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Criminal Defense Attorney in Sacramento
If you were arrested in Sacramento, the days ahead matter. Randall T. Shrout is a former Sacramento County prosecutor who has spent 24 years defending people in the same courtrooms he once worked for. An arrest is not a conviction — and you do not have to face the system alone.
Defense that knows the Sacramento courts from the inside
A criminal charge in Sacramento touches everything — your job, your family, your record, and your freedom. What you do in the first days can shape the entire case. Attorney Randall Shrout brings a rare advantage to that fight: before he spent more than two decades defending people, he prosecuted cases for the Sacramento County District Attorney. He has seen how the state builds a case, where the evidence tends to be weak, and how local prosecutors decide what to charge and what to settle. That perspective is what he now uses for you.
Over his career he has handled thousands of clients and worked on more than 13,000 criminal matters, per his practice — from first-time misdemeanors to serious felonies. He is admitted to the California State Bar (#213838) and appears in Sacramento County Superior Court regularly, as well as in courthouses across all 58 California counties.
The strongest defenses are built before your first court date. Evidence gets preserved, witnesses are still reachable, and deadlines — like the DMV's 10-day clock after a DUI — have not yet run out. If you have been arrested in Sacramento, call now so nothing important slips past you.
Sacramento County Superior Court — where your case is heard
Most adult criminal cases in the city and county move through the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse at 720 9th Street in downtown Sacramento — the main criminal hall of the Sacramento County Superior Court. This is where arraignments, preliminary hearings, motions, and trials take place. Attorney Shrout practices in these courtrooms regularly and knows the judges, the local prosecutors, and the day-to-day procedures that can quietly decide how a case turns out.
That familiarity is not a small thing. Knowing which deputy DA is assigned, how a particular judge tends to rule on a suppression motion, and what a realistic resolution looks like lets him move your case efficiently and negotiate from a position of knowledge rather than guesswork.
How a criminal case moves through Sacramento
Understanding the path ahead takes some of the fear out of it. Most cases follow the same broad steps:
- Arrest and booking — you are taken into custody, and bail may be set. Early legal help can matter at this stage.
- Arraignment — your first court appearance, where the charges are read and you enter a plea. Having counsel here protects your rights from the start.
- Pretrial and preliminary hearing — for felonies, the court decides whether there is enough evidence to proceed. This is where motions to suppress evidence and challenges to the state's case are raised.
- Negotiation — many Sacramento cases resolve through a reduction or dismissal negotiated with the prosecutor. A former prosecutor knows what leverage actually moves a deal.
- Trial — if no fair resolution is offered, the case is tried before a judge or jury. Preparation and courtroom judgment decide the outcome.
Neighborhoods and areas served
The firm defends people arrested throughout the Sacramento region — downtown and Midtown, North Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Citrus Heights, and neighboring Elk Grove. Wherever the arrest happened, if the case is being heard in Sacramento County, Attorney Shrout can represent you. Consultations can be handled in person, by phone, or over Zoom, seven days a week for urgent matters.
Practice areas we defend in Sacramento
Whatever you are facing, there is a focused defense page for it. Choose the charge closest to your situation:
DUI & DWI Defense
DMV hearings, breathalyzer and blood-test challenges, license restoration, first and repeat offenses.
Learn more → HS 11350–11379Drug Charges
Possession, sales, trafficking, manufacturing, and prescription fraud. Diversion where eligible.
Learn more → PC 1203.4Expungement
Clear a past conviction, withdraw a plea, and get your case dismissed so it stops following you.
Learn more → PC 273.5Domestic Violence
Restraining-order hearings and felony or misdemeanor charges — defended without judgment.
Learn more → PC 487Theft & Fraud
Shoplifting, grand theft, burglary, embezzlement, and white-collar allegations.
Learn more → PC 240–245Assault & Battery
Simple assault, battery, domestic battery, and aggravated assault in state court.
Learn more → PC 25400 · 29800Weapons Offenses
Concealed-carry violations, felon-in-possession, and firearm enhancement charges.
Learn more → PC 1203.2Probation Violations
Violation hearings handled to minimize consequences and keep you out of custody.
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Where is my criminal case heard in Sacramento?
Most adult criminal cases go through the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse at 720 9th Street downtown — the main hall of the Sacramento County Superior Court. Some matters are heard at branch locations. Attorney Shrout appears in these courtrooms regularly.
What areas of Sacramento does the firm serve?
Downtown, Midtown, North Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Citrus Heights, and Elk Grove — plus courts across all 58 California counties. The free consultation can be handled by phone or Zoom.
Do you handle both misdemeanors and felonies?
Yes — from misdemeanor DUI, theft, and domestic-violence matters to serious felony drug, assault, and weapons cases, along with probation violations and post-conviction expungements.
How much does a Sacramento criminal defense attorney cost?
It depends on the charge and complexity. The consultation is free, the firm accepts credit cards and offers payment plans, and you get a transparent fee estimate before committing to anything.
Arrested in Sacramento? Tell Randall what happened.
Every case begins with a free, confidential consultation — an honest read on the charges, your options, and a transparent fee estimate. The sooner you call, the more can be done.
Every hour counts. Get a former prosecutor on your side today.
Free, confidential, and available seven days a week for urgent matters across all 58 California counties.