CRIMINAL LAW

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Criminal Law Attorneys

Are you facing criminal law charges or accusations? If you are, then you already know that facing something like this is not to be taken lightly. It can be overwhelming to face a charge or accusations especially when facing serious jail or prison time. If you or someone you know is up against criminal charges or is under investigation by the Bend police, Deschutes County, or another law enforcement agency, protect yourself by contacting a criminal law attorney in Bend as soon as possible. The Donahue Law Firm and its dedicated criminal law lawyers have successfully defended clients against thousands of criminal charges and know what it takes to succeed.

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Criminal Law

With criminal law trial experience in both Oregon and Washington states, we have the expertise and knowledge you need to protect yourself. Call the Donahue Law Firm and schedule your free consultation with one of our criminal law attorneys. We will assess your situation and develop a game plan to attack the charges and present the best criminal defense possible. Protect yourself by calling our criminal law attorneys. We can help.

Our criminal law lawyers have successfully defended good people in Deschutes County, Central Oregon, and throughout the states of Oregon and Washington. Our criminal defense attorneys have earned exceptional outcomes for defense clients accused of a variety of crimes, including:

Bend Criminal Law Lawyers

You can learn more about our criminal law defense specialties, and find answers to some of the frequently asked questions we encounter in our criminal defense cases. As always, you can reach out to us if you have any specific questions about the criminal charges you face.

Bend Criminal Lawyers

Assault Charges

Assault is a serious criminal charge in Oregon. A conviction will result in a criminal misdemeanor or felony conviction if the defendant is found guilty of assault. Oregon has four degrees of assault charges, ranging from Assault IV (the least severe charge) to Assault I (the most serious charge).  Chapter 163 of the Oregon Revised Statutes defines in detail the various types of assault charges. While a conviction for an Assault IV charge most often results in a Class A Misdemeanor conviction (if the defendant is convicted), there are certain situations that rise to a Class C Felony conviction. All other assault charges (I through III) are considered felonies.

Assualt chargres don’t have to result in a conviction. With years of experience, the criminal law attorneys at the Donahue Law Firm know the tactics and strategies to deploy against assualt charges. Whether pressuring the state into dismissals, reducing felony charges to misdemeanors, or winning not guilty verdicts for crimnal law clients at trial: We know how to get the job done.

In some instances, one technique that may be best is to pursue is what’s known as a civil compromise. A civil compromise is not legally allowed in all instances, but can be an option when facing soem assault charges. Done right, it can result in the complete dismissal of a charge or charges if the “victim” agrees and the judge rules in a defendant’s favor. Chapter 135 of the Oregon Revised Statutes controls what crimes, including assault, are eligible for civil compromise. Successfully brokering a civil compromise requires careful negitating and knowing how to appeal to a “victim’s” interests.  Our criminal law attorneys are well-versed in the techniques required to achieve a civil compromise. Read more about assault charges.

Domestic Violence

Oregon doesn’t have laws that are exclusive to the term “Domestic Assault.” However, those who have been accused of assaulting members of their family or household may be facing harsher charges for an infraction. Once again, an individual may be charged with various degrees of assault, ranging from I to IV, and an assault charge may result in a conviction ranging from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Class A Felony (if the defendant is convicted). Again, in certain instances, it may be best for a defendant to pursue a civil compromise. Hiring a criminal lawyer may also help you to have your charges dropped, or it may aid you in reducing the severity of a conviction and its consequent sentencing. Read more about domestic violence.

Drug Charges

While drug charges are becoming more and more decriminalized in Oregon, there are still severe penalties for various drug charges in our state, especially for delivery and manufacturing charges, as well as some possession charges. Regardless of the severity of the charges held against you, it may be best to pursue defense services from a criminal lawyer in order to protect yourself from unfair persecution and unjust sentencing. Drug charges can result in misdemeanor convictions (for some possession charges) and felony convictions (for most other charges). Here at Donahue Law Firm, we defend those who have been accused of drug infractions, and we’ll strive to have your charges dropped, or your sentence and/or conviction reduced, depending on the best course of action for your individual case. Read more about drug charges.

Theft/Burglary

There are varying crimes related to theft here in the state of Oregon. You may be charged with shoplifting, robbery, or burglary, each of which can result in a different conviction and sentence. Burglary is the most severe charge of that list, since it involves breaking and entering, as well as theft. Those who are charged with a burglary will be facing far more consequences than those who face shoplifting charges. For instance, most burglary crimes are considered felonies, and a conviction may result in fines and fees of up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $325,000. Regardless of the severity of the theft charge held against you, it may be best to hire an attorney to defend you. You may be able to have your charges reduced or dropped, and you may be able to pursue a lesser conviction and sentencing. We’ll work with your best interests in mind to try to earn a favorable outcome for your case. Read more about theft and burglary charges.

