SAN BERNARDINO CRIMINAL DEFENSE · SINCE 1974
Violent & Serious Felony Defense in San Bernardino
When the allegations carry lasting consequences, every element, enhancement, and proposed resolution deserves a disciplined defense.
Your case is more than the label on the charging document.
A serious felony allegation can put years of your life at stake. It can also create pressure to make decisions before you understand the evidence or the consequences. You need a defense that looks closely at the facts, the legal classification, and the result you are being asked to accept.
James M. Glick has practiced criminal defense since 1974, with a longstanding focus on San Bernardino County. The office handles violent and serious felony matters and offers a place to discuss the allegations without reducing your situation to a headline.
The defense goal should be clear: challenge what the prosecution cannot prove, identify available legal defenses, and evaluate every proposed resolution against the full consequences. Where a negotiated result is appropriate, the question is what it achieves for you—and what it leaves on your record.
“Serious,” “violent,” and “strike” have specific legal meanings.
| Code section | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Penal Code § 1192.7(c) | Defines the statutory list of serious felonies. |
| Penal Code § 667.5(c) | Defines the statutory list of violent felonies. This list overlaps with, but is not identical to, the serious-felony list. |
| Penal Code § 667(b)–(i) | Contains California’s legislative Three Strikes sentencing framework. Application depends on qualifying prior convictions and the current case. |
| Penal Code § 1170.12 | Contains a related Three Strikes sentencing framework that also requires case-specific analysis. |
A colloquial description of an incident does not determine its statutory classification. The charged subdivision, allegations, prior record, and facts that must be proved can change the analysis. For example, the treatment of a burglary or injury allegation can depend on additional statutory facts. Review the actual charging papers rather than relying on a shorthand label.
Challenge the evidence and the added allegations.
Depending on the case, the defense review may focus on identity, intent, credibility, the sequence of events, the basis for a claimed injury, or whether the evidence supports an asserted weapon allegation. Self-defense and other defenses require careful analysis of the circumstances and the governing instructions.
- Compare eyewitness accounts with video, physical evidence, and the timeline.
- Examine what the prosecution must prove for the charged offense and any added allegation.
- Review the records offered to establish a qualifying prior conviction.
- Evaluate any search-and-seizure issue and the procedure for raising it.
- Consider the long-term consequences of a proposed plea, not just the immediate custody term.
No added allegation should be treated as established merely because it appears in a complaint. At the same time, a responsible defense assessment must account for evidence that increases risk. Preparation and candor belong together.
Build the discussion around your real priorities.
Tell the office about custody status, the next hearing, employment, dependents, and any existing orders. Bring the complaint or information, release paperwork, and available records of prior cases. Ask how the scope of representation, investigation, fees, and communication would be handled.
A plea that appears attractive in the short term may carry consequences for later cases or other parts of life. Ask for those consequences to be explained before making a decision. Potential resolutions depend on the law, the evidence, and the court—not a blanket assurance that a strike will be removed.
Common serious felony questions
Is every felony a strike?
No. Strike analysis concerns qualifying serious or violent felony convictions and the applicable sentencing statutes. The offense, subdivision, findings, and prior record must be examined.
Does an allegation of violence make the case a statutory violent felony?
Not automatically. The statutory list and any required facts control. “Serious” and “violent” are legal classifications, not interchangeable descriptions.
Can a strike allegation or enhancement be challenged?
There may be factual, legal, or discretionary issues to evaluate. What can be challenged or dismissed depends on the particular allegation and governing law; relief is not automatic.
Serious allegations deserve serious preparation.
Call (909) 889-1446 to discuss the charges, any alleged strike priors, and the next hearing. Ask for a clear assessment of the risks and available defense paths.
Call the OfficeGeneral California legal information, reviewed for this draft on October 13, 2026. The charge, facts, prior record, and law applicable to the case control the available defenses and remedies. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contacting the office does not establish an attorney-client relationship.