Speak To Attorney Now
(707) 422-1202
SPEAK TO ATTORNEY NOW(707) 422-1202
Speak To Attorney Now
(707) 422-1202 SPEAK TO ATTORNEY NOW(707) 422-1202
The Choyce Law Firm, established in 2005 by Dionne E. Choyce, is a traffic, criminal defense and personal injury law firm that specializes in traffic tickets, traffic accidents and DUIs but handles serious criminal cases as well.
Choyce describes his team of local attorneys as “personable and aggressive” in the service of their clients.
“We are results-oriented and have obtained an excellent track record of results for our clients. With over 15 years of experience handling cases throughout Northern California, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional legal service no matter what,” the company’s website states. “Whether you’re facing a murder charge or fighting a traffic ticket, the lawyers at The Choyce Law Firm are on your side. We dedicate the time, resources and commitment to treating our clients with utmost respect, dignity and compassion during such a difficult time.”
Choyce’s courtroom development began at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he helped lead the McGeorge trial competition team to a regional championship in the American Trial Lawyers Association Competition.
After graduating from law school, Choyce went to work for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in Oakland, where he gained extensive courtroom experience prosecuting all phases of criminal cases, including jury trials, felony preliminary hearings, juvenile felony trials as well as misdemeanor and felony law and motion hearings before entering private practice.
Choyce received his undergraduate degree in English (with honors) from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He then went on to receive his graduate degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned his law degree from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento.
If you have been injured in a truck, motorcycle, plane or car accident, or charged with a DUI or other criminal or traffic offense, call the lawyers at The Choyce Law Firm right now! Our experienced personal injury lawyer is available to give you the answers you need to know immediately and can fight for justice and compensation with integrity and relentless enthusiasm.
It’s important to understand that there are many legal deadlines if you are injured or charged with a DUI. We are a local law firm with offices in Fairfield, CA & Sacramento, CA. We limit our practice to four areas of expertise: criminal defense, DUI defense, traffic ticket defense and personal injury. Don’t hesitate, to call our office at (707) 422-1202 for your free consultation!
This is my second time hiring Mr. Choyce for my son, who was charged with a criminal act. Both times that I hired Mr. Choyce, I was very impressed with his knowledge of the law, his professionalism, and the fact that he was relatable. He is trustworthy, tells you the truth about what you are facing. He is organized, he is a very good listener, came up with strategies that were appealing.I can’t say enough good about Mr. Choyce! I knew that he was going to give my son’s case everything he had, and he did!
Hiring the Choyce Law Firm was the best decision I made while trying to decide what to do after getting charged with a 3rd DUI. I tried to use a lawyer that I had previously used when in trouble with the law, he was near retirement and wasn’t able to give my case the attention I was looking for understanding that I was facing jail time. When contacting Mr Choyce we discussed my case and he told me he could help, he even knew my previous attorney. Mr Choyce was aggressive in fighting my case with filing motions on my behalf an trying to get my case dismissed, I was very pleased that he was not just looking to get the first deal the D.A. offered but was aggressively trying to win my case. Although we were not able to get the dismissal we were looking for he was able to keep me out of jail an I was able to serve my sentence on the EHD Program, which allowed me to keep my job an that was very important to me. Mr Choyce also handled a second case for me, I was charged with driving on a suspended license and no registration. Once again Mr Choyce was aggressive with this case and took it to trail an was able to get a not guilty verdict, which saved me a great deal of money in fines that would be pending with a guilty verdict. Overall hiring Mr Choyce and his team was the best decision I made, he provided great service at a respectable rate, an explained things as they were happening and with the charges I was facing I was very happy with the outcome of my cases that he handled. I would strongly recommend Mr Choyce and his team to anyone I know that needs legal representation he knows the law and will provide you with the best service you could hope for form a lawyer that wants to win.
“This is my second time using Mr. Choyce, and I would choose no one other than him. Both times that I hired him, it was for my son, and they were very serious cases. Mr. Choyce is smart, professional, practical, and relatable. He is a serious person, who listens, speaks in laymens terms, so that you understand what is going on. Not like some that I have experience, who talk over you, and dont take the time to really answer your questions.The second case got very close to going to trial, however, I was confident that I had the best of the best representing my son. Thank God that after willing to go to trial, we got a deal that, I think was a win win.I would definitely, without a question, hire Mr. Choyce again!”
