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The Bay Area's Best Criminal Defense Attorney Since 1998
Awards & Accolades

Redwood City Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being charged with a crime is a threshold moment in a person’s life. Their reputation in the community is gravely damaged, and their very freedom is often at risk. It’s an unfortunate reality that, even though defendants are innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law, they are often abandoned by neighbors, friends, and sometimes even their own family. Defendants need to be able to rely on their lawyer. Defendants need to have confidence that their attorney believes in them, communicates with them, and knows how to fight for them. That’s the kind of legal counsel defendants get at the Law Offices of Dean Johnson

Attorney Dean Johnson’s track record is underscored by the fact that he’s made multiple appearances on national television platforms, ranging from MSNBC to CNN to Fox, to comment on legal affairs. The network of investigators he works with includes a forensic analyst who helped consult for the TV show CSI. We’re proud of all that, and they can give clients confidence in our reputation. 

What we’re most proud of, though, is the impact we make on the defendants we’re honored to serve. Attorney Johnson believes strongly in a personalized approach to the law—we know how deeply personal it is for our clients, and we want to be in the trenches with them. You’ll never be just another number at the Law Offices of Dean Johnson. You’ll talk directly with your lawyer as we work to craft a defense strategy. The strong reviews we’ve gotten from our past clients are what matter, and we’re determined to earn the trust of everyone who comes to us for help. 

Call our office today at (650) 832-9446 to get a free consultation.

What To Expect in a Redwood City Criminal Case

If you have never been involved in the criminal justice system before, the process in and around Redwood City can feel confusing and intimidating. After an arrest, you may be taken to the Maguire Correctional Facility, and your first appearance is typically an arraignment in San Mateo County Superior Court where charges are read and bail or release conditions are addressed. Understanding this sequence helps you and your family stay grounded and prepared rather than feeling blindsided at each step by what a criminal defense lawyer Redwood City courts regularly sees as routine procedure. We take time to explain where your case stands, what documents you will receive, and how your decisions at each hearing can affect the road ahead.

Following arraignment, many cases move into a phase of pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and negotiations, all of which take place on the court’s calendars in downtown Redwood City. During this stage, we review police reports, videos, forensic evidence, and witness statements with a critical eye, and we may file motions to suppress or exclude evidence when appropriate. For someone meeting with a criminal defense attorney for the first time, we clarify the difference between dismissals, plea agreements, diversion programs, and trials so you can weigh the pros and cons of each path. Our goal is to give you enough clear, practical information that you can participate actively in your defense rather than feeling like a bystander to your own case.

If your case does proceed toward trial, preparation becomes even more focused, and that preparation is shaped by local rules and scheduling practices of the San Mateo County court system. Jury selection, presentation of evidence, and witness examination all follow specific procedures that can feel formal and overwhelming if you are not ready for them. By meeting with a criminal defense attorney Redwood City residents trust well in advance, you can discuss possible testimony, the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence, and the range of potential outcomes so you can plan for work, family, and financial obligations. Throughout this process, we stay in close contact so you always know the next court date, what will happen there, and what you can do to help us present your side of the story effectively.

Reach out to the Law Offices of Dean Johnson at (650) 832-9446 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation with our Redwood City criminal defense attorney.

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Defense That Matters

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS, SAFEGUARDING YOUR FUTURE

No matter how complex or contentious your situation is, we will clearly outline your options and develop a thorough strategy for achieving your objectives.

Versatile Legal Defense in Redwood City and the San Francisco and Silicon Valley Areas

The reasons people can be charged with crimes are wide-ranging. They can be violent acts, such as homicide or domestic violence. They can be cases like fraud or embezzlement, with their complex paper trails and digital footprints. The Law Offices of Dean Johnson has been here since 1998, and we’ve handled cases that run the gamut in criminal defense law. Furthermore, as a former prosecutor, Attorney Johnson brings a different perspective to a case. He knows from firsthand experience that our system is far from perfect. That means mistakes get made, and he knows how to go about investigating to find those mistakes. 

When you are facing charges in San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, you need a calm, strategic plan that takes into account how local judges and prosecutors handle cases. We can help you understand what to expect at arraignment, pretrial hearings, and trial so you can make informed decisions about your future alongside a criminal defense attorney Redwood City residents can turn to for guidance. By walking you through each stage and explaining your options in plain language, we aim to reduce the fear and confusion that so often come with a sudden arrest.

Many people are unsure when to call a lawyer or whether their situation is serious enough to need help, especially if they have never been in trouble before. We encourage anyone under investigation, contacted by law enforcement, or served with a warrant in or around Redwood City to seek legal advice quickly from a criminal attorney Redwood City defendants can speak with before talking to the police. Early involvement allows us to help protect your rights during questioning, preserve important evidence, and begin building a defense while memories and records are still fresh.

Because the Bay Area is a hub for technology and finance, some cases here involve complex digital evidence, financial records, and allegations that cross city or even state lines. When these factors are present, and a case is filed out of Redwood City or nearby communities, having a criminal lawyer Redwood City clients can rely on who is comfortable working with forensic analysts and investigators can make it easier to challenge the way that evidence was gathered or interpreted. This detail-oriented approach can be especially important in white-collar, internet-related, or multi-defendant cases where the paper trail tells only part of the story.

In situations where a person has prior convictions or is worried about immigration consequences, sentencing laws and the collateral effects of a conviction under California law can feel overwhelming. A defense attorney Redwood City residents consult with should consider not only the immediate charges but also how different outcomes might affect employment, licensing, or residency. We take time to discuss these broader concerns so you can weigh the risks and benefits of options such as diversion, plea negotiations, or going to trial in a way that matches your goals and family responsibilities.

Some of the criminal defense issues we regularly address for people in and around Redwood City include:

  • Serious felony charges, such as homicide, assault, and other violent offenses, can carry lengthy prison sentences and long-term consequences if not handled carefully from the outset.
  • Domestic violence allegations that may involve emergency protective orders, no-contact conditions, and child custody concerns in addition to the criminal case itself.
  • Financial and fraud-related crimes, including embezzlement, identity theft, and other white collar accusations that often require a close review of bank records, business documents, and digital data.
  • Internet and technology-related offenses arising from the region’s strong tech presence, where electronic evidence, devices, and online activity may play a central role in the prosecution’s theory.
  • Post-conviction and sentencing issues such as probation violations, expungement eligibility, and requests for relief that can affect a person’s record and opportunities in the future.

Reach out to the Law Offices of Dean Johnson at (650) 832-9446, where we answer the phone 24/7. Or, use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

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  • “He Won Our Case”
    “Dean represented me in a civil harassment case with my lunatic neighbor. We couldn’t have been happier with the outcome! Dean totally exceeded our expectations. Thanks to him, we had a few great chuckles and could sleep a little better at night.”
    - Jon J.
  • “Best Lawyer. Period.”
    “He is the best lawyer period. If you are looking for a lawyer who can totally understand and support you through your ordeal, better call Dean!”
    - A.
  • “Cannot Recommend Him Enough”
    “I would like to commend Attorney Dean Johnson for his A+ legal services. He recently achieved the unthinkable—through his expert defense, he got the CA DMV to dismiss a .20+ BAC DUI for me.”
    - Anthony S.

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