Felonies

Felony Attorney in Indio

Criminal & Immigration Defense for Felony Charges in the Coachella Valley

A felony charge in California carries consequences that reach far beyond a courtroom: state prison time, substantial fines, a permanent criminal record, and restrictions on employment, housing, and professional licensing. For clients whose immigration status is also at risk, the stakes are even higher. At Law Offices of Anastacio De La Cruz, we handle both criminal defense and immigration law, which means your defense strategy can account for every dimension of your case from a single coordinated team.

Attorney Anastacio De La Cruz was raised in the Coachella Valley and has practiced in Riverside County since his California bar admission in 2012. He knows the local courts, the prosecutorial environment, and the specific pressures Indio-area clients face. Retaining counsel before charges are formally filed can affect the trajectory of a felony case, and we’re available for same-day appointments. We also serve clients in Spanish.

If you’re facing a felony charge in Indio or anywhere in the Coachella Valley, don’t wait. Call Law Offices of Anastacio De La Cruz today at (760) 610-0606 to schedule a consultation.

A Defense Approach Built Around Your Situation

Attorney De La Cruz holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Chapman University, a background he applies directly to client communication: helping you understand what’s happening at each stage and feel heard throughout the process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Law in 2008 and is a member of the Riverside County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the California Public Defenders Association.

No two felony cases are alike. The facts, the charge, a client’s history, and any immigration exposure all shape what a sound defense looks like. Our approach is to understand your specific situation and goals before building a strategy, not to apply a generic playbook. Past clients have seen outcomes including not guilty verdicts and dismissed charges. These results reflect prior cases and can’t be guaranteed, but they speak to how seriously we approach every matter we take on.

Get the Representation Your Case Deserves

Felony charges move quickly once the process begins. The sooner we can review your case, the more options may be available. Same-day appointments are available, and we serve clients throughout Indio and the Coachella Valley in both English and Spanish. Call Law Offices of Anastacio De La Cruz at (760) 610-0606 to speak with our team today.

Felony Charges We Handle

California divides felonies into two broad categories. Straight felonies, such as murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, and certain drug trafficking offenses, can only be charged at the felony level. Wobbler offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft, certain domestic violence charges, and some drug possession offenses, give prosecutors discretion to file either a felony or misdemeanor depending on the facts and the defendant’s history. How a charge is filed has immediate consequences for sentencing exposure.

Our criminal defense practice covers a wide range of felony-level charges:

Drug Crimes: Possession, trafficking, and related offenses that can carry felony charges depending on the substance, quantity, and circumstances
Theft and Burglary: Grand theft, burglary, and related property crimes that cross the felony threshold
Domestic Violence: Charges that can be filed as wobblers or straight felonies based on alleged severity
Fraud and Forgery: Credit card fraud, forgery, and financial crimes carrying felony exposure
DUI: Felony DUI charges involving injury, death, or prior convictions

California’s Three Strikes Law imposes enhanced sentences of up to 25 years to life on defendants convicted of a third serious or violent felony. A conviction can also mean the loss of firearm rights, loss of voting rights while incarcerated, and restrictions on professional licensing. Understanding the full scope of consequences before resolving a case isn’t optional. It’s essential.

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The Felony Defense Process at the Larson Justice Center

Felony cases in Indio are handled at the Larson Justice Center, the Riverside County Superior Court facility on Oasis Street. Arraignment is the first court appearance: The defendant enters a plea, and the court addresses bail. A preliminary hearing follows, at which a judge determines whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. These early stages are where defense strategy often has the most impact.

Depending on the case, defense options may include challenging the legality of a search or seizure under the Fourth Amendment, contesting the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence, negotiating with the Riverside County District Attorney to reduce a charge from a felony to a misdemeanor, or pursuing a diversion program where one is available. For certain non-violent felony convictions, Proposition 47 allows defendants to petition for reclassification as a misdemeanor, which can reduce long-term consequences for eligible clients.

We represent clients from initial arrest through resolution, whether that means a negotiated plea, a charge reduction, or trial. Attorney De La Cruz’s experience in Riverside County’s criminal justice system informs every step of how we approach a felony case in Indio.

Felony Convictions & Immigration Consequences

For non-citizen clients, a felony conviction carries risks that go beyond the criminal sentence. Certain offenses are classified under federal immigration law as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude, categories that can trigger deportation, inadmissibility, and permanent bars to naturalization regardless of the sentence imposed. These consequences are separate from what a California court orders and aren’t automatically considered during criminal proceedings unless counsel raises them.

