Criminal Defense San Bernardino, CA

If you are charged with a criminal act, it's imperative that you retain a skilled attorney to protect your rights and to advocate for your defense. Vincent S. Hughes is an experienced, talented criminal lawyer who meticulously investigates, advocates, and represents criminal defendants throughout Southern California.

The right lawyer matters.

Mr. Hughes understands the anxiety and fear of a criminal charge and will focus on developing a defense strategy to pursue the most favorable outcome. His track record in criminal cases has led to many honors and accolades, including being listed as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2023, Top 40 Under 40 by National Black Lawyers, Elite Lawyer, Criminal Law, Lawyer of Distinction, and the Avvo Client's Choice Award.

Misdemeanor Charges Felony Charges State Charges Federal Charges DUI / DWI Traffic Violations Firearms Charges Drug Offenses Domestic Violence White Collar Offenses

Vincent Hughes: A criminal attorney who works harder and smarter.

Finding yourself charged as a criminal defendant has a wide-ranging impact on life, including emotionally, professionally, financially, and at home. Being accused of a criminal offense is a stressful situation, and extremely difficult to navigate. The threat of incarceration, fines, and a blot on your criminal record are real, particularly in San Bernardino, where career prosecutors focus on achieving the highest conviction rate possible.

Why choose us?

Vincent Hughes is not an average criminal defense lawyer. He has a reputation as being among the most talented criminal attorneys in San Bernardino and beyond.

His accomplishments reflect his deep and abiding commitment to the people he serves, his creative mind, and his breadth of legal knowledge and skill, and the inner workings of the legal system. He brings a remarkable ability to persuade when delivering well-crafted arguments or negotiating with the prosecuting attorney to reduce or dismiss the charges.

The lawyer you can trust at costs you can afford.

His approach is personalized, attentive, and personal – when represented by Mr. Hughes, you and your case matter. You have the right to an attorney but may be worried about the cost. Mr. Hughes offers his clients a rare option, with financing through "Client Credit." With this option, you can gain professional representation without paying upfront.

Criminal Cases We Handle: The Law Offices of Vincent Hughes

DUI, DWI

If you are charged with a drunk driving offense, don't assume you will be found guilty. Many DUI offenses can be successfully defended, the charges reduced, or a charge dismissed. The outcome of a charge reflects the skills and knowledge of your DUI defense lawyer. Don't take any chances with your freedom, right to drive, and permanent criminal record. Ensure you are represented by a DUI defense attorney who will do everything possible to reduce the damage.

Criminal traffic violations

Some traffic violations reach the level of being a criminal charge, either misdemeanor or felony, and are not addressed in traffic court, but in criminal court. Misdemeanor criminal traffic violations include DUI charges, reckless driving, and hit and run. Felony traffic violations include hit and run with serious bodily injury or property damage, DUI causing serious injury or death, and some others. These crimes can lead to severe penalties, including years in state prison and fines.

Firearms charges

Possession of a firearm, under some circumstances, can result in a criminal charge. The types of cases that must be resolved through the criminal justice system include carrying a concealed weapon, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, firing at an object inside an occupied building, owning some classes of firearms, brandishing or assault with a firearm, carrying a loaded gun in public, and others.

Drug offenses

While marijuana is legal for individual use in the state, many drug-related crimes are heavily punished under state law. The types of crimes that could lead to incarceration and fines include drug manufacturing, drug possession of some substances, illegal marijuana cultivation, trafficking (drug distribution), drug transportation, or crimes associated with drugs and children. When facing accusations for a drug-related crime, whether misdemeanor or felony, the quality, knowledge, and talent of your drug crime defense attorney has everything to do with the outcome of the charge.

Domestic violence

In the state of California, it is a crime to harm or threaten to harm a spouse, co-habitant, dating partner, intimate partner, or co-parent. The individual protected by these laws includes parents, children, and relatives. Charges of domestic battery, inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner, spousal battery, or other domestic violence-related offense results in severe consequences, including jail or prison time, restriction from contacting your children, entering your own home, and the long-term impact of a criminal record.

White collar offenses

White collar crimes are generally financially motivated and include public corruption, corporate fraud, embezzlement, mortgage fraud, credit card fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, accounting fraud, and many others. Defending against charges requires a depth of understanding of technology and access to professional resources such as computer experts, financial experts, and others who can present evidence to counter the arguments presented by the prosecutor.

As a defendant, you have rights.

The Constitution of the United States of America affords certain rights to those who are accused of committing a criminal act. Under both federal and state law, the accused individual has the right to an attorney, the right to confront their accusers, and the right to be free from self-incrimination.

The Fourth Amendment

Your rights don't only begin following an arrest; the Fourth Amendment also provides protections against unreasonable searches and seizures – a common rights violation. Under the Constitution, you are protected from being searched without a valid warrant or probable cause.

The Fifth Amendment

The Fifth Amendment provides many protections for those accused of committing criminal acts, including the right against self-incrimination as well as the right to an attorney during questioning.

The Sixth Amendment

The Sixth Amendment provides the right to an attorney during adversarial proceedings, including arraignment and all stages of criminal proceedings.

Other constitutional rights afforded to criminal defendants include the right to a speedy trial, the right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment, and the right against being tried for the same crime twice (Double Jeopardy).

Cases we handle

Whether you're facing an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony charge, the Law Office of Vincent S. Hughes will fight for you to guarantee that you receive a fair shake and that your constitutional rights remain intact. Attorney Vincent S. Hughes is a skilled criminal defense attorney, handling many types of criminal charges, including, but not limited to:

Infractions: Infractions are typically associated with traffic offenses; however, they can also be other criminal charges, including disturbing the peace, driving on a suspended license, and others. Infractions have no possibility of jail time; however, they do have the possibility of hefty court-imposed fines, or, when they add up – losing the legal right to drive.
Misdemeanors: A misdemeanor charge carries a maximum possible jail sentence of 364 days in prison and a court-imposed fine. Misdemeanor offenses include petty theft, DUI, vandalism, shoplifting, trespassing, drug possession, disturbing the peace, child endangerment, assault and battery, and many others.
Felonies: A felony is a more serious crime, which can be either violent offenses, or those that are non-violent. Felonies carry the possibility of incarceration in the state prison for a period of over one year and expensive, court-imposed fines. Examples of felonies include murder, attempted murder, rape, grand theft, burglary, assaults, and many drug offenses.

For a defense attorney you can trust to go the distance in defending your case, we invite you to reach out to our firm immediately after your arrest and speak with us about what we could do to help you fight back. We offer financing that allows you to have high quality defense counsel without paying in full up front. Call us – your freedoms, rights, and interests are our primary concern.

White Collar Offenses