Criminal defense in Riverside
Facing criminal charges in Riverside? We'll stand with you.
An arrest turns your life upside down in a single night. Mercado & Vance Criminal Defense explains what happens next in plain words, in English or Spanish, and works to protect your record, your license and your freedom.
¿Lo arrestaron? Llámenos.Le atendemos en español.
What you tell us stays confidential.
If you or a loved one was arrested
The first hours after an arrest matter. These five steps protect you while you find a lawyer.
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Do
Stay calm and say you want to remain silent
Then stop talking. Don't argue or resist, even if you believe the arrest is wrong.
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Don't
Answer questions without a lawyer
Say "I want a lawyer." Don't sign a statement or agree to "just a few questions."
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Don't
Agree to a search
You can calmly say you don't consent to a search of your car, phone or home. Never physically resist.
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Don't
Talk about the case on the phone or online
Jail calls are usually recorded. Texts and posts can be used too. Talk about bail, not about what happened.
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Do
Write down what you remember, then call us
Note times, places and who was there. Keep it private and share it only with your lawyer.
General information, not legal advice for your situation. Información general, no asesoría legal.
Charges we defend
Misdemeanor or felony, first time or not. If your charge isn't listed, call and ask.
DUI
Alcohol and drug DUIs, the DMV hearing and your license. Some deadlines start the day of the arrest.
Drug crimes
Possession, sales and prescription cases. How the search happened can matter a great deal.
Domestic violence
Charges and protective orders after a call to the police at home, often with family caught in the middle.
Assault & battery
Fights, self-defense claims and injury allegations. Your side of the story counts.
Theft & robbery
Shoplifting, burglary and robbery, from a first petty theft to a serious felony charge.
Weapons charges
Carrying, possession and firearm charges, including cases tied to a traffic stop or search.
Juvenile crimes
When a teenager is charged, the goal is to protect school, future plans and a clean start.
Expungements
An old conviction can follow you to job and housing applications. Ask whether yours can be cleared.
English · Español
English
Is Spanish easier for your family?
Explain what happened in the language you're most comfortable with. Call us and we'll go over the case in Spanish, from the first conversation to the last court date.
Español
¿Su familia prefiere hablar en español?
Explíquenos lo que pasó en el idioma en que se sienta más cómodo. Llámenos y revisaremos el caso en español, desde la primera conversación hasta la última fecha en la corte.
What happens at your free consultation
One honest conversation, no pressure to hire us. Here's how it goes.
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You tell us what happened
Call or send the form. We listen first, then ask about the arrest, the charge and any court date.
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We go through your paperwork
Bring the citation, bail papers or court notice if you have them. We'll explain what each one means.
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You leave with a plan
You'll know the possible next steps and what we would do first. Then you decide, in your own time.
Questions families ask us
General answers only. Every case is different, so call us about yours.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor can still mean jail time, fines, probation and a record that shows up on background checks. A lawyer can tell you what you're really facing and whether there are better options than pleading guilty at the first hearing.
What happens at an arraignment?
It's usually the first court date. The charges are read, you enter a plea, and the judge may set or review bail and the next court dates. It's best to have a lawyer before this hearing.
I was arrested for DUI a few days ago. Is there a deadline?
Often, yes. In California, the time to ask the DMV for a hearing about your license is short, usually 10 days from the arrest. The criminal case in court is separate. Call as soon as you can so that window doesn't close.
Can an old conviction be cleared?
Many convictions can be expunged once probation is finished, and some felonies can be reduced to misdemeanors. Whether yours qualifies depends on the offense and what happened after, so we look at your record first.
¿Puedo hablar con ustedes en español?
Sí. Díganos al llamar o elija "Español" en el formulario, y le atenderemos en español. Yes: tell us when you call, or choose Spanish on the form.
The sooner we hear from you, the more options you may have.
Call for yourself or for someone you love. The first conversation is free and confidential.
¿Prefiere español? Llámenos: (951) 555-0147