San Bernardino Felony Lawyer

Felony defense representation grounded in 13 years of work on behalf of clients in San Bernardino and the surrounding region.

If you’ve been charged with a felony in San Bernardino, we know that the situation is serious and legal help must be sought with a sense of urgency. Felony convictions carry state prison time, permanent criminal records, and collateral consequences that affect employment, housing, and professional licenses long after any sentence is served. At Seyb Law Group, our San Bernardino, CA felony lawyer has worked on criminal defense for 13 years and handles everything from first-time wobbler charges to violent felony allegations. We offer free consultations, so please contact us before you make any decisions about your case.

Felony Lawyer San Bernardino, CA

A felony is the most serious category of criminal charge in California. Convictions can mean state prison, loss of firearm rights, loss of voting rights during incarceration, and a record that follows you for the rest of your life. Some charges are “wobblers”, which are offenses that can be filed as either a felony or misdemeanor depending on the facts and how the case develops.

We aren’t just a team that shows up in court, as the real work happens before any hearing is scheduled. That means looking into how the arrest happened, if evidence was collected lawfully, what witnesses actually saw and said, and whether the charges filed accurately reflect the conduct alleged.

Types of Felony Cases We Handle in San Bernardino

We defend clients against the full range of felony charges filed in San Bernardino. Below is a breakdown of the case types we handle most. If your specific charge isn’t listed, please reach out anyway.

Violent crimes. Assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, carjacking, and related offenses carry long prison sentences and aggressive prosecution. We look at the incident circumstances, the credibility of witnesses, and whether self-defense claims hold up under scrutiny.
Drug crimes. Possession, sales, or transportation, the severity of a drug charge depends heavily on quantity, intent, and prior record. Some clients qualify for alternatives to conviction.
Domestic violence. Felony DV charges move fast and the evidence gathered in the first hours or days matters greatly. Police reports, medical records, and increasingly, text messages and social media all become part of the prosecution’s case.
Theft crimes. Grand theft, embezzlement, burglary, and robbery, these are legally distinct offenses that carry different penalties. The difference between theft, burglary, and robbery isn’t just terminology. It changes the charges, the defenses, and the exposure.
Sex crimes. Rape, sexual assault, molestation, and related allegations are among the most consequential charges a person can face. Convictions carry prison time and mandatory sex offender registration. These cases often hinge on credibility and physical evidence, and the defense strategy has to reflect that reality.
DUI felony. A DUI becomes a felony when it involves injury, death, or a pattern of prior offenses. The stakes are categorically different from a standard DUI. We’ve handled felony DUI cases across both the criminal court and DMV proceedings.
Murder and homicide. These charges require immediate, focused legal attention. The distinction between first and second degree murder in California affects both the defense approach and the potential sentence by decades.
Federal crimes. Not all felonies are prosecuted in state court. Drug trafficking, fraud, and firearms offenses frequently end up in federal court, where the rules and sentencing guidelines differ significantly.

Why Choose Seyb Law Group as My Felony Lawyer in San Bernardino, CA?

Attorneys Who Know the Local Courts

At Seyb Law Group, we have 13 years handling misdemeanor and felony criminal cases across California. That experience means our attorneys know how Riverside County courts work, how prosecutors approach cases, and what strategies actually move the needle for clients facing real consequences.

Spencer Seyb founded the firm on the belief that every person charged with a crime deserves serious and committed representation. No matter the charge, his approach stays the same by working towards a dismissal, fighting for reduction, and pursuing the best outcome available.

When you hire us, you get an attorney who is genuinely invested in your case. We know a misdemeanor charge can turn your life upside down, and uncertainty about what comes next only makes it harder. Contact our criminal defense lawyer in San Bernardino, CA today to talk through your situation and start building a defense.

Results in Felony Cases

Our case results include outcomes across the types of felony matters we handle most, including a Felony Domestic Violence (reduced to misdemeanor with no jail), Felony Drug Sales/Transportation (reduced to misdemeanor with no jail, Burglary (reduced to petty theft), and Spousal Battery with Injury (reduced to simple battery with no jail). While past results don’t predict future outcomes, every case depends on its own facts. We offer payment plans for legal fees so that cost isn’t the reason someone goes without a real defense team.

