Joshua Tree Attorney Joseph T. Rhea

Attorney Joseph T. Rhea is the only criminal defense trial lawyer in the state of California with a doctorate from Harvard University. Mr. Rhea is a former Deputy Public Defender and his practice is devoted almost exclusively to criminal defense. Attorney Rhea has tried and defended hundreds of criminal cases and works with each client individually to craft the best defense.

Some Recent Results:

I. Driving Under the Influence

Client charged with DUI causing Death — No Jail.
Client charge with DUI on Federal Land — Dismissed.
Client charged with .12 blood alcohol DUI — Dismissed for Speedy Trial Violation
Client charges with .09 blood alcohol DUI — Dismissed for Serna Violation.
Client charged with .16 blood alcohol DUI — Dismissed for Ingersoll Violation.
Client charge with .16 blood alcohol DUI — Dismissed (excessive time to blood draw).
Client charged with.18 blood alcohol DUI — Hung Jury, plead to infraction of speeding, $300 fine.
Client charged with DUI with accident — Jury verdict, “NOT GUILTY”.
Client charged with .18 — Dismissed on suppression motion.
Client charged with .10 blood alcohol DUI — Plead to infraction of coasting, $100 fine.
Client charge with DUI causing Death and Great Bodily Injury (passenger) — No Jail.
Client charged with Second Time DUI — Plead to infraction of speeding, $250 fine.
Client charged with .24 blood alcohol DUI — Dismissed for Serna violation.
Client charged with .33 blood alcohol DUI -- Dismissed for Forced Blood Draw Violation
Client charged with .14 blood alcohol DUI — Plead to coasting, $100 fine.

II. Drug Charges

Client charged with Transporting Marijuana from Mexico — Dismissed (no continual observation form the border).
Client charge with Felony Transportation of Marijuana — Dismissed (no probable cause for the stop).
Client charged with Felony Cultivation of Marijuana — Dismissed (California MMP defense).
Client charged with Felony Possession of Mushrooms — Plead to infraction of disturbing the peace, $100 fine.
Client charged with Possession of Marijuana for Sale — Dismissed (California MMP defense).
Client charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine — Plead to infraction of making loud noises, $50 fine.
Client charged with Possession on Federal Land — Dismissed.
Client charged with Felony Possession of Cocaine — Dismissed.
Client charged with Diversion of Hospital Narcotics — Dismissed.
Client charge with Manufacture of Methamphetamine — Not held to answer (Dismissed).
Client charged with Hand-to-Hand Sales of Marijuana — Dismissed.
Client charged with Transporting 3lbs of Marijuana through an International Airport — Dismissed on 995 motion.
Client charged with transporting MDMA from Thailand through an International Airport — Plead to an infraction, $200 fine.
Client charged with possession of methamphetamine for sale — Dismissed.

III. Crimes of Violence and Other Crimes

Client charged with Battery — Jury Verdict “NOT GUILTY.”
Client charged with Felony Embezzlement — Dismissed on 990 motion.
Client Charged with Lewd Conduct — Dismissed on Serna Motion
Client charged with Attempted Murder of spouse with a firearm — Case Dismissed following successful appeal.
Client charged with Spousal Rape — Case plead to the infraction of disturbing the peace, $100 fine only.
Client charged with Assault with Deadly Weapon on a Child — Jury verdict “NOT GUILTY.”
Client charged with Felony Domestic Violence — Jury verdict “NOT GUILTY.”
Client charged with Intimidation of a Witness — Case Dismissed.
Client charged with Terrorist Threats on a Domestic Partner — Case Dismissed.
Client charged with Child Molestation — No Filing.
Client charged with Child Endangerment with a DUI — Plead to the infraction of speeding.
Client charged with Kidnapping — Case Dismissed with a Stipulation to Probable Cause for the Arrest. $25 court fine only.
Client charged with Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Child — Stipulation to Probable Cause for Arrest, Case Dismissed.
Client charged with Child Endangerment with a DUI — Case Dismissed for violation of speedy trial right.
Client charged with False Imprisonment — Case Dismissed.

Academic Credentials:

University of San Francisco J.D. (2003), Law Review
Harvard University M.A. (1991)
Harvard University Ph.D. (1996)
University of North Carolina B.A. with Honors (1989)

Professional Memberships

NACDL: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
CPDA: California Public Defenders Association
CACJ: California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Call Joshua Tree Criminal Defense and DUI Attorney Joseph T. Rhea at (760) 327-3711 to schedule a free consultation.