Practice Areas

Vehicle Offenses

Jeff Zimel is a Riverside County criminal defense attorney providing exceptional legal defense for all crimes, including vehicle offenses.

• Some common types of vehicle offenses are:
• Driving without a valid license (Vehicle Code 12500)
• Driving with a suspended or revoked license (Vehicle Code 14601)
• Reckless Driving (Vehicle Code 23103)
• Hit and Run (Vehicle Code 20001, 20002)
• Evading Police (Vehicle Code 2800.1, 2800.2)
• Vehicular Manslaughter (Penal Code 191.5)

If you have been arrested for and/or charged with a vehicle offense, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with vehicle offenses. He has an outstanding record of jury trial acquittals and plea bargain reductions in his representation of clients charged with vehicle offenses.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with a vehicle offense in Riverside County, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Jeff Zimel is a Riverside County criminal defense attorney providing exceptional legal defense for all crimes, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases.

In the State of California, the crime of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), or Drunk Driving actually involves 2 separate charges. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle in State of California with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher. (Vehicle Code 23152(b)). It is also illegal to drive while "under the influence" of alcohol and/or drugs. (Vehicle Code 23152(a)).

Conviction for a first offense will result in a fine, completion of an alcohol education program, 6 month suspension of your driver’s license, and possibly jail time. If you have prior convictions for DUI within the last 10 years, the penalties will be significantly higher.

In addition to the misdemeanor charges and possible criminal penalties, the DMV will begin administrative proceedings against you to suspend your license. YOU HAVE 10 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF YOUR ARREST TO REQUEST A HEARING AT THE DMV. Otherwise, your driver’s license will be suspended by the DMV.

If you have been arrested for DUI, you must contact an experienced DUI criminal defense attorney. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with DUI, and he has experience handling DUI cases in court and at the DMV. Mr. Zimel has an outstanding record of jury trial acquittals, plea bargain reductions, and DMV hearing victories in his representation of clients charged with DUI.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with DUI, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Domestic Violence

Jeff Zimel is a Riverside County criminal defense attorney providing exceptional legal defense for all crimes, including domestic violence cases. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with domestic violence crimes, including:

• Inflicting Injury on Spouse (Penal Code 273.5)
• Battery against Spouse, Cohabitant, or Fellow Parent (Penal Code 243(e))
• Violation of Restraining Orders (Penal Code 166)
• Stalking (Penal Code 646.9)
• Criminal Threats (Penal Code 422)
• Child Abuse / Neglect (Penal Code 273)
• Elder Abuse (Penal Code 368)

"Domestic violence" is defined as physical abuse committed upon a spouse or former spouse, cohabitant or former cohabitant, someone you are dating or have dated in the past, and/or the other parent of your child. Domestic violence cases also include child abuse, child endangerment, elder abuse and violations of restraining orders.

Simply because the alleged victim does not want to prosecute the case does not automatically mean your case will not be filed or that it will be dismissed after you have been charged. The District Attorney can prosecute you for domestic violence even if the victim is uncooperative.

Domestic violence offenses may be charged as felonies or misdemeanors, depending on, among other things, the prior history of violence in the relationship and the extent of the injuries inflicted. If you are convicted of a domestic violence offense, you may be required to participate in a 52 week anger management program, attend parenting classes, pay a fine, and serve jail time.

If you have been arrested for a Domestic violence case, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with domestic violence. Mr. Zimel has an outstanding record of jury trial acquittals plea bargain reductions, and non-prosecution in his representation of clients charged with Domestic Violence.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with a Domestic Violence offense, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Sex Crimes

Jeff Zimel is a Riverside County criminal defense attorney providing exceptional legal defense for all crimes, including sex crimes. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with sex crimes, including:

• Sexual Assault (Penal Code 269)
• Sexual Battery (Penal Code 243.4)
• Rape (Penal Code 261)
• Statutory Rape (Penal Code 261.5)
• Oral Copulation (Penal Code 288a)
• Sodomy (Penal Code 286)
• Sexual Penetration (Penal Code 289)
• Child Molestation (Penal Code 288)
• Obscene Matter / Pornography (Penal Code 311)
• Pimping / Pandering (Penal Code 266)
• Prostitution (Penal Code 647(b))
• Indecent Exposure (Penal Code 314)
• Lewd Conduct (Penal Code 647(a))
• Sex Offender Registration (Penal Code 290)

Conviction of specific sex crimes in California will result in a life-time requirement to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law. Your name, address, photograph, and offense may be listed on the Department of Justice’s website. This can result in public humiliation and scorn.

Sex crimes are easy to allege and difficult to defend. Jeff Zimel will work with you to expose false allegations of sex crimes through the use of investigators, polygraph examinations, forensic psychologists, and medical experts.

The negative public perception of sex crimes makes the defense of these charges particularly challenging. If you have been arrested for a sex crime, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Since 1991, Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with sex crimes. Jeff Zimel has an outstanding record of jury trial acquittals, plea bargain reductions, and non-prosecution in his representation of clients charged with sex crimes.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with a sex crime in Riverside County, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Theft Crimes

Jeff Zimel is a Riverside County criminal defense attorney providing exceptional legal defense for all crimes, including theft crimes. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with theft crimes, including:

• Petty Theft (Penal Code 484, 490.5)
• Grand Theft (Penal Code 487)
• Burglary (Penal Code 459)
• Robbery (Penal Code 211)
• Carjacking (Penal Code 215)
• Possession of Stolen Property (Penal Code 496)
• Auto Theft (Penal Code 487(d))
• Unlawful Taking or Driving of a Vehicle (Vehicle Code 10851)
• Credit Card Fraud (Penal Code 484)
• Checks with Insufficient Funds (Penal Code 476)
• Forgery (Penal Code 470)

If you have been arrested for a theft crime, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Since 1991, Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with theft crimes. Jeff Zimel has an outstanding record of jury trial acquittals and plea bargain reductions in his representation of clients charged with theft crimes.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with a theft crime in Riverside County, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Juvenile Law

Minor (under age 18) offenders may be charged with any felony or misdemeanor crime. Minors 16 years of age or older and Minors 14 years of age or older charged with certain crimes may be charged as adults if the court finds them unfit to be dealt with under the juvenile court law.

Minors charged in the juvenile court may be sentenced to prison (California Youth Authority) or jail (Juvenile Hall), removed from the family home and ordered to live in a youth camp or group home, or released to the family on probation.

In some cases, Minor offenders may be eligible for Deferred Entry of Judgment or Informal Probation and have their charges dismissed upon successful completion of these programs.

If you or your child has been arrested for a Juvenile law case, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Jeff Zimel has represented hundreds of clients charged in the Juvenile Court. Mr. Zimel has an outstanding record of favorable results in his representation of clients charged in Juvenile Court.

If you or your child has been arrested for or are charged with a Juvenile law offense in Riverside County, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Drug Crimes

Jeff Zimel is a Riverside County criminal defense attorney providing exceptional legal defense for all crimes, including drug crimes. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with drug crimes, including:

• Drug Possession (Health & Safety Code 11350, 11357, 11377)
• Drug Sales (Health & Safety Code 11352, 11360, 11379)
• Drug Possession with Intent to Sell (Health & Safety Code 11351, 11351.5, 11359, 11378, 11378.5)
• Drug Transportation (Health & Safety Code 11352, 11360, 11379)
• Drug Manufacturing (Health & Safety Code 11379.6)
• Possession of Materials with Intent to Manufacture ((Health & Safety Code 11383)
• Cultivation of Marijuana (Health & Safety Code 11358)

Since 1991, Jeff Zimel has defended clients accused of crimes involving Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana, Heroin, PCP, Opium, Psilocybin (mushrooms), prescription drugs, Ecstasy, and others.

