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Monterey County Criminal Defense Lawyers
Aggressive and Compassionate Advocacy to Secure Favorable Legal Outcomes
Facing criminal charges in California is not an insignificant matter. Regardless of how progressive some may feel our state is, we still have strict criminal statutes that include Three Strikes Laws. Whether you're facing misdemeanor or felony charges, the potential for incarceration and lifelong consequences are ever present. This is why you need to work with a legal professional that's extremely knowledgeable in cases like yours. Our Monterey County criminal defense lawyers may be able to help.
At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, we handle criminal cases of all kinds. Our professional network includes some of the top experts in the fields of crime scene investigations and reconstruction, ballistics, digital forensics, cell phone experts, and our area's leading mental health professionals, including substance abuse experts. We pride ourselves on providing excellent representation, and we have no problem taking on the most complex criminal defense issues. The simple fact is that police and prosecutors will often focus more on securing a conviction than achieving real justice. Fortunately, you don't have to deal with this on your own. Contact our Monterey County criminal defense attorneys today for a free consultation.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
Contact a Monterey County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Criminal law in California is not something to take lightly. Statistics show that 4-6% of individuals incarcerated in America are innocent people. There are also those who were overcharged or had their rights violated, and imprisonment simply isn't appropriate in these instances. If you're on the fence about hiring a Monterey criminal defense lawyer, it's time to make the right decision.
At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, we are dedicated to securing favorable outcomes on behalf of all our clients. A conviction can destroy a person's family, reputation, future employment prospects, and so much more. Our goal is to ensure our clients don't face such outcomes. Whether you're in Monterey County or Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, or Monterey County, we're nearby and ready to assist.
You can reach us in just 5 minutes driving from Monterey Veterans Memorial Park, and we're only a short walk away from Monterey City Hall. If you're coming from the Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), we're less than 4 miles away along Monterey Salinas Highway. Contact us at (831) 480-9217 to schedule your free consultation. We'll put you in touch with a Monterey County criminal defense attorney today.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
You'll have no problem finding a criminal defense attorney in Monterey County. However, how do you know you're choosing the right law firm? At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, there are various reasons we believe that our legal team is right for your case:
Before starting his own practice, William V. Pernik was showing up to court as a public defender. In fact, this was his first major foray into law — and it lasted from 2007 through 2015. He provided dedicated legal counsel to individuals charged with criminal offenses, including gang cases, capital homicides, and DUI three strikes cases. His history of getting clients results has led to William V. Pernik being featured in the Super Lawyers list for 2025 and the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for 2019-2021.
Experience is important, but local experience is even more beneficial. For criminal cases in Monterey, you want someone who has worked in the community for years. These lawyers have relationships with authorities, judges, investigators, and other professionals that can prove invaluable to a case. William V. Pernik served in the Public Defender Office of Monterey before opening his own practice, so he's been in the community for years.
William V. Pernik didn't spend years as a public defender in Tulare and Monterey County because the money was great. He did it because he truly believes in justice. This is also why our law firm has its own licensed investigator with decades of experience. We try to make justice accessible to everyone. That's why we provide free consultations and offer discounts for current and former service members.
Experience goes a long way in the legal field. However, what's really important is results. Will the law firm you hire conduct its own investigation? Do they have a private investigator on staff? Our law firm offers these services and so much more. Leading the way is founding attorney William Pernik. As a Certified Specialist in criminal law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Attorney Pernik's unique insights to every type of criminal case can give you an advantage.
Our law firm takes mental health advocacy very seriously. Far too many people in and around Monterey, CA are prosecuted when they really need intervention. During his time as a public defender, Attorney William V. Pernik took a special interest in cases that involved serious substance abuse disorders, military veterans, and individuals facing developmental and mental disabilities. Mental Health Diversion is a powerful tool that can change a person's life and potentially help them avoid jail.
Plenty of people come to us because they've heard about our success in DUI, homicide, and other serious cases in the Monterey area. However, these are far from our only practice areas. You want a law firm with experience in cases like yours. At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, we consistently work in all the following legal areas:
If you're facing criminal charges in these or other related practice areas, our legal team is here to help you fight back. And if you're accused of a crime that we feel would be better suited for another law firm, we'll point you in the right direction.