Getting attacked by a dog can cause a lot of serious injuries that can lead to physical, emotional and financial suffering. California has a strict liability statute which means the owner of the dog is held responsible the moment a bite occurs.
But what happens if the dog is part of a government entity? The first thing you should do if you get attacked by a dog, is contact an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case and look to see what the best option is.
Police departments across California use K9 unites to assist in law enforcement. Dogs are extremely intelligent and can help detain a suspect, pursue a suspect, identify a suspect by his scent, detect illegal substances, deter crime, protect officers and control crowds. K9 units are specifically trained to not severely harm individuals, including avoiding any bites in areas such as the neck, face or spinal cord. Although, for the most part government agencies are immune from dog attacks by K9 units, there are times when police dogs attack the wrong person or are not trained in a proper way making them liable in certain situations. Again, the best way to deal with any dog attack is by contacting an experienced personal injury attorney with knowledge and expertise in government entities.
California civil code section 3342 states that no one can bring a lawsuit upon a government entity using a dog in any of the following:
Bite incidents needs to be thoroughly reviewed to determine whether the dog was necessary, the handler issued the correct commands, and the use of force was justified. It’s also important to note down information such as: the severity of the crime, the behavior of the victim, the personal characteristics of the victim such as race and ethnicity should be tracked to determine whether dogs are used against certain people and not others.
Police dogs are extremely dangerous due to the way they were trained. Dogs are taught a bite-and-hold technique for subduing individuals suspected of crimes. This type of technique applies a greater force which results in more serious injuries, including deep puncture wounds, severe crush injuries, large tissue avulsions and lacerations, wounds necessitating surgical debridement, bony injuries ranging from cortical violations to displaced fractures, neurovascular damage and other wounds prone to infections. If you’ve suffered an injury from a police dog, contact a personal injury attorney in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firmimmediately.
California’s strict liability statute for dog bites, outlined in California Civil Code Section 3342, holds dog owners automatically liable for injuries caused by their dogs. Under this law, if a dog bites someone in a public place or when the victim is lawfully on private property, the owner is responsible for any resulting damages, regardless of the dog’s past behavior or the owner’s knowledge of any risk.
Strict liability means that a dog owner cannot avoid liability by claiming they were unaware of their dog’s aggressive tendencies or that the dog had never bitten anyone before. This law is designed to protect victims by ensuring they can seek compensation for their injuries without needing to prove that the owner acted negligently. The statute applies solely to dog bites and does not cover other injuries that a dog might cause, such as those resulting from being knocked over or scratched.
Victims of dog bites in California can generally pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. California’s strict liability law reflects a strong commitment to public safety, holding pet owners accountable for their animals’ actions and offering clear recourse for bite victims.
Whether you or a loved one suffered one single bite, or a more devastating attack, you deserve an attorney who cares about your situation and is here to help make sure you are fully compensated for your injury. Our American system of law is set up only one way- to repay you for your loss with money. The insurance companies have one job – to pay you as little as possible and keep expenses as low as possible for their company. You must level the playing field by having an attorney on your side, who will fight to make sure justice is done.
Give us a call at (916) 306-0636 to speak to a personal injury attorney in Sacramento who can handle your case and take the burden off your hands.
This is my second time hiring Mr. Choyce for my son, who was charged with a criminal act. Both times that I hired Mr. Choyce, I was very impressed with his knowledge of the law, his professionalism, and the fact that he was relatable. He is trustworthy, tells you the truth about what you are facing. He is organized, he is a very good listener, came up with strategies that were appealing.I can’t say enough good about Mr. Choyce! I knew that he was going to give my son’s case everything he had, and he did!
