Facing criminal charges in Tustin, CA, turns your life upside down. At Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers, our Tustin criminal defense lawyer is ready to fight for you from the first call to our law office at (714) 362-0157. California courts handle over 1 million criminal cases each year, and Orange County ranks among the state's busiest jurisdictions. An experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner from the start is the strongest move you can make after an arrest. We handle every type of criminal offense, from misdemeanors and DUI cases to violent crimes, sex crimes, and serious felonies in state and federal courts.
No matter what legal troubles brought you here, we are ready to fight for your best possible outcome. Our team includes a certified specialist who has handled numerous cases just like yours. Call us today at (714) 733-1716 for a free, no-obligation consultation. The sections below cover our practice areas, the California criminal justice process, and attorney Frances Prizzia's background.
A criminal defense attorney does far more than show up to court. At Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers, your Tustin criminal defense attorney digs into the facts, challenges the evidence, and fights for your best interest from day one. We negotiate with prosecutors and build a defense strategy tailored to your specific case. We study how the Orange County District Attorney's office builds its arguments and use that knowledge to counter every move they make.
Tustin criminal cases are handled at the North Justice Center in Fullerton, and our defense lawyer knows that court well. We track local judges, local procedures, and how Orange County prosecutors approach criminal charges in each courtroom. If you face a criminal offense in Tustin, the right defense lawyer can be the difference between a conviction and a dismissal.
We represent first-time offenders, repeat offenders, professionals with licensing concerns, and out-of-state defendants. Every criminal offense, no matter how minor it looks, deserves experienced legal representation and personal attention. Contact our law office today for a free consultation and start protecting your future.
Facing criminal charges is one of life's most stressful events. The law firm you choose shapes everything that follows. At Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers, we stand apart in four key ways.
Unlike firms that split their focus between family law, personal injury, and other areas, we dedicate our entire practice to criminal defense. That legal specialization has built our proven track record across DUI cases, drug crimes, and serious felonies throughout Orange County criminal defense.
Our criminal defense practice in Tustin, CA, covers the full range of criminal offense categories, from misdemeanor charges to complex felony and federal cases. Each case type demands a custom strategy built on local expertise and extensive knowledge of California criminal law. Here is what our criminal defense team handles for clients across Orange County and Southern California.
California Penal Code §240 defines assault as the use or threat of force against another person. Charges range from simple misdemeanor assault to aggravated felony assault involving a deadly weapon or serious bodily harm. We step in early, examine the evidence, challenge witness accounts, and push for dismissal or reduced criminal charges.
California requires police to make an arrest when domestic violence is suspected, even if the alleged victim does not want charges filed. A conviction affects restraining orders, child custody, and professional licenses for years. We investigate false accusations, challenge physical evidence, and build defenses aimed at the best possible outcome for every client accused of these serious criminal charges.
Drug crime charges in California range from simple possession to distribution and trafficking of controlled substances. California's Proposition 47 reclassified many possession offenses as misdemeanors, but serious drug crimes still carry heavy jail time and real damage to a criminal record. We pursue diversion programs, reduced charges, and case dismissals to protect our clients from lasting consequences.
DUI cases in California require two fights at once: one in criminal court and one at the California DMV. After a DUI arrest in Tustin, you have just 10 days to request a DMV hearing or lose your license. We challenge BAC evidence, question field sobriety procedures, and fight DUI cases across Orange County, including in Santa Ana and Huntington Beach.
Federal criminal charges carry harsher sentencing guidelines and a very different legal process than state-level offenses. Federal cases involve U.S. Attorneys and federal courts, not the same prosecutors who handle most Tustin criminal charges. Our criminal defense lawyer brings extensive experience in both state and federal courts, giving every client a skilled advocate in any legal arena.
A restraining order can remove you from your home, cut off contact with your children, and cost you your job. Violations carry immediate criminal consequences, making prompt legal action essential. Our law firm handles the crossover between civil and criminal cases, protecting your rights and working toward the best possible outcome in court.
Sex crime criminal charges carry lifelong consequences, including mandatory sex offender registration that follows a conviction forever. We take every sex offense case seriously from day one, conducting thorough investigations and pushing for evidence suppression where California law allows. We work to protect our clients' reputations, freedom, and futures throughout every stage of the legal process.
California theft charges range from petty theft and shoplifting to grand theft, robbery, and burglary. Proposition 47 raised the felony threshold for many theft offenses, but grand theft and burglary still carry serious criminal charges and significant jail time. We have a proven track record of negotiating reduced charges and alternative sentencing, including community service, for clients across Orange County.
Violent crime charges, including robbery, battery, and homicide, can trigger California's three strikes law, which imposes mandatory long prison sentences. We take an aggressive, evidence-based approach to every violent crime case, challenging overcharged allegations and weak prosecutions at every stage. Our criminal defense team has successfully defended clients facing some of the most serious felonies in Orange County.