Because we handle both criminal defense and immigration law, we can evaluate the immigration exposure of any charge or plea offer alongside the criminal defense strategy. For undocumented clients and lawful permanent residents, knowing which outcomes carry immigration consequences and which don’t can affect whether a resolution is acceptable and how significant the consequences may be. This coordination is what the legal field calls crimmigration practice, and it’s central to how we approach felony cases for clients with immigration stakes.

Post-Conviction Relief for Prior Felony Cases

A felony conviction isn’t always the end of the road. California offers several post-conviction options depending on the case and the client’s circumstances. We handle the following forms of relief:

Direct Appeals: Challenging the conviction or sentence through the appellate courts
Proposition 47 Petitions: Seeking reclassification of eligible non-violent felony convictions as misdemeanors
Motions to Vacate: Including petitions under Penal Code section 1473.7, particularly relevant for non-citizens whose criminal defense didn’t account for immigration consequences
Writs of Habeas Corpus: Challenging unlawful detention or constitutional violations in the underlying case
Expungement: Petitioning under Penal Code section 1203.4 after completing probation for eligible convictions
Motions to Withdraw a Plea: Seeking to set aside a guilty or no contest plea in appropriate circumstances

If you believe your prior conviction wasn’t handled properly or if you weren’t advised of immigration consequences at the time, contact our office. We can review your case and discuss what relief options may be available.

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Get to Know Attorney Anastacio De La Cruz

Attorney Bio

5-Star Reviews

Keeping Families Together One Case at a Time

“Mr Anastacio De La Cruz has been nothing but a blessing for my family”
Mr Anastacio De La Cruz has been nothing but a blessing for my family, he took my son case and handled it with care and puts a lots of effort into delivering the best results we could ever ask for, forever thankful that we got referred by another client of him

- Esmeralda Q-Shayne
“He has truly given my father a second chance to regain his family”
Working with Anastacio De La Cruz was a pleasure, all the staff in the office were truly helpful.He recently helped my dad out with getting his cases dismissed. He has truly given my father a second chance to regain his family. They were always on top of their game, with our case always advicing us what was the right thing to do.
Once again Thankyou Anastacio for being an awesome lawyer, continue helping those who are in need.

- Tomas Quintero
“There’s no words to describe his hard work”
Hello everyone I would like to take the time to appreciate and thank Anastacio de la Cruz and his people for everything he has done for me, to give me another opportunity in life to do well and become a better person. There’s no words to describe his hard work. He’s definitely a lawyer I’d 100% recommend to anyone who needs help of any sort . He will do the best of his ability and won’t give up.

- Ulysses Almanza
“Thanks to the lawyer Anastacio de la Cruz for helping me fight my criminal case”
Thanks to the lawyer Anastacio de la Cruz for helping me fight my criminal case in court and being able to eliminate all the charges that were brought against me, I recommend him, he is a very good lawyer 👍

- Eulises Card
“His prices are the cheapest out there I highly recommend anastacio de la Cruz”
I highly recommend law offices of ANASTACIO DE La Cruz. He went above and beyond with his services he handled my restraining order case he got it dismissed.
Also his staff was very friendly and helpful they answered all my questions and concerns. His prices are the cheapest out there I highly recommend anastacio de la Cruz!!!!

- Juan Osorio
“Mr.De La Cruz went above and beyond in assisting me and my legal short comings”
I hired Mr.De La Cruz when I found myself needing some serious legal help. I had multiple cases on my plate at the time. As a single mother, it was almost impossible to juggle working full time, attending school, on top of having to be in court. Mr.De La Cruz went above and beyond in assisting me and my legal short comings. He treated me with the utmost respect. While having Mr. DLC on my team I was able to continue life stress free! Thank you Anastacio for all you’ve done for me! I couldn’t have done it without you! You are one of the BEST if not THE best attorney this valley has to offer.

- Bianca Acuna

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Client Convenience
Anastacio De La Cruz is dedicated to ensuring that his clients’ legal needs are met and exceeded. We speak Spanish, offer consultations, and offer same-day appointments.
Focused on You
We have strong ties to our community and are dedicated to our clients. Let us begin preparing your defense and work towards securing the best outcome possible.
Reputation & Expertise
We are the only law firm in the area that handles an in-depth service of immigration and criminal defense law. Judges and legal professionals come to us for advice.