Criminal Defense Attorney in Yuba City & Marysville
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Yuba or Sutter County, what you do in the next 24 hours matters as much as what your attorney does in the next six months. At Rich, Fuidge, Bordsen & Galyean, our criminal defense practice is led by an attorney who has worked both sides of the courtroom — first as a Deputy District Attorney prosecuting cases, then as a defense attorney protecting people facing those same kinds of charges. That dual perspective gives our clients an unusual advantage: we know how prosecutors evaluate cases, what they’re willing to negotiate, where their evidence is weakest, and how to position your defense from day one.
Our criminal defense practice focuses on DUI, misdemeanor charges, drug offenses, domestic violence, traffic crimes, property crimes, and lower-level felony matters in the Yuba and Sutter County Superior Courts. We do not promise miracles — we promise the careful, prepared, locally-experienced defense that gives every client the best realistic outcome the facts allow.
Areas of Criminal Defense We Handle
DUI Defense
California’s DUI laws carry serious consequences — license suspension, fines, mandatory programs, possible jail time, and an arrest record that follows you for years. We represent clients facing first-time DUI charges, repeat offenses, DUI with injury, and DMV administrative hearings to fight license suspension. Effective DUI defense often turns on procedural details: the legality of the traffic stop, the calibration of the breath testing equipment, the chain of custody on blood samples, and whether field sobriety tests were administered correctly.
Misdemeanor Defense
A misdemeanor conviction can mean up to a year in county jail, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record that affects employment, housing, and professional licensing. We represent clients in misdemeanor matters across Yuba and Sutter Counties, working to negotiate reduced charges, diversion programs where eligible, or dismissal when the prosecution’s case has weaknesses we can exploit at trial.
Drug Offenses
California’s drug laws have changed significantly in recent years, particularly with Prop 47 and Prop 64. We defend clients facing simple possession, possession for sale, transportation, and DUI-related drug charges. For eligible clients, we pursue diversion under California’s drug treatment programs (Prop 36, PC 1000, and others) that can result in dismissal upon successful completion.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence charges often arise from heated family disputes that escalate into police involvement. The consequences — protective orders, mandatory batterer’s intervention programs, firearms restrictions, immigration consequences, and possible jail time — are severe even for first-time offenders. We represent clients in both criminal proceedings and the related civil restraining order matters that frequently follow.
Traffic Crimes
Beyond DUI, criminal traffic charges include reckless driving, hit and run, driving on a suspended license, and felony evading. These charges often surface alongside other criminal matters and require coordinated defense strategy across the criminal court and DMV.
Property Crimes
Theft, burglary, vandalism, and shoplifting charges range from infractions to serious felonies depending on the value involved and the circumstances. We work with clients on charge reduction, restitution agreements, and where appropriate, expungement of older convictions.
Lower-Level Felony Matters
We also handle non-violent and lower-level felony matters including drug felonies, theft and fraud felonies under specific dollar thresholds, and felony DUI matters. For felony cases involving serious violent offenses, sex crimes, or major white-collar charges, we will discuss whether our practice is the right fit at the consultation and refer to specialists when it isn’t.
What to Do If You’ve Been Arrested in Yuba-Sutter
The most important thing you can do in the moments after an arrest is to protect your rights. The single biggest mistake people make is talking too much — to the arresting officer, to detectives, to the desk officer, to anyone in custody, or eventually to insurance investigators or victim advocates. The constitutional right to remain silent exists for good reason. Use it.
- Invoke your right to remain silent clearly. Say out loud: “I am invoking my right to remain silent. I want to speak with an attorney.” Then stop talking. Police can resume questioning if you keep speaking; once you clearly invoke the right, they must stop.
- Do not consent to any search. Police may search anyway, but if they had no warrant and no probable cause, your refusal preserves an argument to suppress whatever they find.
- Do not lie or sign anything. Lying to an officer is its own crime. Signing documents you don’t understand can waive important rights.
- Note everything you can. The exact words used, the times, the names and badge numbers of officers, the locations searched, what was said. Your memory will fade fast — write or dictate notes as soon as you can.
- Make your one phone call to an attorney, not to a friend. Calls from custody are recorded. Anything you say to a friend or family member about what happened can be used against you. Calls to your attorney are protected.
- Do not post on social media. Anything you post about the incident — even a vague “thanks for the support” — will be screenshotted and used as evidence. Stay offline until your case is resolved.
- Show up to every court date. Failing to appear creates a new charge and undermines every argument we’ll make on your behalf.
The California Criminal Process
Understanding the procedural arc of a California criminal case helps you make informed decisions at each stage:
Arrest and Booking
You may be released on a citation (a written promise to appear), released on bail, or held for arraignment. Police have 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) to bring you before a judge or release you.