Understanding the California criminal justice process gives you a real edge when you face charges in Tustin. Knowing what happens at each stage cuts fear and helps you make smart decisions with your criminal defense attorney. We walk every client through this process from the first phone call to the final resolution of the case.
The criminal justice process in California moves through these key stages:
In DUI cases, a parallel DMV hearing runs alongside the criminal case, with a strict 10-day deadline from the date of arrest. Pretrial motions alone can resolve a case before it ever reaches a jury, which is why we file them fast and push hard. Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers guides every client through this criminal justice process with clear communication, honest advice, and a focused defense strategy.
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights at every stage of the criminal justice process, from arrest through sentencing. We challenge evidence, negotiate with the district attorney, and prevent the costly mistakes that unrepresented defendants often make in criminal cases. Without a defense lawyer, you face a much higher risk of conviction, harsher sentences, and a permanent criminal record that limits your opportunities for years. If you are accused of a crime, seek legal representation right away.
Yes. Innocence alone does not guarantee a fair outcome in the criminal justice system, because evidence can be misread and witnesses can be wrong. A defense lawyer puts your version of events before the court with full force. We expose the weaknesses in the prosecution's case and fight to prevent the guilty verdicts our clients do not deserve.
Stay calm, exercise your right to remain silent, and refuse any searches of your person or property. Do not answer law enforcement questions without a criminal attorney present, because anything you say can be used against you in court. Contact Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers at (714) 733-1716 as soon as possible. The actions you take in the hours after an arrest directly shape the outcome of your entire case.
A misdemeanor carries a maximum of one year in county jail, while a felony carries a state prison sentence ranging from one year to life. Both create a criminal record that affects employment, housing, professional licenses, and civil rights. Some criminal charges are "wobblers," meaning the district attorney can file them as either a misdemeanor or a felony based on the facts of your case.
A plea deal is a negotiated agreement between your attorney and the prosecutor, trading a guilty plea for a reduced charge or a lighter sentence. Whether to accept one depends on the strength of the evidence, the available legal defenses, and your personal goals. Never accept a plea deal without first consulting an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows the full details of your case.
Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers has a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes for clients in Tustin, Orange County, and Southern California. We have successfully defended clients in numerous criminal cases, from first-offense DUI charges to serious felonies. We bring the same level of proven experience and care to every client we represent. Here is a sample of results our Orange County criminal defense team has achieved:
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every criminal case is unique, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each matter.
Contact our law office today for a free consultation. We will review your case and walk you through all available options. Our criminal defense team is ready to help with your specific legal need, no matter the charges you face.
Attorney Frances Prizzia built her entire legal career around defending people accused of crimes in Tustin, CA, and throughout Orange County. As senior partner of Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers, a California law firm, she brings extensive knowledge, proven experience, and a personal commitment to every client the firm serves. The section below details her background and our firm's commitment to Tustin criminal defense clients.
Attorney Frances Prizzia has dedicated her legal career to criminal defense in state and federal courts across Southern California. Unlike attorneys who worked as prosecutors before switching to defense, attorney Prizzia has focused on defending the accused from the very start.
Her practice spans the full scope of criminal law, from DUI cases and drug crimes to violent crimes, sex offenses, and serious felonies in state and federal courts. Every client who works with our law firm gets direct access to attorney Prizzia and personal attention throughout the legal process. We build every defense around the specific facts of your case and never treat any criminal charge as routine. Helping clients achieve the best possible outcome is what drives everything we do.
Our law office serves clients in Tustin, CA, and across Orange County, including Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, and communities throughout Southern California. We know that facing criminal charges is a life-altering experience, and we treat every legal need with the urgency it demands. Call our criminal lawyers at (714) 362-0157 to learn more about how we can help.
If you or someone you love faces criminal charges in Tustin, every hour you wait narrows your options. Early legal representation is the most powerful tool in the California criminal justice system. Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers is ready to put that tool to work for you. Do not face this criminal justice process alone when experienced help is just one phone call away.
Call our Tustin, CA law office now at (714) 733-1716 to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. We offer a free consultation with no obligation, no pressure, and no upfront fee. Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers handles criminal defense across Orange County and Southern California, from first-offense misdemeanors to serious felonies in state and federal courts.
Here is what your free consultation covers:
Facing criminal charges is one of the hardest situations a person can go through. You deserve an advocate who fights for the best possible outcome, no matter the charge. Call (714) 733-1716 to schedule your free consultation with Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers and start building your defense today.
Client Centered Approach
Reputation by Excellence
Experience
Innovative & Determined
You're Not Just Another Client
AVAILABLE FOR YOU NOW
"*" indicates required fields
