Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Criminal Defense lawyers serving Solano County, CA >
Peter Firpo
Back to Search Results
Peter Firpo
Firpo Law Firm
PO Box 398
Benicia, CA 94510
Phone: (707) 434-9798 | Fax: (707) 736-3032
Experienced Trial Attorney
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
I provide experienced defense representation to adults and juvenile persons accused of violations of criminal laws whether traffic, driving under the influence, misdemeanor violations and/or felony violations.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
- False Identification
- Truancy
- Misdemeanors
- Parole
- Probation
- Probation
- Perjury
- Plea Negotiation
- Search & Seizure
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Parking Tickets & Towing
- Traffic - Moving Violations
- Hacking
- Malicious Code
- Unauthorized Access
- Expungement or Expunction
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Constitutional Rights Defense
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insurance Claims
- Money Laundering
- Tax Evasion & Fraud
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Trespass
- Vandalism
- Abduction
- Child Abuse
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Trafficking in Women
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1976
Bar Number: 68882
Other Court Admissions
U.S. Eastern District, U.S. Northern District, California Supreme Court, Superior Courts of California.
Association Memberships
Solano County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attended a Death Penalty Seminar in 2006 and Juvenile Defense Practice Seminars 2004. I also participated in various Criminal Defense Seminars dealing with DNA, identification, and drug defense.
Example Cases
I successfully represented a plaintiff in a lawsuit for malpractice against her therapist for implanting false memories of childhood sexual abuse. I litigated successful appeals in the District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, CA.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of Florida
City:
Gainesville
State:
FL
Year:
1973
Focus and Accomplishments:
Intern at Public Defender's Office.
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of California at Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1970
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: Political Science.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The firm was established in Solano County in 1995, focused primarily on criminal defense work in Solano and Napa County.
Previous Employment Summary
I trained as a litigator with the Solano County Public Defender Office, Vallejo and Fairfield, California for over ten years. I also worked as the Second Level Conflict Attorney in Napa County, California for five years.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
The law and the evidence code are complicated matters which cannot quickly be mastered. A client can develop a false sense of expertise which could cause problems at the trial level.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
A lawyer's time and advice is his stock in trade; it has a market value for which compensation is required. An attorney is as willing to give advice for a fee as is a doctor who dispenses medical advice for a fee.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Coaching takes a lot of time in that it involves teaching another what the attorney already has learned. The fee for coaching a client through a case may actually exceed what an attorney might charge for doing the case. I have been advisory counsel to defendants in the past.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
The people who operate in the legal community, meaning police, prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys have the power to do great good or great harm. Our society is often shaped by the signature of a judge on an order. Think of desegregation, gay marriage, death penalty, abortion, privacy, search and seizure; these were all impacted by the signature of a judge on a court order.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Like any work, the more trials you have done, the better you are in the next one. Many years of trial work, being in court, arguing motions, and negotiating cases cannot be duplicated by reading a book or attending a seminar.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
The judicial system does not work unless both sides are vigorous advocates for their respective position. Our system of justice is based on the premise that the truth is more likely to be found after an adversarial proceeding.
What do you like best about your career?
The work is challenging as one looks for weakness in the elements to be proven.
Tell us about your law firm:
This is a low overhead firm not driven to charge high fees in order to maintain a fancy lobby, cherry furniture or a Corinthian leather chair.
What are your strengths and style?
What is unique is the number of criminal cases I have litigated over the years. A criminal arena is akin to combat. The more experienced participants are more likely to succeed. The expertise gained from prior trials benefits my subsequent clients.
I practice vigorous advocacy.
Personal Interests:
I am interested in military history and history in general.
Office Manager/Assistant
Megan
Fax
(707) 736-3032
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
There are no fixed prices for misdemeanors or felonies. The fees are fact-based and depend on the court location, the complexity of the case and the severity of punishment facing an accused. There are different fees if the case is likely to settle short of trial, and higher fees if the case is likely to go to trial.
Hourly Rates
$250 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
No. I do not do free consultations just as doctors do not do free medical examinations. My time and experience have a value. I charge hourly consultation to see if I should be involved in the case at $250 per hour.
Typical Retainer
In a criminal case, the full fee for representation is required before any general appearance is made in the Superior Court.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
