Felony Lawyer Orange County
If you are facing a felony charge in Orange County, a conviction can mean state prison, a permanent criminal record, lost employment, and restrictions on housing and civil rights that follow you for decades.
Seyb Law Group has been defending clients against serious felony charges in Southern California for over 13 years. Our attorneys handle everything from violent crimes and drug offenses to felony DUI cases and federal charges, and our goal is always the same: dismiss the charges, reduce them, or achieve the best outcome the facts allow. If you need an experienced Orange County, CA felony lawyer, contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Seyb Law Group for Felony Defense in Orange County, CA?
Deep Knowledge of Orange County Courts
Our attorneys have appeared in Orange County courthouses for over 13 years. We know how the Orange County District Attorney’s office approaches different charges. We understand what arguments resonate with local judges and what ones fall flat. Attorney Nathan Gjesdal graduated from Chapman University Fowler School of Law in 2008 and has since had felonies reduced to misdemeanors in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties. He has also spent years building working relationships in specialty courts, including those serving military veterans and individuals dealing with addiction or mental health issues.
Managing Partner Spencer Seyb founded Seyb Law Group on one conviction: every criminal defendant deserves quality representation. He graduated from Trinity Law School in Santa Ana in 2011 and has since litigated hundreds of criminal cases throughout Southern California in both Federal and California State Superior Courts. When you’re facing felony charges, you want a criminal defense lawyer in Orange County, CA who has appeared in Orange County courts many times.
A Record of Getting Charges Dismissed or Reduced
Results are not guaranteed in any criminal case. But our case history reflects what persistent, strategic defense can accomplish. We have obtained:
- Felony domestic violence charge reduced to a misdemeanor with no jail time
- Felony drug sales and transportation charge reduced to a misdemeanor with no jail time
- Felony DUI with injury charge dismissed, with probation
- Burglary charge reduced to petty theft
Our results reflect our firm’s track record across a wide range of felony and criminal cases. While prior results do not guarantee a future outcome, they do demonstrate the range of what is possible with a strong defense strategy.
Aggressive Defense Strategy for Serious Felony Charges
A felony case requires a different level of preparation than a misdemeanor. Evidence has to be challenged before it reaches a jury. Witnesses have to be scrutinized. Charging documents need to be read carefully for constitutional issues. Our Orange County felony attorneys dig into every case from the start, whether that means filing a motion to suppress illegally obtained evidence or negotiating with prosecutors before charges are formally filed.
We also offer flexible payment plans so that cost does not become a barrier to real representation.
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
“I can’t say enough good things about Seyb Law Group. From the very first conversation, I felt heard, supported and truly cared for-not just as a client, but as a person. Spencer and his team guided me through a very difficult time with professionalism, kindness, and a steady hand. I am deeply grateful for the way they fought for me and stood by my side. Exceptional service and true value for the money-highly recommend.” — Csilla Grauzer
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Felony Cases We Handle in Orange County
Our firm defends clients against the full range of felony charges brought in Orange County and throughout Southern California. Below are the primary charge categories we handle.
- Violent crimes. Assault, battery, robbery, murder, carjacking, and other offenses that carry serious prison exposure in California. We examine the evidence against you, scrutinize witness accounts, and build the most effective defense the facts will support.
- Drug crimes. Felony drug charges include possession with intent to sell, drug trafficking, and drug manufacturing. Depending on your history and the circumstances, diversion programs may be available as an alternative to prosecution.
- Sex crimes. Rape, sexual assault, child molestation, and related charges carry mandatory sex offender registration in addition to prison time. The consequences of a conviction extend well beyond any sentence imposed by the court.
- Theft crimes. Grand theft, embezzlement, robbery, felony shoplifting, and burglary are all chargeable as felonies depending on the dollar amount involved and the circumstances of the offense.
- Federal crimes. Wire fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking across state lines, and other offenses charged in U.S. District Court require an attorney who is licensed to practice in federal court. Spencer Seyb and Nathan Gjesdal are both licensed in both Federal and California State Superior Courts.
- Felony DUI. A DUI becomes a felony in California when it involves injury to another person, is a fourth offense within ten years, or involves certain aggravating factors. The difference between a misdemeanor and felony DUI conviction is significant, and the defense approach should reflect that.
California Legal Requirements for Felony Charges
How Felonies Are Classified in California
California organizes felony offenses into three sentencing tiers under Penal Code Section 1170. Lower-level felonies carry sentences of 16 months, two years, or three years, typically served in county jail under the Realignment Act. Mid-level offenses carry two, three, or four years. The most serious felonies, including murder and rape, carry determinate or indeterminate state prison terms that can range from several years to life.
Wobbler Offenses
Many California felony charges are classified as “wobblers,” meaning they can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor at the prosecutor’s discretion. Under Penal Code Section 17(b), a court may also reduce a wobbler felony to a misdemeanor at sentencing or after successful completion of probation.
