Christopher Walsh

I am a former homicide prosecutor, and Chief Assistant District Attorney, with extensive jury trial experience. I have been an attorney for 18 years. I am an accomplished trial lawyer and have a broad range of specialized experience in the field of criminal law. As a prosecutor I was assigned the most serious cases in the offices where I worked. I have tried numerous sexual assaults, gang, driving under the influence, and homicide cases. As a prosecutor, and in private practice, I handled officer involved shooting reviews and use of force cases and have developed expertise in this area. I have been recognized for my work as a trial lawyer, and prosecutor, including twice being selected as Prosecutor of the Year.

I started Walsh & Nguyen law firm, along with another former prosecutor, to provide the highest quality legal representation in personal injury cases and criminal defense. We specialize in representing victims who have been hurt by crime and get them financial justice. We also focus on representing law enforcement and good people who find themselves, on occasion, on the wrong side of the law and provide expert criminal defense. We intentionally take on a limited number of cases in order to give each client the attention their case deserves.

Criminal Law

Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

DUI & DWI

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights

Personal Injury

Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Juvenile Law

• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
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California

State Bar of California

ID Number: 235118

Since 2004

Partner

Walsh & Nguyen

2022 - Current

Associate

Mastagni Holstedt, A Professional Corporation

2021 - 2022

Assistant District Attorney

Nevada County, CANevada

2017 - 2021

Deputy District Attorney

County of Santa Clara

2013 - 2017

Deputy District Attorney

County of Fresno

2007 - 2013

Deputy District Attorney

County of Kings - California

2005 - 2007

Excelsior College

B.A. | History

Oak Brook College of Law

J.D. (2004) | Law

Honors: with honors

10.0 Rating

Justia Inc

2023

Prosecutor of the Year

Fresno County

Trial Attorney of the Year

Santa Clara County

State Bar of California  # 235118

Member

Current

Nevada County Bar Association

Current

Sacramento County Bar Association

Current

California DUI Lawyers Association

Current

Q. Is it violation of due process rights for a magistrate to allow an officer/"witness" a break to get off the stand and

March 8, 2023

A: A magistrate is given a lot of discretion in situations like the one you've described. It sounds like the officer was probably newer and unfamiliar with the issue. Almost any police officer who is a sworn peace officer and has completed a law enforcement academy would be qualified to testify pursuant to Proposition 115. This is a basic foundational issue. When it comes to allowing a witness to take a break or controlling the method and flow of examination of witnesses, a judge is typically allowed to do what they want unless it is a blatant abuse of discretion. For example, if the witness was testifying concerning a critical factual issue, like whether he was able to identify the defendant in the case, it is very unlikely the judge would have allowed him to take a break to confer with a supervisor at that juncture. A good defense attorney can use the fact that the witness had to take a break before answering such a basic question to undermine the credibility of that witness.

Q. Can you be arrested for probation violation, when you've been off probation for 2 yrs

January 11, 2023

A: The short answer is no. However, you should be careful. If you had any violations in the past, it is likely that the court may have extended your probation term. Also, if you have more than one case there can be overlapping terms. Often times someone will be on "informal probation" still for an offense from years ago. Ultimately, if your probation term had in fact expired, and you were arrested for a probation violation from this expired case, then you would have a defense to this new charge.

Q. If my adult son has failure to appear warrant for vandalism/trespass & is living at home with us, can we be arrested?

January 6, 2023

A: It's not likely that you would face any type of criminal responsibility for your son living in your home (under most circumstances) based on what you have described. There are two potential crimes that I'll discuss. First, aiding and abetting a crime. In order to prove the crime of aiding and abetting the following elements would have to be proven: 1. A person committed a crime. 2. You knew that the person (in this case your son), committed the crime. 3. Before or during the commission of the crime you intended to aid and abet the person committing the crime. AND. 4. Your words or conduct did in fact assist aid and abet the person in committing the crime. In your situation, there is no aiding and abetting if the crimes have already been committed (so, it's not "before or during the commission"). If your son is simply not going to court when he is supposed to, he is in violation of his release terms, which is why a warrant was issued, but as long as you are not doing anything to conceal him from law enforcement then it is difficult to see any liability on your part. Second, the crime of accessory after the fact. In order to prove this crime, it would have to be proven that you knowingly harbored, concealed, or aided a felon, in order to protect the person from arrest, trial, conviction, or sentencing. The key issue here is your intent and is very fact specific. For example, if your son happens to live at your house, goes out and commits a crime that you had nothing to do with, and gets a warrant issued, you're very unlikely to get in any type of legal trouble. On the other hand, if your son is running a drug business out of your house that you reasonably had to be aware of, and you do nothing about it, then you could face liability. However, if your son did not normally live at your house, committed a felony and was on the run from the law and was hiding out at your house to evade capture, and you knew about it and were helping to conceal him, then you could face liability. These examples are obviously not exhaustive. For specific legal advice you should confidentially talk to a lawyer and give your complete details.