You'll have no problem finding a criminal defense attorney in Monterey County. However, how do you know you're choosing the right law firm? At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, there are various reasons we believe that our legal team is right for your case:
Before starting his own practice, William V. Pernik was showing up to court as a public defender. In fact, this was his first major foray into law — and it lasted from 2007 through 2015. He provided dedicated legal counsel to individuals charged with criminal offenses. During this time, he successfully represented people accused of the most serious crimes — including gang cases, capital homicides, and DUI three strikes cases.
Experience is important, but local experience is even more beneficial. For criminal cases in Monterey, you want someone who has worked in the community for years. These lawyers have relationships with authorities, judges, investigators, and other professionals that can prove invaluable to a case. William V. Pernik served in the Public Defender Office of Monterey before opening his own practice, so he's been in the community for years.
William V. Pernik didn't spend years as a public defender in Tulare and Monterey County because the money was great. He did it because he truly believes in justice. This is also why our law firm has its own licensed investigator with decades of experience. We try to make justice accessible to everyone. That's why we provide free consultations and offer discounts for current and former service members.
Experience goes a long way in the legal field. However, what's really important is results. Will the law firm you hire conduct its own investigation? Do they have a private investigator on staff? Do they represent clients in a variety of circumstances — ranging from plea negotiations to trial? At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, we offer these and so many other benefits. That's why every attorney at our law firm has a stellar record of helping clients avoid convictions and secure favorable outcomes.
Our law firm takes mental health advocacy very seriously. Far too many people in and around Monterey, CA are prosecuted when they really need intervention. During his time as a public defender, Attorney William V. Pernik took a special interest in cases that involved serious substance abuse disorders, military veterans, and individuals facing developmental and mental disabilities. Mental Health Diversion is a powerful tool that can change a person's life and potentially help them avoid jail.
Plenty of people come to us because they've heard about our success in DUI, homicide, and other serious cases in the Monterey area. However, these are far from our only practice areas. You want a law firm with experience in cases like yours. At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, we consistently work in all the following legal areas:
- Child abuse and neglect
- DUI/DWI
- Sex Offenses and P.C. 290 Violations
- Juvenile crimes
- Record expungement
- Theft and property crimes
- Domestic violence
- Federal crimes
- Probation violation
- Violent crimes
- Drug charges
- Homicides
- White-collar crimes
- Serious and violent felonies
If you're facing criminal charges in these or other related practice areas, our legal team is here to help you fight back. And if you're accused of a crime that we feel would be better suited for another law firm, we'll point you in the right direction.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has
Asked
Questions
Our law firm is in the business of securing positive outcomes for our clients. The best way we can do this — and the only way to provide personalized answers to your questions — is for you to schedule a free consultation and sit down with criminal defense lawyer. However, the following general questions can give you a better idea of what you're up against:
"What is a wobbler?"
A "wobbler" is a crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony under California law. If charged as a misdemeanor, a person will usually only face up to one year in jail. If the prosecution opts to charge a crime as a felony, incarceration in a state prison is possible — sometimes for decades.
"Can my criminal record be expunged?"
California does allow certain individuals to have their records expunged. In some instances, this process is automatic. However, that's not always the case. If convictions on your record don't automatically fall off, you'll need to submit paperwork requesting an expungement. It's typically wise to work with a Monterey County criminal defense lawyer during this process to ensure you provide the judge with everything they need to approve your request.
"Can I be sued after charges are dismissed or I'm found not guilty?"
Having an experienced criminal lawyer on your side can prove invaluable to avoiding the most severe penalties under the law. However, not everyone is "in the clear" legally just because they avoid a conviction. In some cases, alleged victims may still sue you (e.g., personal injury cases). This is a separate legal matter altogether, but a not guilty verdict in a criminal trial can go a long way in avoiding civil damages.
"Should I make a deal with the prosecutor?"
The majority of criminal cases are resolved without a trial. In some instances, this is because charges are dropped. However, it's more often the case that the prosecutor will make a plea deal with an accused person. While a plea deal might be the right move in your case, you should never agree to such an arrangement until you speak with a criminal defense attorney in Monterey County. A legal professional will help you understand your options.
"What if the prosecution will not offer a fair plea deal?"
Put simply, you should not worry about a plea deal until your attorney has had time to review it. However, it's worth noting that prosecutors will sometimes want to "make an example" out of defendants — or they may simply refuse to accept a deal that's fair for all sides. In such cases, it's important to work with a criminal defense attorney who has trial experience. At the Law Offices of William V. Pernik, we're not afraid of the courtroom. Let us review your case.