H.A. Sala

(661) 322-1708

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R.L. Hutchison

                                                                                          
 
                             
                                                                                        
 
 
              Areas Of Practice:
              •Narcotics Trafficking
              •Driving under the influence
              •White Collar Fraud
              •Embezzlement/Theft
              •Domestic Violence
              •Assault/Battery
              •Conspiracy

 

 

About Mr. Hutchison:

Mr. Hutchison is a native son of Bakersfield where he was born, raised, educated, and where he now practices as a criminal litigator.  He has spent his life fostering meaningful relationships in the local and legal communities.  As a result of his deep ties to the community, Mr. Hutchison knows the judges and the district attorneys, and they respect and admire his tenacity in defending his clients.  More importantly, he has been mentored by the best and brightest defense attorneys since childhood, and is now associated with Kern County’s preeminent criminal defense attorney: H.A. Sala. 

Mr. Hutchison’s approach to criminal defense is proactive and aggressive.  He stresses thorough pre-trial preparation and swift action at the very critical first stages of a criminal prosecution to secure a dismissal or reduction of all charges.  As a product of his Bakersfield upbringing, Mr. Hutchison relishes a legal fight. When it benefits his clients, he will proceed to jury trial, where he provides a thorough, aggressive and state of the art criminal defense.    

While our system of justice considers that an accused person is “innocent until proven guilty,” the accused is up against experienced, government-funded prosecutors and officers trained in giving incriminating testimony.  Mr. Hutchison will loyally protect his clients because of a committed belief that defending their constitutional rights will hold the prosecutor to the requirement that he or she must prove every part of the case against his clients.  When constitutional rights are upheld, the result is more likely to be just.

Regardless of the severity of the charges, Mr. Hutchison has a fierce desire to protect the reputation and freedom of each and every client.  He provides his clients with a voice to be heard in Kern County’s unforgiving criminal justice system, and fights every step of the way to tell their story.

Mr. Hutchison considers it an honor and a privilege to defend his community.

Mr. Hutchison is one of those rare individuals who is a success at everything he does and is committed to the pursuit of professional excellence, and to strict personal and professional ethics.  He received his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California.  Mr. Hutchison graduated in the top of his class cum laude, and with Academic Honors designations.  He was also recognized for numerous academic distinctions bestowed upon only a select few who reach academic excellence during the pursuit of their legal degree—including a recommendation of publication for law review for his work scrutinizing California’s exorbitant and dysfunctional death penalty system.  Mr. Hutchison was admitted to The California State Bar after passing the bar exam on his first attempt.

 

Bar Admissions:

The State Bar of California, 2015

 

Achievements and Awards:

Honor Roll Recipient, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Witkin Award for Academic Excellence for Academic Achievement in Civil Procedure

Witkin Award for Academic Excellence for Academic Achievement in Law Practice Management

CALI Excellence for The Future Award for Excellent Achievement in the study of Civil Procedure

CALI Excellence for The Future Award for Excellent Achievement in the study of Law Practice Management

Jefferson Medal for Excellent Achievement in the study of Negotiation Theory & Skills

Jefferson Medal for Excellent Achievement in the study of Solo Practice Concentration

Jefferson Medal for Excellent Achievement in the study of Civil Procedure

Jefferson Medal for Excellent Achievement in the study of Law Practice Management

Recommendation of Publication for Law Review, “Economic Deterrence and The Real Cost of California’s Death Penalty: Only $300 Million Per Execution—A Very Expensive Form of Life Without Parole,” Death Penalty Seminar (2013).

 

Professional Associations:

Member, California State Bar

Member, California State Bar Criminal Law Section

Member, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member, Kern County Bar Association

Member, Kern County Bar Association Criminal Defense Section

Member, San Diego County Bar Association

Member, San Diego County Bar Association Appellate Practice Section 

Member, International Law Society

Member, Hispanic/Latino La Raza Law Association

Member, Immigration Law Society

Member, California Young Lawyers Association

Member, International Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Franklin Chapter

 

Education:

Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, CA
Juris Doctor, cum laude, Academic Honors Designation (2014)

California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA
Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations & Communications, Dean’s List (2003)