Violation of Restraining Orders

If you’ve been accused of violating a restraining order, you may face penalties including jail time, probation, and fines. While a violation of a restraining order (or VRO) is not technically considered a criminal charge here in the state of Oregon, it is considered an act of contempt, which may result in punitive measures by the state. A court may issue penalties which can include up to $500 (or 1 percent of the gross annual income of the defendant (whichever is greater), up to six months of jail time, probation, and/or community service requirements, among other penalties. Our attorneys may help you to avoid or minimize these penalties, depending on the circumstances of your case. Read more about violation of a restraining order.

Arson

If you have been charged with arson in the first degree, arson in the second degree, or another fire-related crime, you could be facing serious charges. Arson charges (both in the first and second degree) result in felony convictions if the defendant is rendered guilty by a court. Meanwhile, a reckless burning infraction will still be considered a Class A misdemeanor, if a defendant is judged guilty of the crime. Regardless of the infraction at hand, it may be best for an accused individual to seek criminal defense representation to strive to earn a reduced sentence and conviction, or to have the charge dropped altogether. Read more about arson charges.

DUI/DUII

DUI charges (or Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) as they’re called here in Oregon) can result in misdemeanor charges or felony charges. The severity of the charge depends on the details of the alleged DUI charge (e.g. third or more conviction within 10 years), and the criminal history of the accused. A conviction can result in fines, jail time, a suspended or revoked driver license, community service time, and required classes. For repeat offenders, and those who are facing more serious arrest circumstances, the state may pursue a felony DUII conviction. Felony DUIIs may result in up to five years of prison time, and fines of up to $125,000. Felony DUIIs are usually only charged against offenders who have had three or more DUII convictions within the last 10 years. Regardless of your specific charge, we can help. We’ll work in your best interest to try to dismiss the charges, or achieve a lesser sentence and conviction. You can learn more about our DUII lawyer services.

Reckless Driving

If you’ve been accused of reckless driving in the state of Oregon, you may be confused about the definition of driving recklessly under Oregon law. You may not even feel as though you were driving recklessly at all. Circumstances may vary from case to case, but you may be able to have your charges dropped, or you may earn a lighter sentence with the help of a criminal lawyer. Reach out to us to go over the details of your case, and to discuss the best plan of action to address your upcoming court proceedings. Read more about reckless driving charges.

Fraud

Fraud surrounds a number of laws in Oregon, all of which are rather serious crimes. If you’ve been charged with fraud, forgery, or another fraud-related crime, you’re facing a complex court process, as well as the possibility of serious penalties. It may be in your best interest to hire representation to ensure that your court proceedings run smoothly, and you have protection from prosecutors and unjust sentencing. Read more about fraud charges.

What kind of sentence can I expect if I’m convicted

What kind of sentence can I expect if I’m convicted?

After a defendant is convicted or pleads guilty, a judge will decide on the appropriate punishment, or sentence, during the sentencing phase of a criminal case. Criminal sentencing for criminal offenses can range from probation and community service to prison. In more complex criminal cases, like those involving felonies, the sentencing judge will usually receive input from the prosecutor, the defense, and the propagation department.

Sentences, however, can vary greatly, depending on the conviction and the trial. For instance, if you were tried and convicted of a drug-related charge, you may have a misdemeanor or felony conviction, depending on the details of the trial. A felony conviction will hold a harsher sentence, which may mean more jail time, higher fees, more community service time, and/or required treatments or classes, among other penalties.

The following are types of sentences that a judge can impose after a guilty judgment is made:

Suspended Sentence

A suspended sentence involves conditions in a probation order for a period of one to three years. The offender who gets a suspended sentence has a conviction registered against them. This means that the offender who gets a suspended sentence will have a criminal record and will have to apply for a pardon to have the conviction removed from their record.

Probation

Probation is a court order to do (or not to do) certain things for a period of time. The offender who gets a conditional discharge or a suspended sentence will always have a probation order they must follow. A probation order can be combined with a fine, a conditional sentence, intermittent imprisonment, or imprisonment. The maximum length of a probation order is three years. 

Every probation order will have the following conditions:

  • Keep the peace and be of good behavior
  • Appear in court when ordered by the court
  • Tell the court or probation officer about any change of name, address, or job

Fine

A fine is an amount of money that an offender must pay to the court. It is different from restitution or a charitable donation. The offender will have a conviction registered against them and will have to apply for a pardon to have the fine removed from their record. A fine can be given instead of, or in addition to, imprisonment, a conditional sentence, or an intermittent sentence.