Understanding Felony Cases in California

Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Felony Cases

California divides felony offenses into two broad categories. Felonies can only result in felony convictions. Wobblers give the court discretion, where they can be charged or sentenced as either a felony or a misdemeanor. In some situations, a wobbler conviction can later be reduced to a misdemeanor if probation is completed successfully. Here are a few concepts that shape almost every felony defense:

Sentencing tiers. Many California felonies carry a three-tier sentence, whether that be 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison. Serious and violent felonies, such as murder, rape, robbery, carry their own longer ranges set by specific statutes. Prior criminal record and alleged enhancements can make the duration of jail time add up.
Three Strikes. California’s Three Strikes law doubles the sentence on a second qualifying strike and mandates 25 years to life on a third. Prior serious or violent felony convictions count. This is not abstract, as it changes the calculus of every negotiation and every trial decision.
Enhancements. Firearm use, gang allegations, great bodily injury, and prior prison terms are among the enhancements prosecutors routinely tack on. Challenging or getting rid of an enhancement is often as important as defending the underlying charge.
Diversion and alternatives. Depending on the charge and the defendant’s background, resolving a case without a conviction is sometimes possible, especially for first-time offenders. Whether that option exists is something to explore early, not after a plea has been entered.
Expungement limits. Most felony convictions involving state prison time cannot be expunged under California law. That makes the pre-conviction phase of defense critically important.

Important Aspects of a Felony Case

A felony case unfolds across several stages, and decisions made early affect everything that comes after.

The preliminary hearing. This is where a judge decides whether the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to trial. It’s not a formality, but an opportunity to challenge evidence, test witnesses, and sometimes get charges reduced or dismissed before trial ever happens.
Discovery. Police reports, body camera footage, lab results, and witness statements are all helpful to your legal team. Suppression motions often depend on problems identified early on in discovery.
Grand jury indictments. Some cases bypass the preliminary hearing entirely through a grand jury indictment. The process is different, and the defense posture has to adjust accordingly.
Probation eligibility. Prison isn’t the automatic outcome of every felony conviction. Whether formal probation is available depends on the charge, facts, and defendant’s history.

Felony Case Timeline

No two criminal felony cases move at exactly the same pace, but the general sequence in California is consistent.

Arrest and arraignment. You’re formally charged and enter a plea. Bail is set or denied. This happens quickly, oftentimes within 48 to 72 hours of arrest for in-custody defendants.
Preliminary hearing or grand jury. The evidentiary threshold for proceeding to trial is evaluated. For in-custody defendants, this must occur within 10 court days of arraignment unless waived.
Pre-trial motions. Motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or address constitutional violations are filed and argued here. The outcome of a single motion can change the trajectory of the entire case.
Plea negotiations. Most cases resolve before trial. Whether a negotiated plea makes sense depends on the strength of the evidence, the exposure at trial, and the client’s priorities.
Trial. If no resolution is reached, the case goes to a jury. The prosecution carries the burden of proof, beyond a reasonable doubt, on every element. An acquittal ends the case and a conviction results in sentencing.

What to Bring to Your Felony Consultation

Arrive prepared with as much information as you gather for your appointment. If you can’t organize everything before contacting us, don’t let that stop you from meeting with a member of our team.

Charging documents, court notices, or any paperwork you’ve received.
Police reports or documentation from the incident.
Names of potential witnesses.
Any prior criminal history you’re aware of.
Correspondence from law enforcement, investigators, or prosecutors.

California Legal Resources for Felony Cases

California’s criminal statutes are primarily found in the Penal Code. These resources are a starting point for understanding the legal framework around felony charges.

California Penal Code: The authoritative source for criminal statutes, sentencing ranges, and enhancement provisions under California law.
California Courts Self-Help: Information on criminal court procedures, hearings, and defendant rights from the California Courts system.
San Bernardino Superior Court: Courthouse locations, division information, and procedural details for the San Bernardino County Criminal Division.
California Department of Justice: Information on criminal records, rights restoration, and related matters from the state’s law enforcement agency.

Reach Out to Seyb Law Group to Schedule a Consultation

The earlier you have an attorney, the more options and opportunities for an effective defense exist. At Seyb Law Group, we offer free consultations for felony cases in San Bernardino, and we have payment plans so legal fees don’t become a barrier to a real defense. Contact us to set up your consultation.