Fresno Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney

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If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Madera, California, choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. You want an attorney who regularly practices in Madera County Superior Court, understands the local criminal justice system, and is familiar with the judges, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and procedures that may affect your case.

The City of Madera is the county seat of Madera County and has a population of approximately 69,000 residents. Criminal cases arising from arrests in the City of Madera are generally prosecuted in the Madera County Superior Court, located at 200 South G Street in Madera.

Whether you have been charged with a DUI, domestic violence offense, drug crime, theft offense, assault, weapons offense, or another criminal offense, your case will generally be handled through the Madera County court system.

Gregory W. Fox has been practicing criminal defense law in Central California for more than twenty years. During that time, he has represented thousands of individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses, including clients whose cases are prosecuted in Madera County Superior Court.

If you have been arrested by the Madera Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Madera County Sheriff’s Office, or another law enforcement agency operating in or around Madera, Attorney Gregory W. Fox has extensive experience reviewing and defending criminal cases investigated by these agencies.

Where Will My Madera Criminal Case Be Heard?

One important difference between Madera and many of the surrounding communities is that the Madera County Superior Court is located directly in the City of Madera.

The Madera Superior Court is located at:

200 South G Street
Madera, California 93637

The courthouse handles criminal, traffic, juvenile, family, and other matters arising throughout Madera County.

If you are arrested within the City of Madera, your criminal case will generally be filed and heard at this courthouse. The same courthouse also handles many cases arising from nearby communities and unincorporated areas of Madera County.

Understanding where your case will be heard and how the local court system operates can reduce uncertainty and allow your attorney to begin developing an effective defense strategy immediately.

Law Enforcement Agencies Serving Madera

Several law enforcement agencies investigate crimes and make arrests in and around the City of Madera.

The Madera Police Department is the primary municipal law enforcement agency within the City of Madera.

The California Highway Patrol also has a significant presence in the area, particularly on Highway 99 and other state highways surrounding Madera. DUI arrests, traffic-related offenses, vehicular crimes, and accident investigations frequently involve CHP officers.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office investigates criminal activity throughout Madera County and may also become involved in cases occurring in areas surrounding the City of Madera or in investigations involving multiple jurisdictions.

Each agency has its own investigative procedures and reporting practices. Having an attorney who regularly reviews police reports, body-worn camera recordings, patrol vehicle video, witness statements, dispatch recordings, laboratory evidence, and other materials generated during criminal investigations can be important when preparing your defense.

Criminal Cases in Madera and Surrounding Areas

Although this page focuses specifically on arrests occurring within the City of Madera, many people who live, work, or travel in the communities surrounding Madera may also have their criminal cases heard at the Madera courthouse.

This includes cases arising in nearby unincorporated areas and along major transportation routes such as Highway 99 and Highway 145.

Because Madera is both the county seat and the location of the main Madera County Superior Court, individuals arrested throughout much of the surrounding area will ultimately find themselves appearing in court in the City of Madera.

Why Hire an Attorney Familiar with Madera County?

When facing criminal charges, local experience matters.

Criminal cases are affected not only by California law but also by the practices of the particular courthouse, prosecutors, judges, probation officers, and law enforcement agencies involved in the case.

Gregory W. Fox has practiced criminal defense law in Central California for more than twenty years and regularly handles cases in Madera County.

Just as importantly, when you hire the Law Office of Gregory W. Fox, your case is handled personally by Gregory W. Fox. Your court appearances are not routinely assigned to an associate attorney or outside appearance counsel. Mr. Fox personally represents his clients from the beginning of the case through its resolution.

What Happens After an Arrest in Madera?

Being arrested can be overwhelming, particularly if you have never been through the criminal justice system before. Although every case is different, understanding what generally occurs after an arrest can help reduce uncertainty and allow you to make informed decisions.

Misdemeanor Arrests

If you are arrested for a misdemeanor offense in Madera, including driving under the influence or another misdemeanor crime, what happens next will depend upon the circumstances of the arrest and the agency involved.

Some individuals may be booked into custody and later released. Others may be cited and released with instructions to appear in court on a future date.

The particular procedure can depend upon the offense, criminal history, bail status, jail policies, and other circumstances surrounding the arrest.

Felony Arrests

Individuals arrested for felony offenses may remain in custody pending their first court appearance or may be eligible for release depending upon the charges, criminal history, bail determination, and other circumstances.

A person may be released after posting bail, through an available pretrial release procedure, on his or her own recognizance, or may remain in custody until appearing before a judge.

Felony cases generally require the defendant’s personal appearance in court. Attorney Gregory W. Fox will explain the process, advise you where to meet, and personally appear with you throughout each stage of your case.

Domestic Violence Arrests

Domestic violence arrests frequently involve issues that extend beyond the criminal charge itself.