Hiring the Choyce Law Firm was the best decision I made while trying to decide what to do after getting charged with a 3rd DUI. I tried to use a lawyer that I had previously used when in trouble with the law, he was near retirement and wasn’t able to give my case the attention I was looking for understanding that I was facing jail time. When contacting Mr Choyce we discussed my case and he told me he could help, he even knew my previous attorney. Mr Choyce was aggressive in fighting my case with filing motions on my behalf an trying to get my case dismissed, I was very pleased that he was not just looking to get the first deal the D.A. offered but was aggressively trying to win my case. Although we were not able to get the dismissal we were looking for he was able to keep me out of jail an I was able to serve my sentence on the EHD Program, which allowed me to keep my job an that was very important to me. Mr Choyce also handled a second case for me, I was charged with driving on a suspended license and no registration. Once again Mr Choyce was aggressive with this case and took it to trail an was able to get a not guilty verdict, which saved me a great deal of money in fines that would be pending with a guilty verdict. Overall hiring Mr Choyce and his team was the best decision I made, he provided great service at a respectable rate, an explained things as they were happening and with the charges I was facing I was very happy with the outcome of my cases that he handled. I would strongly recommend Mr Choyce and his team to anyone I know that needs legal representation he knows the law and will provide you with the best service you could hope for form a lawyer that wants to win.
“This is my second time using Mr. Choyce, and I would choose no one other than him. Both times that I hired him, it was for my son, and they were very serious cases. Mr. Choyce is smart, professional, practical, and relatable. He is a serious person, who listens, speaks in laymens terms, so that you understand what is going on. Not like some that I have experience, who talk over you, and dont take the time to really answer your questions.The second case got very close to going to trial, however, I was confident that I had the best of the best representing my son. Thank God that after willing to go to trial, we got a deal that, I think was a win win.I would definitely, without a question, hire Mr. Choyce again!”
In California, as in most states, the crime of homicide is classified in various ways. Each classification has specific elements that define the crime. As with all criminal statutes, if a person accused of a crime has not been proven to have committed each specific element of that crime beyond a reasonable doubt, then the accused cannot be found guilty of the offense.
The distinctions between different types of homicide usually have to do with the “mens rea” — or state of mind—element involved in the crime, although other factors can also distinguish one homicide crime from another. For example, traditionally, first degree murder is a homicide in which the perpetrator carries out the murder with “malice aforethought” — or, with the cold-hearted and explicit and premeditated intent of causing death to the victim.
If you are changed with a crime in Solano County, you need an experienced criminal defense legal team on your site. Contact a Fairfield criminal attorney for consultation about your case.
In contrast, the term “manslaughter” is distinguished from murder because the intent element does not require the specific intent to cause death.
Traditionally, “voluntary” manslaughter is when an individual is gravely provoked in such a way as to induce a violent reaction, and ends up killing another human being “in the heat of passion,” rather than after any “cooling off” period in which that person should be able to regain his composure.
For “involuntary” manslaughter, however, a mindset of “recklessness,” “abandonment,” or “gross negligence” is sufficient to define the “mens rea” of the crime. That is, if one person kills another not out of any intent or desire to cause harm, but simply as a result of acting in a manner that is heedless of the likelihood of causing harm or death, the requisite state of mind element is met for manslaughter.
Vehicular manslaughter falls into the category of “involuntary manslaughter.” Manslaughter does not lie every time an individual is killed in an automobile accident; sometimes, vehicle accidents in which people are killed truly are truly accidents, and no crime is committed.
However, if a driver operates his or her vehicle—whether it’s an automobile, boat, motorcycle, or any other vehicle—in a reckless or grossly negligent way, and that conduct results in the death of another human being, they may be facing criminal charges for manslaughter.
California Penal Code Sections 191.5 and 192 are California’s vehicular manslaughter statutes. They can be a bit confusing to decipher, but essentially vehicular manslaughter is classified into three types:
“Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated” is when the driver of a vehicle ends up killing a human being in the course of and as a result of driving while intoxicated beyond legal limits as defined by specific portions of the California Vehicle Code (which are misdemeanors), and with gross negligence. “Gross negligence” implies extreme carelessness, without any regard for the consequences or the welfare of others. Gross vehicular manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated” is when the driver of a vehicle kills of a human being in the course of and as a result of committing any of the same misdemeanors dealing with intoxication, but without gross negligence. Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is punishable by up to four years in prison, depending upon the circumstances, but normally the sentence is less than one year in a county jail.
An example of the distinction between “gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated” and “vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated” would be if, in the first case, a driver is so intoxicated or high on drugs that they cross over a highway divider at a high rate of speed and slam head-on into an oncoming car, and, in the second case, if they are driving over the legal speed limit, and the accident happens because they failed to react in a timely and responsible manner to a normal traffic situation, such as a light turning red.