Short-Term Incarceration

Offenders can be confined in short-term facilities that are usually administered by a local law enforcement agency and that are intended for adults but sometimes hold juveniles before or after adjudication. Offenders usually have a sentence of less than one year or are being held pending a trial, awaiting sentencing, or awaiting transfer to other facilities after a conviction.

Payment of Restitution to the Victim

Victim restitution is money owed to the alleged victim of a crime. As part of the penalty, the defendant is required to pay money to the alleged victim to reimburse them for any damages caused by the crime.

Community Service

Community service, also known as community restitution, is a form of punishment intended to benefit the community that’s been harmed by an offender’s crime. Judges often order offenders to perform community service in addition to, or instead of, other forms of punishment, such as incarceration, fines, or probation.

Drug or Alcohol Rehabilitation for Minor Crimes

Court-ordered rehabilitation requires participation in mental health or substance abuse treatment programs. The requirements of court-ordered addiction treatment vary depending on the severity of a person’s addiction, and authorities say mandated treatment is effective.

Long-Term Incarceration

The offender services determinate federal sentences of 10 or more years in prison following a conviction for a more serious offense.

Life-In-Prison

A life sentence is a prison term that typically lasts for one’s lifetime. Life imprisonment sentences are rare in the federal criminal justice system. Virtually all offenders convicted of a federal crime are released from prison eventually and return to society.

Death Penalty

Congress, as well as any state legislature, may prescribe the death penalty, also known as capital punishment, for capital offenses. The death penalty was banned in the state of Washington in 2018, but the state of Oregon still has the death penalty, as it is governor-imposed.

When Should I Reach Out To A Criminal Law Attorney?

If you want to protect your rights and if you’re confused about your upcoming court case and the charges that you face, it’s best to seek consultation from an attorney right away. Here at Donahue Law Firm, we provide free consultations so that you may have a better understanding of the charges held against you and what to expect as your trial approaches.Please do not hesitate to contact us today if you would like unmatched legal protection.

Can I Expunge My Record of an Arrest, Charge, Or Conviction?

It depends. In many cases we are able to expunge your criminal record, but doing so depends on requirements laid out in Oregon statutes. For instance, if you’ve been convicted of an assault conviction, you may or may not be able to have your record expunged, depending on the severity of the conviction, and whether or not you fulfill Oregon’s eligibility requirements. You’ll also have to petition to a judge to have your record expunged, and you may or may not receive an expungement per his/her judgment. If you’re curious about expungement or how a conviction can affect your record, read more about criminal expungement, or feel free to reach out to us.

Can I Expunge My Record of an Arrest, Charge, Or Conviction

If you’re facing a criminal law charge, you may not know your rights. You may be concerned about what to expect in your upcoming court dates. It’s often best not to defend yourself. Our criminal law attorneys will work with you to determine the best plan of action to strive for the best possible outcome for your case. A successful strategy must be personal to your specific scenario and needs, while also being legally strategic. We always work with your best interests in mind as we protect your rights and defend you against unjust consequences. If you’re ready to get started, get in touch with a criminal law lawyer at the Donahue Law Firm for a free consultation so that we can help you to better understand your options.

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★★★★★

“I sent a relative to Bryan because his case was especially hairy and it required the attention of a specialist. Bryan took what seemed like an impossible case and knocked it out of the park. My cousin’s case was on the news and seemed indefensible. Bryan actually got him acquitted of the felony charge and was able to separately resolve the misdemeanor with no jail and no probation. I cannot say enough for how aggressive and intelligent this attorney proved himself to be. Beyond that, he is a normal, friendly, approachable person who is very easy to talk to.

Martin Thompson

Experienced and Effective Criminal Defense Representation

Criminal cases can be complicated, fast-paced, and confusing. Even if you are innocent, getting a case dismissed or obtaining a not guilty verdict doesn’t happen on its own and certainly shouldn’t be left to chance. Rather than go it alone, protect your rights.

Get the effective criminal defense representation you need and deserve. It’s important to have the right attorney in your corner, one who can protect your rights and speak on your behalf with local prosecutors, judges, and especially a jury of your peers.

Our number one goal:

obtain the most favorable outcome possible.

Our team completely understands that bad things sometimes happen, but they don’t have to determine who you are. A great number of our clients have never been arrested before. It is for this reason, the attorney’s at the Donahue Law Firm take the time to explain the specific process for your county and create a game plan to succeed in the courtroom.

Whether guiding clients as through DUII Diversion, or handling criminal matters at trial, we carefully direct our clients through the entire process, explaining the benefits, risks, and consequences, at each turn in the road.

Above all, we are committed to protecting our clients’ rights and pursuing justice on your behalf. Whatever situation you are facing, you deserve an aggressive, effective, and local criminal defense lawyer.

Don’t wait until you’re behind the 8 ball. Give us a call today!

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