Following a domestic violence arrest, law enforcement may obtain an Emergency Protective Order prohibiting contact with the protected person. If you have been served with an Emergency Protective Order, it is extremely important that you comply with every term of that order.

Do not call, text, email, communicate through social media, send messages through family members or friends, or go to the protected person’s residence or workplace if the order prohibits that conduct.

Violating a protective order can result in an entirely new criminal charge, including prosecution under Penal Code section 273.6.

If you have questions regarding what conduct is prohibited by a protective order, speak with an attorney before taking action.

Learn more about domestic violence defense in Fresno and Central California.

Your First Court Appearance

The first court appearance in a criminal case is known as the arraignment.

In many misdemeanor cases, California law permits an attorney to appear on behalf of the client without requiring the client to personally appear in court. If you retain the Law Office of Gregory W. Fox, Mr. Fox can often appear on your behalf, enter a plea of not guilty when appropriate, obtain discovery, and begin protecting your rights without requiring you to miss work or travel to court unnecessarily.

Felony cases generally require the defendant’s personal appearance. Mr. Fox will explain the process in advance, answer your questions, and appear with you throughout the proceedings.

What Happens After the Arraignment?

Following the arraignment, the case enters the discovery and investigation stage.

During this phase, our office obtains and reviews police reports, body-worn camera recordings, patrol vehicle video, witness statements, laboratory reports, dispatch recordings, photographs, and other evidence gathered by law enforcement.

When appropriate, we conduct our own investigation, issue subpoenas for additional records, interview witnesses, retain private investigators, and consult with qualified experts, including DUI forensic experts and accident reconstruction specialists.

Our objective is to identify every available defense and pursue every reasonable opportunity to obtain the best possible outcome.

Immigration Consequences of a Criminal Case in Madera

Immigration consequences can be particularly important in criminal cases arising in Madera.

For a person who is not a United States citizen, even a misdemeanor conviction may potentially affect immigration status. Depending upon the particular offense and the person’s immigration circumstances, a criminal conviction can create issues involving admissibility, lawful permanent residency, naturalization, detention, or removal from the United States.

For that reason, immigration consequences should be considered before entering any plea agreement.

When immigration issues are present, the criminal defense strategy should consider not simply whether charges or penalties can be reduced, but whether the particular conviction and sentence may create avoidable immigration consequences.

DUI Arrests in Madera

DUI arrests occurring in and around Madera frequently involve the Madera Police Department or California Highway Patrol.

Highway 99 passes directly through Madera and is one of the major north-south transportation routes in the Central Valley. CHP officers regularly conduct traffic enforcement and investigate collisions throughout the Madera area.

A DUI arrest can create two separate proceedings: the criminal case in Madera County Superior Court and a separate administrative proceeding involving the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

These proceedings have different rules and deadlines.

In many DUI cases, the relationship between the criminal prosecution and the DMV Administrative Per Se proceeding can significantly affect how long a person’s driver’s license is suspended, whether the person qualifies for a restricted license or ignition interlock device, and whether suspension periods can run concurrently.

Those issues should be evaluated as part of an overall DUI defense strategy rather than treating the criminal case and DMV case separately.

Learn more about our DUI defense services and our guide to California DUI laws, BAC limits, and penalties.

Every Case Requires an Individual Strategy

Many clients understandably want their criminal case resolved as quickly as possible. While every case is different, resolving a case quickly is not always in the client’s best interest.

A thorough defense may require time to obtain additional evidence, review discovery, investigate the circumstances of the arrest, consult with experts, litigate legal issues, and negotiate from a position of strength.

Rushing a case before all available evidence has been obtained and reviewed can eliminate opportunities that may ultimately result in reduced charges, an alternative resolution, or dismissal.

Every client also has different concerns.

Some clients need to protect a professional license. Others are concerned about immigration consequences, maintaining employment, preserving a commercial driver’s license, remaining eligible for school or professional programs, protecting firearm rights, or minimizing the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction.

For that reason, our office develops a strategy based not simply upon the criminal charge but also upon the facts of the case and the individual circumstances and priorities of the client.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to criminal defense.

Criminal Cases We Handle in Madera

The Law Office of Gregory W. Fox represents clients charged with a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including:

Whether you are facing a misdemeanor offense or a serious felony charge, our office is committed to protecting your rights and pursuing the best possible outcome.

Schedule a Consultation with a Madera Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested in the City of Madera, in a surrounding community, or are under investigation for a criminal offense in Madera County, do not wait to obtain legal advice.

Contact the Law Office of Gregory W. Fox today at (559) 222-5800 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Our Philosophy

The goal is not simply to resolve your case quickly. The goal is to resolve it correctly.

Every case is different. Every client has different concerns. Our responsibility is to understand the facts, protect your rights, consider the long-term consequences of every decision, and develop a strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your unique situation.

If you have any questions, or would like to request a confidential consultation, please contact us today at (559) 222-5800.