DUFFY LAW, A Professional Corporation
Duffy Law, PC, is an Orange County criminal defense firm led by William J. Duffy, a veteran attorney with over 18 years of experience and more than 20 jury trials. The firm’s practice is deeply rooted in the California Penal Code, which serves as the primary legal framework for defining crimes and their punishments throughout the state.
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Facing a criminal charge in Orange County can be life-altering. Whether you are dealing with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, understanding the specific California Penal Code (PC) sections you are charged under is the first step toward a successful defense.
Duffy Law, PC is an Orange County criminal defense firm led by William J. Duffy, a veteran attorney with more than 20 years of experience and more than 30 jury trials. The firm’s practice is deeply rooted in the California Penal Code, which serves as the primary legal framework for defining crimes and their punishments throughout the state
The California Penal Code governs nearly all criminal offenses in the state. Below are some of the most frequently referenced statutes we handle in the Irvine and Newport Beach courts:
Crimes in California are categorized into three main levels of severity, which dictate your potential penalties:
A "wobbler" is a crime that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Examples include Grand Theft (PC 487) and Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245(a)(1)). In 2026, thanks to AB 321, we have more opportunities than ever to convince a judge to "wobble" a felony charge down to a misdemeanor at any point before your trial starts.
Yes. If you were convicted of a "wobbler" offense and successfully completed probation, we can file a PC 17(b) motion. If granted, the court reclassifies the felony as a misdemeanor "for all purposes," which can restore rights such as firearm possession (in some cases) and significantly improve your employment prospects.
PC 1170.18 allows certain non-violent property and drug crimes to be categorized as misdemeanors instead of felonies. Even in 2026, if you have an old felony record for simple possession or petty theft, we can petition the court to have those records redesignated as misdemeanors to help clear your name.
Under the California Penal Code:
Misdemeanors: Typically carry a maximum of 364 days in county jail and lower fines.
Felonies: Can lead to years in state prison. In 2026, new guidelines like AB 1087 have increased probation for certain serious offenses to 3–5 years, making it more important than ever to fight for a misdemeanor reduction early in the process.
Not automatically. A dismissal in the interests of justice under Penal Code 1385 or a prosecutor’s no-file decision is an excellent result, but your arrest record can still remain in the system. In many cases, we follow a successful defense with a Petition to Seal Arrest Records under Penal Code 851.8 so your background checks stay as clean and accurate as possible
The California Penal Code is thousands of pages long. Small details—like whether a "traumatic condition" occurred in a PC 273.5 case—can be the difference between a felony and a full dismissal. William J. Duffy’s 18+ years of experience means he knows the "gray areas" of these statutes that can be used to your advantage.
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