Felony Sentencing Enhancements
California law provides for sentencing enhancements that can dramatically increase prison exposure. Prior serious or violent felony convictions trigger the Three Strikes Law under Penal Code Section 1170.12, which can double the sentence for a second strike or result in a mandatory 25-years-to-life sentence for a third. Firearm use, gang involvement, and causing great bodily injury are among the other factors that add time. Understanding which enhancements the prosecution is pursuing, and challenging them when possible, is a critical part of building your defense.
Preliminary Hearings and Grand Jury Indictments
Before a felony case goes to trial in California, the prosecution must establish probable cause, either through a preliminary hearing in Superior Court or through a grand jury indictment. The preliminary hearing is an opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence early. Our experienced felony attorney can sometimes get charges reduced or dismissed at this stage before the case ever reaches a jury. For more on how California courts work, the California Courts official website provides a useful overview of the criminal process.
Important Aspects of an Orange County Felony Case
The Arraignment and Bail
Your first court appearance after a felony arrest is the arraignment. At this hearing, you enter a plea and the court addresses bail. In felony cases, bail amounts can be substantial, and in some cases prosecutors will argue for remand. How your attorney presents you at this stage, and whether they can argue effectively for reasonable bail conditions, sets the tone for everything that follows.
Pre-Trial Motions
Felony cases often turn on what evidence the prosecution is allowed to use. A motion to suppress evidence obtained through an unlawful search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment can eliminate a prosecutor’s key evidence entirely. Motions challenging the chain of custody of physical evidence, the admissibility of statements, or the reliability of eyewitness identifications can all shift the outcome. This phase of the case is where experienced Orange County felony attorneys earn their fees.
Plea Negotiations
Most criminal cases in California are resolved through plea agreements rather than trial. That does not mean a defendant should simply accept the first offer. Prosecutors make stronger offers when they know the defense has done the work: filed motions, gathered evidence, interviewed witnesses, and is genuinely prepared for trial. Our attorneys negotiate from a position of preparation, not desperation. When a reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor charge is available, we pursue it.
Trial Defense
When a case goes to trial, everything matters: jury selection, opening statements, cross-examination, and the narrative the defense presents from beginning to end. Spencer Seyb has litigated hundreds of criminal cases throughout Southern California. Nathan Gjesdal has had cases dismissed and felonies reduced to misdemeanors across five counties. Both are licensed to practice in both state and federal court.
Collateral Consequences
A felony conviction in California carries consequences well beyond the sentence itself. Convicted felons lose the right to possess firearms under Penal Code Section 29800. Professional licenses in fields including nursing, real estate, and contracting can be suspended or revoked. Immigration status can be affected. The ability to obtain housing, employment, and certain forms of credit is directly impacted. Understanding the full scope of what is at stake is something we address with every client at the start of representation.
Contact Seyb Law Group
A felony charge is serious. But a charge is not a conviction. There is almost always more that can be done than people initially realize, and the earlier you get an attorney involved, the more options you have. As soon as you retain our services, we begin protecting your rights: when you’re in police custody, during questioning with law enforcement, and in court. We’re squarely on your side.
Seyb Law Group offers free consultations, and we’re available around the clock because criminal situations do not follow a schedule. Contact us to speak with our Orange County felony lawyer and get a clear picture of where your case stands and what we can do about it.
Felony Statistics in Orange County, CA
County-level breakdowns are available through the state’s OpenJustice crime statistics portal, which publishes arrest and disposition data reported by local agencies. Numbers like these matter because every felony arrest in Orange County, CA stands for a person whose future depends on how the case gets handled.
Questions to Ask a Felony Lawyer Before Hiring
Choosing a felony defense attorney is one of the more consequential decisions you will make while a case is open. Not every lawyer who advertises criminal defense has actually tried felonies in front of an Orange County jury. The questions below help you tell genuine courtroom experience from marketing.
- How many felony cases have you handled in Orange County? Local familiarity counts. A felony attorney who appears regularly at the Santa Ana courthouse knows the judges, the prosecutors, and how cases proceed.
- Have you taken felony cases to trial, or do you settle everything? Prosecutors keep track of which defense lawyers are willing to try a case. A lawyer with real trial history negotiates from strength and knowledge.
- Who will actually work on my case? At some firms, the attorney you meet at the consultation is not the one who shows up in court. Knowing your point of contact is part of working with an attorney productively.
- What outcomes are realistic given my charges? No honest Orange County felony lawyer guarantees a result, but an experienced one can give you likely scenarios. Enhancements matter too, so ask how the lawyer would fight a weapons charge allegation if one applies.
- How do you challenge the evidence against me? We assess the search and seizure, chain of custody, and witness reliability. Felony cases are often won or lost on the prosecution’s proof, so ask how the lawyer plans to defend you.
- Can my charges be reduced or dismissed? Many California felonies are wobblers, and some qualify for diversion. Ask whether a reduction, a drug diversion program, or an outright dismissal might fit your situation.
- What collateral consequences should I worry about? Immigration status, gun rights, and professional licensing. A conviction can impact aspects of your life that have nothing to do with a courtroom.
- What is your fee structure? Ask whether payment plans are available. We offer them, because cost should not decide whether someone gets a defense.