“Vehicular manslaughter” not involving alcohol or drugs is the killing of a human being while operating a vehicle in the course of and as a result of: a) committing an unlawful misdemeanor other than being under the influence; b) driving dangerously; or c) intentionally causing an accident to achieve financial gain (such as collecting funds from an insurance policy).
California’s vehicular manslaughter statutes also provide that persons convicted of gross vehicular homicide while intoxicated, and who have previously been convicted of this or other specified crimes, can face a sentence of 15 years to life. In addition, if a driver’s conduct amounts to extreme “wantonness” or with a blatant disregard for the risk to human life, a prosecutor can assert that the driver’s “mens rea” amounts to “implied malice,” such that the individual can be charged with murder, rather than manslaughter. A conviction for murder in California carries a minimum sentence of 15 years to life.
As explained above, if you are charged with vehicular manslaughter in California, depending upon the facts of your case, you may be facing an extended period in prison. This means that it matters a great deal which specific crime you are charged with—and it matters whom you hire as your criminal attorney to represent you.
Fairfield criminal lawyer at our firm has extensive experience representing clients charged with vehicular manslaughter, and we will fight aggressively to preserve your rights and to preserve your freedom. Remember: for a defendant to be found guilty of a crime, every element of the crime must be shown and proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Our job is to find the weaknesses and gaps in the prosecution’s case, and to provide evidence that supports our client’s position so that the prosecution cannot prove its case. When we get to work for you, we may be able to get charges reduced or even dismissed, and, if we go to trial, you can be sure we will do our utmost to undermine the prosecution’s ability to meet its burden of proof in your case.
If you need Fairfield criminal lawyer to represent you in a vehicular manslaughter case, call The Choice Law Firm. Call (707) 422-1202 or you may use the online form right here on this website. Contact us today for a consultation.
This is my second time hiring Mr. Choyce for my son, who was charged with a criminal act. Both times that I hired Mr. Choyce, I was very impressed with his knowledge of the law, his professionalism, and the fact that he was relatable. He is trustworthy, tells you the truth about what you are facing. He is organized, he is a very good listener, came up with strategies that were appealing.I can’t say enough good about Mr. Choyce! I knew that he was going to give my son’s case everything he had, and he did!
Hiring the Choyce Law Firm was the best decision I made while trying to decide what to do after getting charged with a 3rd DUI. I tried to use a lawyer that I had previously used when in trouble with the law, he was near retirement and wasn’t able to give my case the attention I was looking for understanding that I was facing jail time. When contacting Mr Choyce we discussed my case and he told me he could help, he even knew my previous attorney. Mr Choyce was aggressive in fighting my case with filing motions on my behalf an trying to get my case dismissed, I was very pleased that he was not just looking to get the first deal the D.A. offered but was aggressively trying to win my case. Although we were not able to get the dismissal we were looking for he was able to keep me out of jail an I was able to serve my sentence on the EHD Program, which allowed me to keep my job an that was very important to me. Mr Choyce also handled a second case for me, I was charged with driving on a suspended license and no registration. Once again Mr Choyce was aggressive with this case and took it to trail an was able to get a not guilty verdict, which saved me a great deal of money in fines that would be pending with a guilty verdict. Overall hiring Mr Choyce and his team was the best decision I made, he provided great service at a respectable rate, an explained things as they were happening and with the charges I was facing I was very happy with the outcome of my cases that he handled. I would strongly recommend Mr Choyce and his team to anyone I know that needs legal representation he knows the law and will provide you with the best service you could hope for form a lawyer that wants to win.
“This is my second time using Mr. Choyce, and I would choose no one other than him. Both times that I hired him, it was for my son, and they were very serious cases. Mr. Choyce is smart, professional, practical, and relatable. He is a serious person, who listens, speaks in laymens terms, so that you understand what is going on. Not like some that I have experience, who talk over you, and dont take the time to really answer your questions.The second case got very close to going to trial, however, I was confident that I had the best of the best representing my son. Thank God that after willing to go to trial, we got a deal that, I think was a win win.I would definitely, without a question, hire Mr. Choyce again!”