Criminal Law Attorney in San Jose
4,000+ Cases. A Decade of Criminal Defense in the Bay Area.
A criminal conviction doesn’t just mean fines or prison time. It can follow you for the rest of your life. Depending on the severity of the charge, a conviction can strip you of eligibility for government-assisted housing, food assistance programs, and education grants. Even if you’re innocent, fighting back against prosecutors with vast resources is an uphill battle. If you’re facing criminal charges, choosing the right San Jose criminal defense lawyer may be the most consequential decision you ever make.
California classifies crimes as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies, and felonies carry the harshest penalties, including state prison time. Many California crimes are “wobblers” that a district attorney can charge as either a felony or a misdemeanor, which makes defense strategy critical from the moment of arrest. Whether you’re facing a felony or a misdemeanor, the window for building a strong defense opens immediately after an arrest.
Why Clients Choose Our Criminal Defense Law Firm
At the Law Offices of Nick Cvietkovich, we’re prepared to fight for you from the first call. Criminal defense lawyer Nick Cvietkovich has handled more than 4,000 cases across his career, and each one has sharpened his understanding of how to build an effective defense in California’s state and federal courts.
For over a decade, our criminal defense law firm has represented clients throughout the Bay Area before both state and federal courts, including Santa Clara County Superior Court. Nick is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and our team includes Spanish-speaking staff so that clients can communicate clearly from day one. Free initial consultations are available.
Schedule your free consultation by calling us at (408) 898-9770 today.
Our Firm is Here to Protect Your Rights Types of Criminal Law Cases We Handle
What Are Common Types of Criminal Charges?
Prosecutors and law enforcement come to every case with significant resources and a clear goal: securing a conviction. When the odds are stacked against you, having an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your corner isn’t optional. It’s essential.
We have experience pursuing favorable resolutions across a wide range of criminal charges, including:
- Drug crimes: Possession, use, and distribution of controlled substances can range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Prosecutors don’t always start at the top of the charging ladder, but they may escalate charges if given the chance. Possessing multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia, for example, can lead to an intent-to-deliver charge.
- Theft crimes: California recognizes four methods of theft: larceny, false pretenses, trick, and embezzlement, covering everything from shoplifting to large-scale fraud.
- Weapons offenses: Possession of an unregistered firearm or a concealed carry violation can carry a 10-year ban on firearm possession, even for misdemeanor-level offenses. Carrying a legal firearm while also in possession of illegal substances compounds those consequences significantly.
- Sex crimes: Rape, sexual assault, internet-related offenses, and child pornography carry lengthy incarceration and near-permanent sex offender registration requirements. California rarely lifts that registration, which means even an accusation can alter the course of your life. Our sex crimes FAQs can help you understand your rights and options.
- White collar crimes: Bribery, fraud, embezzlement, copyright infringement, and money laundering are complex to defend because they typically generate parallel civil and regulatory proceedings alongside the criminal case. Our white collar crime FAQs explain what to expect.
- And more
Other Criminal Law Areas We Handle
From first-time misdemeanors to serious felony defense, we handle the full spectrum of criminal matters in state and federal court. At no cost to you, our team is ready to answer your questions about:
- DUI Law: California’s implied consent law requires anyone arrested for DUI to submit to chemical testing, typically a blood test or breathalyzer. If you’ve been arrested, call us immediately. Acting quickly can make a real difference in how your case is addressed.
- California Three Strikes Law: Every serious or violent felony conviction counts as a “strike.” A third qualifying conviction can result in a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. When Three Strikes exposure is on the table, fighting to reduce the degree of the charges isn’t just strategy. It’s critical.
- Juvenile Crimes: California generally treats anyone under 18 as a juvenile, but minors as young as 10 can be tried as adults for serious offenses. Many juvenile convictions can be sealed from your record after you turn 18, but juvenile charges are still serious, and the defense strategy matters. Some first-time offenders may also qualify for diversion programs that allow them to pursue counseling or rehabilitation and avoid formal charges entirely.
- And more
Call us at (408) 898-9770 or fill out our online form to schedule your free initial consultation.
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“Some things are worth more than money. My family and I owe Mr. Cvietkovich way more than he charged which was extremely reasonable. I give 5 stars for Mr. Cvietkovich.”
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“No matter how difficult it seemed Nick never gave up. He is very humble, respectful, honest, and professional! Thank you Nick for representing my husband and giving him a new opportunity to start all over with us. God bless you.”
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“Nick is an excellent attorney who really cares for his clients and knows what he is doing. He works tirelessly to achieve the best end results in every case. He is very straightforward and lets you know what to expect from beginning to end.”
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“I hired one of his associates a couple of years ago like 4 or 5 years ago. Best help I got. I Am so thankful and Mr. Nick inspired me to pursue a career in law firm.”
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“Not only did he do everything legally possible to fight false claims, investigate and defend my case, but he also did so with style, grace, and tenacity that only comes from an experienced defense attorney.”
Have You Been Charged With a Crime?
The foundation of a successful defense is a full investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged crime. Our San Jose criminal defense attorneys can evaluate every detail of your situation to build the best possible defense to the charges you face. Often, we can bargain for a reduced sentence or get charges dismissed. However, our ability to do either depends on the specific circumstances of the case.
The consequences of a criminal conviction can extend far beyond the penalties prescribed by law. Monetary fines, probation and prison sentences are often only the beginning, as a criminal history can follow an individual for a lifetime. After a conviction, you may struggle to find employment and housing opportunities, and the social stigma may last a lifetime.
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Local Knowledge & ExperienceWe are a Northern Californian- founded and run firm giving us unique insight into the court system.
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Well-Known & Respected TeamThe attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas Nicholas Cvietkovich are not only respected by our peers and clients, but we have the top legal accreditations.
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Dedicated & Experienced CounselOur firm has over 15 years of experience and has successfully handled more than 4,500 cases.
Arrested in San Jose? Call Our Criminal Defense Team Now.
Time matters after an arrest. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and the prosecution begins building its case from day one. At the Law Offices of Nick Cvietkovich, we investigate thoroughly, gathering every piece of potential evidence, interviewing all involved parties including law enforcement, and arranging witness testimony where appropriate. We negotiate with prosecutors to seek reduction or elimination of charges and penalties, and we’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to protect your future.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in San Jose or anywhere in the Bay Area, don’t wait. Your free initial consultation is one call away.
Call Nick Cvietkovich at (408) 898-9770 or contact us online to get started today.
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