Arraignment
Your first court appearance. The judge formally tells you the charges, takes your plea (almost always “not guilty” at this stage), addresses bail, and sets future court dates. We strongly recommend having counsel present at arraignment.
Pre-Trial
The longest phase. We obtain and review the prosecution’s evidence (“discovery”), file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, negotiate with the prosecutor, and prepare your defense. Most cases resolve during pre-trial through negotiated resolution, dismissal, or diversion.
Preliminary Hearing (Felony)
For felony charges, the prosecution must show “probable cause” at a preliminary hearing before the case can proceed to trial. The preliminary hearing is also a critical opportunity to test the prosecution’s witnesses and evidence early.
Trial
The vast majority of California criminal cases never go to trial — they resolve through negotiation, dismissal, or diversion. When trial is necessary, the prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. You have a right to a jury for any charge punishable by jail time exceeding six months.
Sentencing
If convicted by plea or after trial, the judge imposes sentence based on the charge, your criminal history, mitigating and aggravating circumstances, and any negotiated plea terms.
Why Choose RFBG for Your Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense practice is led by Ryan Burresch, an attorney whose experience on both sides of California criminal practice is rare and meaningful. Before joining the firm, Mr. Burresch served as a Deputy District Attorney prosecuting criminal cases for the State of California, then as a criminal defense attorney representing individuals facing those same charges from the other side.
That dual perspective is uncommon and valuable. As a former prosecutor, he learned how the State builds cases, evaluates evidence, calculates plea offers, and decides which cases to take to trial. As a defense attorney, he learned how to dismantle weak prosecution arguments, protect client rights, identify procedural defects, and negotiate the kind of resolutions that prosecutors will accept. Today, he brings both viewpoints to every case.
Beyond Mr. Burresch’s individual experience, you get the resources of a 115-year-old firm. When a criminal matter intersects with family law, real property, or business issues — which it frequently does — the attorneys handling those other matters are down the hall, not across town.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Criminal Defense
What should I do if I’ve been arrested in California?
Clearly invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Do not consent to searches. Do not give statements, sign documents, or post on social media about the incident. Make your phone call to an attorney, not to friends or family. Show up to every court date. Then call us as early as possible — the earlier we’re involved, the more options you have.
Should I talk to the police without an attorney present?
No. Whatever you say can be used against you, and police are trained to elicit incriminating statements through techniques most people don’t recognize as interrogation. Even innocent statements can be misinterpreted or taken out of context. Always insist on having an attorney present before answering any questions about the incident.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in California?
Fees vary based on charge severity, complexity, and the likely course of the case. A first-time misdemeanor DUI might cost a few thousand dollars. A felony case proceeding to trial can cost significantly more. Most criminal defense attorneys offer flat-fee or stage-based billing arrangements rather than open-ended hourly billing. We discuss fees clearly at the consultation and put everything in writing.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in California?
A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to one year in county jail. A felony is punishable by more than one year in state prison. “Wobblers” are crimes that can be charged as either, depending on prosecutor discretion and the facts. Felony convictions carry far more serious collateral consequences — firearms restrictions, professional licensing impacts, immigration consequences, and a much longer record-clearance horizon.
What are the penalties for a DUI in California?
A first DUI typically carries a six-month license suspension (or four months for administrative-only suspension), fines and fees of $1,800 to $2,500 in total, three to five years of probation, mandatory DUI school, and possible jail time. Penalties escalate sharply for repeat offenses, DUI with injury, or BAC of 0.15 or higher. Commercial license holders, drivers under 21, and drivers with prior DUIs face additional penalties.
Can a criminal conviction be expunged from my record in California?
Many misdemeanor and certain felony convictions can be expunged under California Penal Code 1203.4 once probation is successfully completed. Expungement does not erase the conviction entirely, but it reopens and dismisses the case, allowing you to truthfully answer most private employment questions about prior convictions. Some convictions — sex offenses, certain serious felonies, and DUI for some purposes — cannot be expunged or carry exceptions. We can review your record and advise on what relief is available.
How long does a criminal case take to resolve?
Simple misdemeanors can resolve in two to four months. Felony cases proceeding through preliminary hearing typically take six to twelve months. Cases that go to trial can take a year or more. The timeline depends heavily on court calendars, prosecution discovery practices, the complexity of the legal issues, and whether motions or continuances are filed.
What is bail and how does it work in California?
Bail is money or property posted to ensure the defendant returns to court. The court sets bail based on a county-specific bail schedule, the seriousness of the charge, and the defendant’s ties to the community. Bail bond agencies post bail in exchange for a non-refundable premium (typically ten percent of the bail amount). For lower-level offenses, defendants are often released on their own recognizance (“O.R.”) without posting bail.
Schedule a Criminal Defense Consultation
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Yuba or Sutter County, time matters. Call (530) 742-7371 or request a consultation online to discuss your case with our criminal defense attorney as early as possible.