Key Practice Areas

We run a criminal defense law firm that works exclusively for clients who are caught up in the web that is the adult criminal or juvenile delinquency system.  We limit our practice to the criminal arena so that we can hold our place among top-level Inland Empire criminal defense attorneys.  Our experience spans all types and all stages of felonies, misdemeanors, infractions/traffic matters, and juvenile delinquency cases.  You can call us early, so we can assist and represent you in the pre-accusatory stage of a police investigation (when you are a “person of interest” or a suspect), and so we can start early protecting your Constitutional rights and formulating your defense.  Or you can call us later for any post-conviction issues you may face.  Those include motions for new trial, probation modification or violation proceedings, and the available ways to clear your criminal record.  And of course you can retain us as your criminal defense attorneys at virtually any other point in your criminal case.

We also represent our clients in related matters that arise from or can culminate in a criminal prosecution – DMV hearings on license suspension or restriction; school expulsion hearings; and asset forfeiture cases.    
Please read more below on all of our criminal defense practice areas. 

With Donna Connally or Marcie Gardner, you get an attorney who is aggressive, creative, and informed.

Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation so that we can meet in person. If you need an attorney for a friend or family member who is in jail, we will also make a free jail visit so that s/he can meet us.

We accept payment by cash, check, or credit card (Visa, MC, Am Ex). Convenient weekend and after-hours appointments can be arranged.

(909) 635-2028
or
contact Donna and Marcie via email

FELONIES Felony charges are the most serious charges you can face in the criminal justice system.  A felony charge always carries with it the possibility of spending time in a local county jail or, worse, state prison. Together, your Inland Empire criminal defense attorneys at Connally & Gardner have handled thousands of these cases for clients.  That means we understand the seriousness of what you face -- the loss of your freedom, your job, your reputation, and sometimes your family.  Even if you are not incarcerated, a felony conviction could mean that you put a license (such as those required for nurses, real estate agents, contractors, or pilots) in jeopardy.  The types of crimes that usually result in felony charges include murder, robbery, sex crimes, assault, burglary, drug and theft crimes.  If you are facing even the possibility of these charges being filed against you, call your Inland Empire criminal defense attorney at Connally & Gardner for a consultation. Read more MISDEMEANORS Misdemeanors are crimes that the law views as less serious than felonies. That does not mean a conviction for one of these crimes is less serious to you.  The prosecutions that we commonly see as San Bernardino and Riverside County criminal defense attorneys include petty theft, possession of drugs or weapons, DUI, domestic violence, child endangerment, and some traffic citations (primarily, driving on a suspended license).  Although misdemeanors can result in jail time, many of our clients come away with just a fine.  Also, by law, some felony charges can be “reduced” to misdemeanors before conviction.  To get the best result possible, you need to contact your experienced Inland Empire criminal defense attorney at Connally & Gardner.  We understand the law and how to deal with home-town judges and District Attorneys -- whether you are headed for a trial or want us to negotiate the best result for your case. Read more JUVENILE DELINQUENCY CASES When your child is charged with a crime, you need a juvenile delinquency attorney who will help you understand the juvenile court system.  These days, the consequences for juveniles who commit crimes can be very severe, including the possibility of "strikes," sex or gang member registration, or being sent to placement or the Division of Juvenile Justice.  Yet a criminal attorney who understands the nuances of juvenile court can often avoid the most serious consequences of the juvenile system.  An experienced juvenile attorney can help negotiate a creative solution without negatively impacting your child's record.  Your Inland Empire criminal defense attorneys at Connally & Gardner have extensive juvenile delinquency experience. Read more SCHOOL EXPULSION/EDUCATION It is an unfortunate reality that in this day and age, schools are expelling students at an alarming rate.  The rules about these hearings can often be confusing to parents and students.  A thorough understanding of these rules, though, can significantly enhance the possibility of getting a good result at an expulsion hearing.  Education lawyer Marcie Gardner has represented students during expulsion hearings in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties.  She has successfully handled appeals of expulsion orders up to the San Bernardino County School Board of Education.  If your child is facing an expulsion hearing, call your Inland Empire criminal defense and education attorneys at Connally & Gardner today. Read more CLEARING YOUR RECORD/EXPUNGEMENTS Sometimes, having an arrest and/or criminal conviction in your background can cause problems for you.  For instance, it stands in the way of a job promotion, can hurt your chances at getting a state license (e.g., in real estate or nursing), or in getting custody of a child.  The criminal defense attorneys at Connally & Gardner understand your frustration at having someone remind you of that years-old conviction.  There are several allowances in the law for clearing up your criminal record. They include sealing and destruction of an arrest record, sealing a juvenile record, “expungement,” certificate of rehabilitation, and a Governor’s Pardon.  We have dealt with each one of these procedures.  Some are fairly simple and some can take much more time and work.  Also, not every avenue for clearing a criminal history can be used in every situation.  If you want to discuss the possibilities for clearing your criminal record, contact us.  We are the Inland Empire criminal defense attorneys who can review your record with you and assess what is available to you and how to get started. Read more INFRACTIONS/TRAFFIC MATTERS These are the lowest level of criminal prosecutions you can face in California.  Most infractions are traffic violations and result in the payment of a fine only.  Sometimes those fines can reach upwards of $800-$1,000.  The Inland Empire criminal defense attorneys at Connally & Gardner stay up-to-date on new and changing traffic laws.  In this way we can give the best help and advice to clients facing problems with their driver’s licenses due to excessive points on their driving records or because they are commercial drivers who face strict “no tolerance” policies regarding moving violations.  Just like some felonies can be reduced to misdemeanors, there is a short list of misdemeanors that can be reduced to infractions.  Call your well-informed criminal defense attorneys at Connally & Gardner today to schedule a consultation with us. Read more

DISCLAIMER

The legal information presented at this web site is for informational purposes only.  It should not be construed as legal advice.  You should contact a criminal attorney to consult about your particular case.  Any results set forth at this site do not represent a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding your legal situation.  A confidential relationship is not created simply by you sending unsolicited information to us by electronic mail. Furthermore, information you send may not be viewed as confidential, so you should be careful not to send confidential information about the facts of your case. The criminal lawyers at Connally & Gardner are licensed to practice law in the state of California, and this web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside the state.