Law Offices of Kevin E. Mitchell      (415) 581-0885

We have successfully defended hundreds of alleged drunk drivers, both in court and in DMV proceedings. Fighting a DUI requires an understanding of what to look for to try and invalidate your traffic stop in the first place. If we invalidate the stop it doesn't even matter what your tests showed. If the stop was valid, we are trained in the science behind breath, urine and blood alcohol testing. We use the science to expose flaws and limitations in alcohol testing to inform jurors why some number spit out by a machine is not, in and of itself, proof of impaired driving. 

If arrested for abusing your partner you will immediately lose your ability to return to your shared residence and even your ability to see your own children. If you plea guilty, you will be ordered to pay large fines, fees, a contribution to the domestic violence fund and the cost to attend mental counseling for 52 weeks. Miss 4 weeks and the judge can order you to start back at week 1. Before you even think about pleading guilty, understand that a large portion of these cases are based on one sided, emotionally charged accusations that will never make it to trial. We take the time to listen and communicate with the parties involved without judging or labeling them.

Possession is nine-tenths of the law. Having an attorney who understands the game is the other tenth. We are very well versed in the evidentiary rules that dictate what evidence comes in and what stays out, a very important area of law to understand in these cases. Issues involving illegal searches and confidential informants must often be litigated. There are also many programs available for those who would prefer to take advantage of rehabilitative services to get healthy and avoid conviction.

We have experience dealing with all varieties of theft related offenses. What was taken and the manner in which it was accomplished dictates how you are charged. If you take an item under $50 from a store is just an infraction. Taking that same item from someone's home is a felony. If they were home at the time, a "strike" felony. If you used force or fear to take it from someone or scared someone into letting you take it, it becomes robbery. Add that the person was over 65, now you have elder abuse. Then there's more sophisticated or "white collar" theft, such as embezzlement, forgery and unauthorized use of an electronic access device. Whatever it is you are accused of, we've seen it before and we can help you.

The most serious offense one can be charged with is first degree murder. While often tragic, not every death is a crime. There are different degrees of culpability or levels of responsibility, depending on the circumstances. There are times when you are entitled to act in your own self defense or defense of another. Our office prides itself on providing unsurpassed professional counsel, advice and defense to individuals charged with taking of the life of another human being. These cases often take years to conclude and are extremely emotionally exhausting on all parties involved. Despite the difficulty, we will analyze, evaluate and explain the evidence against you and discuss with you how it fits into the matrix of the law in this sensitive area. 

Possession is nine-tenths of the law. Having an attorney who understands the game is the other tenth. You will often see prosecutors seek to use finger print and DNA evidence. We have the specialized forensic training required to discredit such evidence and prevail in these cases. Whether it's a gun in a car or an arsenal in the basement, we will support your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, as well as your ablity to claim it wasn't yours, whichever applies.