First time, non-violent drug offenders may be eligible to participate in drug rehabilitation under the Drug Diversion Program or Proposition 36. Successful completion of these rehabilitation programs can result in your charges being dismissed.

If you have been arrested for and/or charged with a drug offense in Riverside County, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Jeff Zimel has an outstanding record of obtaining jury trial acquittals, plea bargain reductions, and rehabilitation programs for his clients charged with drug offenses.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with a drug offense in Riverside County, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Three Strikes

In the State of California, any person charged with a felony who has 2 or more PRIOR "strike" convictions can be sentenced to 25 years to Life in State prison. A person charged with a felony who has 1 PRIOR "strike" conviction is ineligible for probation and must serve at least 80% of his/her prison sentence. Prior "strike" convictions are either "serious" felony crimes (Penal Code 1192.7) or "violent" felony crimes (Penal Code 667.5). Being charged with any current felony charge can trigger the Three Strikes law if you have prior "strike" convictions on your record.

The judge has the discretion to dismiss alleged prior "strike" convictions in the interests of justice under People v. Superior Court (Romero). The judge must consider the nature and circumstances of the current felony charge(s) as well as the Defendant’s background, character and prospects for the future.

Jeff Zimel has represented hundreds of clients charged under the Three Strikes law since its inception in 1994. Mr. Zimel has successfully argued numerous Romero motions and convinced judges to dismiss clients’ prior "strike" convictions in the interests of justice.

If you are charged with a Three Strikes crime in Riverside County, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Violent Crimes

Jeff Zimel is a Riverside County criminal defense attorney providing exceptional legal defense for all crimes, including violent crimes. Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with violent crimes, including:

• Arson (Penal Code 451)
• Assault with Deadly Weapon (Penal Code 245)
• Battery (Penal Code 242)
• Attempted Murder (Penal Code 664/187)
• Homicide
• Murder (Penal Code 187)
• Manslaughter (Penal Code 192)
• Kidnapping (Penal Code 207, 209)
• False Imprisonment (Penal Code 236)
• Brandishing a Firearm or Weapon (Penal Code 417)
• Shooting a Firearm (Penal Code 246, 247, 12034)

Jeff Zimel has been representing clients charged with violent crimes since 1991. Mr. Zimel understands the complex nature of these charges and the factual and legal defenses available to defend against them, including self-defense, defense of another, heat of passion, coercion, duress, battered women’s syndrome, intoxication, and mental impairment. He employs licensed private investigators, psychologists, forensic experts, pathologists, fingerprint analysts, and ballistic experts to assist in our zealous defense of our clients.

If you have been arrested for and/or charged with a violent crime in Riverside County, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Since 1991, Jeff Zimel has represented thousands of clients charged with violent crimes. He has an outstanding record of obtaining jury trial acquittals and plea bargain reductions for his clients charged with violent crimes.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with a violent crime in Riverside County, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.

Gang Crimes

The District Attorney’s office aggressively prosecutes crimes committed by alleged gang members. However, NOT ALL CRIMES COMMITTED BY ALLEGED GANG MEMBERS ARE GANG CRIMES as defined by the Penal Code. It is a crime to be an active participant in a criminal street gang and promote, further, or assist in felonious conduct by members of the gang. Penal Code 186.22(a). There is also a gang crime enhancement that can add substantial prison time to the punishment for the underlying charge. Penal Code 186.22(b). In order for the gang enhancement to apply, the Prosecution must prove that the underlying felony was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang.

The negative public perception of gang crimes makes the defense of these charges particularly challenging. If you have been arrested for a gang crime, you must contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Jeff Zimel has represented hundreds of clients charged with gang crimes. Mr. Zimel has an outstanding record of jury trial acquittals and plea bargain reductions in his representation of clients charged with gang crimes.

If you have been arrested for or are charged with a gang crime, contact Jeff Zimel for a Free Initial Consultation today.