- Are you licensed in federal court? Some felonies, including certain fraud and trafficking charges, are prosecuted federally. Not every state-court lawyer can follow you there. If your matter could go federal, whether your attorney can represent you is important.
- What is your plan for the preliminary hearing? That hearing is an early chance to weaken or end the prosecution’s case. A felony lawyer who treats it as a formality is leaving an opportunity on the table.
- How will you keep me informed? Communication breaks down more often than cases do. Ask how, and how often, you will actually hear from your attorney.
Orange County Felony Lawyer FAQs
How much does an Orange County felony lawyer cost?
Cost depends on the charges, the complexity of the evidence, and whether the case goes to trial. We talk about fees at the first meeting, and we offer payment plans so representation stays within reach. The consultation with our felony defense attorney is free, and you are under no obligation to hire us afterward.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. We offer free consultations for felony matters across Orange County, CA. You can sit down with a lawyer, describe what happened, and get an honest read on your situation without paying anything. There is no obligation attached. We would rather you make an informed decision than a rushed one.
Can a felony be reduced to a misdemeanor in California?
Oftentimes, yes. Many charges are wobblers, which means the law allows either classification. A reduction can come at filing, sentencing, or after probation. Whether it applies depends on the offense and your record. Our Orange County felony attorneys pursue reductions wherever the facts support one.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor generally carries up to a year in county jail. A felony exposes you to longer custody, sometimes state prison, plus consequences that outlast any sentence. Distinctions between related offenses, like theft, burglary, and robbery, also determine how a case gets charged.
How long do prosecutors have to file felony charges?
California sets time limits. Under Penal Code 800, the statute of limitations is six years for felonies punishable by eight or more years in prison. Most other felonies carry a three-year limit. The most serious offenses, including murder, have no limit.
Will I have to go to jail?
Not necessarily. Many of our felony clients, from those facing a grand theft count to serious violent charges, avoid custody entirely through dismissals, reductions, diversion, or probation. The arraignment sets bail, and what follows depends heavily on the defense mounted early. Remember that a charge is not a conviction.
Do you handle domestic violence felonies?
Yes. Felony domestic violence is among the charges we defend most often, and we also handle domestic violence defense matters that involve restraining orders. These cases tend to turn on credibility and evidence, both of which we scrutinize closely from the start.
What about a probation violation on a felony?
We represent clients accused of violating felony probation terms. A probation violation can carry real exposure, including revocation. Whether your supervision is summary or formal probation, we work to keep a violation allegation from undoing progress you have already made.
Can a felony conviction affect my job or license?
It can. A conviction may put a professional license at risk in fields like nursing or real estate, and it can complicate employment for years. We raise these stakes early, because the courtroom outcome is only part of what is at risk.
Can a felony be cleared from my record later?
Sometimes. Depending on the offense and how the case resolved, expungement or other post-conviction relief may be available. We can tell you during the consultation whether your case might qualify and what the process would look like.
Local Information for Orange County Felony Cases
Orange County Courthouses and Local Criminal Justice Resources
Felony cases in Orange County are heard mainly at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, the county’s largest courthouse and the hub for felony arraignments and trials. Knowing where your case will be handled, and which agencies are involved, takes away some of the uncertainty that makes a felony charge so stressful. Below are the offices defendants and families reach out to most.
Local Resources for Orange County Felony Defense
We provide the following resources for convenience only. If you have questions about felony defense, please contact us immediately.
- Central Justice Center: The Orange County Superior Court. 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, (657) 622-6878. Where most felony matters in the county are arraigned and tried.
- Sheriff’s Department: The Orange County Central Men’s and Women’s Jails. 550 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, (714) 647-4666. The intake and release center for those held in custody.
- Public Defender: For Orange County. 801 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, (657) 251-6090. Appointed counsel for those who qualify financially.
- Probation Department: For Orange County. 1055 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, (714) 569-2000. Handles supervision, presentence reports, and probation.
Seyb Law Group does not endorse and is not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above. This information is offered as a courtesy, may change over time, and should be confirmed directly with each office.
About Seyb Law Group
Spencer Seyb built Seyb Law Group on a simple principle, that everyone accused of a crime deserves a real defense, not a rushed plea. The firm represents the accused only, never the prosecution, and has built its practice around felony cases of every kind across Southern California. Among the results that reflect that approach is a spousal battery with injury charge reduced to simple battery with no jail time. Consultations are free, and payment plans keep quality defense within reach.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I highly recommend hiring Seyb Law Group for any criminal case you have. My wife and I had some issues a while back, which lead to me getting arrested for domestic violence. It was a really scary situation, but Nate guided me through the process and got my case dismissed!” — Rakesh Agrawal
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Contact Seyb Law Group
A felony charge puts your freedom and your future at risk, and the right defense can change both outcomes. Our Orange County felony lawyers will review the charges, explain your options in plain language, and tell you honestly what we can do. The first consultation is free, payment plans are available, and you will speak with an attorney who handles these cases rather than an intake screener. We answer calls around the clock. Contact us to start the conversation whenever you are ready.
