have about your case.

With the right attorney on your side, you stand a better chance of having your charges dropped or reduced, which can have a considerable impact on your life. If you want a skilled lawyer to discuss your options, Melanie Roe For The Defense is ready to help. With more than three decades of criminal defense trial experience and a reputation for excellence, she can assist you with your situation.

Types of Criminal Defense Cases

There are many different types of criminal defense cases that often require the help of a criminal defense lawyer. A few that we can assist you with include the following:

• Drug offenses: In California, drug offenses constitute one of the largest categories of misdemeanor arrests. In 2024, there were around 140,000 drug arrests recorded.
• Felonies: There were an estimated 3,000 more felony arrests in California in 2024 than in 2023, bringing the total to 261,400.
• Violent offenses: In 2024, violent offenses had a bigger share of felony arrests in CA than in 2023. The 2024 figures indicate 39.6% of cases were violent offenses. 2023 stats show 38.2% of cases were violent offenses.
• Theft offenses: Shoplifting theft offenses are up 47.5% in California compared to 2019, with 2024 seeing a 13.8% increase.
• Weapons offenses: An estimated 8.1% of all felonies in California in 2024 were weapons-related offenses.

Additionally, other criminal offenses that might require a Riverside criminal defense attorney include cases involving gang crimes, police misconduct, sex crimes, DUI charges, misdemeanors, white collar crimes, and homicide. Contact Melanie Roe For The Defense to discuss your matter.

Common Riverside Criminal Defenses

It’s important to learn all you can about the criminal defense options at your disposal. Some of the common defenses that may be used, depending on the specifics of your case, include:

• Self-defense
• Insanity
• Alibi
• Entrapment
• Necessity
• Innocence
• Lack of intent
• Duress or coercion

​Usually, a criminal defense case moves from investigation and arrest to arraignment, where your charges are read, and you enter your plea. Then your attorney can review evidence in discovery, file pre-trial motions, and engage in plea bargaining. At Melanie Roe For The Defense, we can help you understand this process and guide you toward your next steps.

How Can Our Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney Help?

In Riverside, California, felonies can carry potential low-, mid-, and high-term prison sentences, probation, and fines. On the other hand, misdemeanors can result in jail time, probation, or fines. With this in mind, the team at Melanie Roe For The Defense can help you:

• Identify law enforcement mistakes: Melanie Roe For The Defense can determine whether mistakes were made during the investigation of your case. We understand that at times it might not seem like it, but law enforcement officers are only human and can make errors in procedure and judgment. Should this have happened, we can help you prove your innocence.

• Coordinate your defense: The team at Melanie Roe For The Defense has been providing legal assistance for decades, and we understand the value of conducting a thorough investigation. We can help you uncover evidence to support your defense and help you build your case.

• Negotiate your case: At Melanie Roe For The Defense, we can help negotiate your case with judges and prosecutors since we understand the local criminal defense laws. Since Melanie Roe has handled the full spectrum of criminal defense cases. She understands the Riverside legal system and can use that knowledge to your advantage.

FAQs About Riverside, CA Criminal Defense Law

What Is the Difference Between a Lawyer and a Defense Attorney?

The main difference between a lawyer and a defense attorney is that a lawyer is a general term often used to describe a legal professional who carries a license to practice law, while a defense attorney focuses on representing those accused of criminal conduct. Both focus on helping individuals protect their rights.

What Is the Hardest Crime to Defend?

Some of the more difficult crimes to defend include crimes against children, such as molestation, abuse, sexual assault, and first-degree murder, due to high emotions and public stigma. Other difficult criminal cases to defend against include white-collar crimes with vast amounts of documentation.

Why Would Someone Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

You should hire a criminal defense attorney if you need assistance navigating the complex Riverside criminal defense laws or if you require help with building a strong defense strategy. Additionally, one might hire a criminal defense attorney like Melanie Roe if they need assistance in getting fair treatment and protecting their rights, or help negotiating with prosecutors.

What Are the Three Strikes Laws?

In California, there is a ‘three strikes’ law in criminal defense cases that can be hard to defend, but not impossible. According to Penal Code 667, a three-strikes case could carry a 25-year-to-life sentence for third-time offenders of serious or violent crimes. Usually, these crimes include murder, robbery, arson, rape, and any other violent felonies as defined by California law.

Case Studies on Specific Incidents and Legal Queries in California

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