FAQs

What types of cases has Alyssa worked on?

Alyssa’s experience is broad, including but not limited to defending clients accused of:

  • murder, attempted murder, and accessory to murder

  • manslaughter

  • rape

  • child molest

  • child endangerment / abuse

  • kidnap / false imprisonment

  • domestic violence

  • assault

  • assault with a firearm

  • assault on a police officer

  • shooting at an occupied dwelling

  • shooting from a motor vehicle

  • possession of contraband (guns, ammo, drugs, child porn, etc.)

  • robbery

  • burglary

  • theft / fraud

  • mayhem

  • DUI

What jurisdictions does Alyssa practice in?

Alyssa centers her practice on Superior Court cases in Plumas County and will consider cases in surrounding areas. She is licensed to practice law in the State of California.

How long does a criminal case take?

Every case is different.

Sometimes, police refer an incident to the prosecutor who reviews the incident but doesn’t charge any crimes. In those instances, a case is never even opened in criminal court.

When the prosecutor does file charges, your attorney will evaluate the case to help set expectations about how long it will take. You have a right to a speedy trial, but exercising that right has upsides and downsides. Your attorney will help advise you on whether it’s helpful or hurtful to proceed in a speedy status based on your unique situation.

Even the simplest cases take a couple months or more. It is common for complex cases to take a year or more.

Can my case get dismissed?

That’s not something any defense lawyer can promise.

There are cases where Alyssa has obtained dismissal, and there are other cases where dismissal is just not a reasonable expectation.

Alyssa evaluates the state of the evidence and holds the prosecutor to their burden of proof. Sometimes cases are dismissed when a prosecutor realizes (after Alyssa’s hard work) that there is no way they can prove their case.

Alyssa makes motions for the Judge to dismiss a case when there is a legitimate legal basis to do so, such as the deprivation of due process.

Alyssa also screens her clients for diversion eligibility. Diversion is a way for certain individuals to earn a dismissal of the case, after the passage of time and participation in constructive programming (things like: therapy, classes, etc).