Law Offices of Mark Cantrell

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It may not take a rocket scientist to be a lawyer, but Mark Cantrell has been both. Before he started his career as a Riverside criminal defense trial lawyer in 1994, he was a scientist working on classified military missile programs at the former Norton Air Force Base. He is well known in the Riverside criminal defense community as being one of the best trial attorneys for high profile cases.

Visitors to his office are invited to read copies of newspaper articles about him. He is admitted to practice in all California state and federal courts. Mr. Cantrell handles a wide range of cases but family law, DUI defense and criminal defense are his favorite areas of practice because the client can often be helped by a qualified attorney.

Mark Cantrell is a member of the San Bernardino County Bar Association (SBCBA), Inland Trial Lawyers Association, California Public Defenders Association (CPDA) and the Association of Federal Defense Attorneys (AFDA).

Why should you hire me?
I am well known in the Riverside criminal defense and the Riverside DUI defense community as a trial attorney with many successful cases to my credit. When you visit my office, I will be proud to show you newspaper articles about my cases - not paid advertisements.

Bad things can happen to good people. A divorce will never be painless but a good attorney can help you get through the crisis. My goals are to achieve a fair division of property and a good plan for raising the children. I will never tolerate pointless bickering that delays the case and increases fees so that only the attorneys benefit. My staff will draft the paperwork quickly and correctly so that we are ready to resolve the case as quickly as possible.

Criminal and DUI
Your FREEDOM is at stake. You need an experienced Riverside criminal defense and Riverside DUI defense lawyer by your side so you know that everything possible is being done to fight your case. If we decide that your case should be resolved by a plea bargain, I will do all I can to obtain the best possible result.
Each case is different, but you can always expect a vigorous defense and trial preparation when you have me by your side. In DUI cases there will be:
(1) a careful analysis of the police reports to uncover weaknesses or mistakes made by the officer in the field sobriety and chemical tests;
(2) a review by scientific experts of the breath or blood test results; and
(3) independent testing of the blood samples.
In all criminal cases, our trial preparation includes an independent investigation by licensed private investigators who will interview your witnesses and develop any possible defenses to challenge the police version of the events.
Do not be fooled by attorneys advertising extremely low fees. Their low fees are telling you that they are not worth much.
RECENT SUCCESS STORIES

It is extremely important that you retain an attorney who is not afraid to go trial and fight for you. Most attorneys never do trials despite all their tough talk in their advertisements.

There can never be any guarantees of a particular result. However, when choosing a lawyer, it makes sense to go with an attorney with a proven track record of success.

Here are a few recent cases. We have omitted the clients’ name for privacy but you can go to the court website for the complete public history.
Riverside Criminal Case Number RIF 089999. Murder case. The other defendant was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Attorney Cantrell’s client was found NOT GUILTY by the jury and went home that day.

San Bernardino Criminal Case Number FSB 055230. Attempted Murder. Attorney Cantrell took the case to jury trial. The client was NOT CONVICTED and the case was dismissed.

Riverside Criminal Case Number SWF025444. This client was falsely accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable: rape of a child. You can imagine the nightmare experienced by the accused. Attorney Cantrell took the case to trial and the case was dismissed by the Judge.

Riverside Criminal Case Number RIF 137190: Gang related attempted murder. Facing life in prison. Attorney Cantrell took the case to trial and the client was NOT CONVICTED.

Riverside Criminal Case Number INF 055020: Gang related attempted murder. The other defendant was convicted by the jury and is facing life in prison. Attorney Cantrell’s client was NOT CONVICTED at the same trial. After the trial, the case settled for less than the client offered before the trial.

San Bernardino Criminal Case Number TWV701979. Attorney Cantrell set the matter for trial and the DA reduced the case to two moving violations as infractions.

Riverside DUI Criminal Case Number INM187204. This case was a real problem for the client due to the extremely high blood alcohol level of .28 which is more that 3 times the legal limit. The DA was trying to really hammer the client. Attorney Mark Cantrell brought a motion to challenge the legality of the traffic stop and to suppress the evidence. The motion was granted and the DA was forced to dismiss the entire case.

Riverside DUI Criminal Case Number INM189120. The defendant was stopped due to "chirping tires" and arrested for DUI. Attorney Mark Cantrell brought a motion to challenge the legality of the stop and to suppress the evidence. The motion was granted and the DA was forced to dismiss the entire case.

San Bernardino DUI Criminal Case Number TWV803095: This was a DUI case where the blood test came back at .14, almost twice the legal limit. Attorney Mark Cantrell brought a motion to suppress the blood test results and the motion was granted over the strenuous objections of the District Attorney. The case was then dismissed.

San Bernardino DUI Criminal Case Number TSB 901673. Attorney Mark Cantrell was able to convince the District Attorney that the "rising blood alcohol defense" was present. The DUI was dismissed and the case settled for a ticket for speeding and no turn signal.

Riverside DUI Criminal Case Number RIF 143505. “MP” was facing state prison for a felony DUI. The District Attorney was not willing to negotiate and was demanding state prison. “MP” knew that he had made a bad choice but he had a family to support. Attorney Mark Cantrell is never afraid to go straight to the Judge and ask for a better deal. “MP” now has a new lease on life and will not be going to prison. Instead, he will only do 30 days in jail and community service.
Orange County DUI Criminal Case Number 08CF2126: “AP” was facing state prison for a felony DUI. Attorney Cantrell successfully challenged the validity of one of his prior convictions and the case was dropped to a misdemeanor. Attorney Cantrell then asked the Judge to place him in “Veteran’s Court” which is a special program designed for treatment – not punishment. “AP” will now get the help he needs and NO jail time.

Riverside DUI Criminal Case Number INM 187708: Second DUI with blood alcohol of 0.25%, which is more than 3 times the legal limit. DA wanted him to admit the high blood alcohol allegation, admit the prior, 5 years probation with the 18 month school, two year license suspension and 30 days jail. Attorney Cantrell successfully challenged the prior conviction and the District Attorney was forced to accept what the client wanted, which was a first time DUI, the 3 month school, 3 years probation and 18 days house arrest.

Riverside DUI Criminal Case Number SWM075149: This client was on probation for a DUI when he picked up another DUI. The DA wanted a second offense DUI with the usual 18 month school, interlock device, and 30 days jail. Attorney Cantrell announced ready for trial. On the first day of trial the client received what we wanted: “wet reckless,” reinstate probation, and 5 days house arrest. The DUI counts were dismissed.

San Bernardino Criminal Case Number MWV 800334: Client charged with soliciting prostitution. On the second day of trial the DA agreed to let him plead to obstructing a sidewalk.