Defending your
self against a criminal charge is a grave situation which requires the expertise of a skilled and knowledgeable attorney. Hundreds of people are wrongly accused each year and are left at a disadvantage if they are not wealthy and connected to defend themselves against government funded prosecutors – protecting yourself through an education regarding your rights is nearly impossible without the input and guidance of a seasoned criminal defense attorney. I have helped numerous clients understand their rights and see how the law can work for, not against them. If you have been accused of a criminal offense, I will be an advocate for you and guide you through this stressful process to ensure the best outcome for your future.
An Aggressive, Proactive Approach to all Cases
Some California criminal defense lawyers take a wait-and-see approach. They stall until the first court date, or until they receive the police reports, before investigating and working up your case.
By contrast, we believe there’s no time to waste. The most critical window for defense work may be the first few days following an arrest, or even prior to formal charges being filed. By getting to work immediately, often we can locate favorable defense evidence and witnesses, and get a “head start” towards defeating the charges.
Knowing the Local Courts
Every county and every courthouse has its own way of doing things. The criminal court process in Los Angeles County, for example, differs significantly from the process in San Bernardino. But even within San Bernardino County, the procedures at the central courthouse vary considerably from Rancho Cucamonga or Victorville.
We assign each of our California criminal defense attorneys to a specific set of courthouses. By working day in and day out in the same places, we develop trusting relationships with judges, prosecutors, probation officers and court staff. Moreover, I know how things work in particular courtrooms, and with particular prosecuting agencies. I’ve learned whom to talk to, who has discretion, and the most effective ways to get the job done.
Early Intervention Before Charges Get Filed
Sometimes it’s possible to stop criminal charges from ever being filed.
After making an arrest or investigating a suspected crime, the police take their evidence to the District Attorney or the City Attorney. The D.A. or the C.A. evaluate the potential case and decides what criminal charges (if any) to file. Usually, the prosecutor makes this decision based solely on what the police present. But often there’s much more to the story.
Many times our California criminal lawyers can also meet with the D.A. or C.A. during this same time period. We can present our witness statements, our evidence and our information.
Knowing your side of the story may affect the D.A.’s or C.A.’s calculations. When the prosecutors see the whole picture, not just what the cops (or the alleged “victim”) have to say, they may decide to file lesser charges (a misdemeanor rather than a felony, for example) or not to file criminal charges at all (we call this a “D.A. or C.A. Reject”).
Types of Cases We Handle
California DUI Defense Lawyers
Our California DUI defense attorneys are former DUI prosecutors and law enforcement officers with decades of experience both prosecuting and defending drunk driving cases.
As a former prosecutor for the District Attorney’s office, Los Angeles DUI lawyer Craig Renetzky worked closely with the CHP and police toxicologists, compiling evidence and presenting cases in court. Now he fights DUI charges.
California Violent Crime Charges
Prosecutors and judges take violent crimes the most seriously. California’s mandatory sentencing laws can lead to harsh prison sentences.
But many people accused of violent offense are truly innocent. Often the situation arose out of self-defense, accident, misidentification, false accusations or mental illness. Our Los Angeles criminal attorneys can help you explore these defenses and fight the charges.
California Sex Crimes Charges
Conviction for a criminal sex offense can lead to years in California State Prison , getting ostracized from the community, and having to register for life as a sex-offender. But many innocent people get falsely accused of sex crimes, especially date rape, lewd acts with a child, and sexual assault.
Our California criminal defense lawyers start by scrutinizing the accuser’s background. We look to see if the accuser has a history of telling lies, and a bias against our client. We independently investigate the case with our own private detectives and forensic experts. Often times we can get charges reduced or dismissed, or secure an acquittal at trial.
California Financial Crime Charges
Most people accused of theft or financial crimes are good citizens with minimal records who simply took a wayward path. And some are factually innocent. In any case, our California criminal defense attorneys can help you fight the charges, often times keeping the stigma of a criminal conviction off your record.
California Domestic Violence Attorneys
More people get wrongfully accused of domestic violence than any other type of crime. Sometimes a person strikes his wife or girlfriend by accident or in self-defense during a mutual struggle.
Other times the accuser lies to the police and makes up false allegations of abuse. Accusers fabricate stories out of anger or jealousy, or to gain the upper hand in divorce or child custody proceedings. Whatever the case, our Los Angeles criminal attorneys can help you fight back.
We defend clients against any accusations of domestic violence, spousal battery or spousal abuse.
California Drug Crimes Attorneys
Police frequently use unreliable informants, defective warrants and other illegal methods to make drug busts. Our California criminal lawyers can challenge these unconstitutional searches and search warrants, in an effort to get evidence and cases thrown out of court.
For clients struggling with addiction problems, we can often help you get Proposition 36, PC 1000 drug diversion or other treatment programs as an alternative to jail.
Contact us for a Free Consultation
We like to start every case the same way: by listening. We sit down with you (and your witnesses) to hear exactly what happened. The police and the accusers are going to have their story. We’ll be presenting yours. So we want to start by hearing and understanding your side of it.
Call us at (818) 888-5000 or email us to schedule a consultation to see if we’re the right California criminal defense lawyers for you.