Criminal Defense Attorney California Strong Advocates in Your Corner
Take Action Now
If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, now is the time to act. Our California criminal defense attorneys have helped many clients by having criminal charges reduced or dropped through compelling, evidence-based litigation. Law House has defense lawyers throughout California who can dedicate themselves to providing the criminal defense services you need. Call a criminal defense lawyer now at (818) 824-5800.
Our California
Criminal Defense Attorneys
Are Focused on Your Needs
As our client, you can expect that your interactions with us won't be confined to business hours. We can arrange to meet you at virtually any time that works for you. We also offer remote defense and family law services so that we can provide consultations and answer your questions regardless of whether you are available to meet in person. Communication is key when it comes to helping clients who face criminal charges in California, and our defense lawyers are committed to conforming to your schedule.
Our Criminal Law Practice Areas
Our criminal defense attorneys throughout California have helped clients facing a variety of serious criminal charges that carry penalties that can affect you for the rest of your life. We are prepared to help protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome if you face:
- Domestic violence charges
- Child abuse charges
- Probation violation charges
- Weapons charges
- Drug charges
- White-collar crime charges
- Theft charges Robbery charges
- Assault charges
- Sex crime charges
- DUI charges
- Burglary charges
- Contempt of court charges
Law House Is Standing By
Our justice system isn't perfect, and it's all too easy for people to receive excessive punishment or suffer consequences for crimes they did not commit. There is too much to lose by facing the court system without a dedicated advocate who can fight to prevent a violation of your rights. Call us at (818) 824-5800 to speak to a California criminal defense attorney at Law House as soon as possible.
Your Career Opportunities Are at Stake
Although California has measures in place that can momentarily limit an employer's visibility to your professional and educational background, they will eventually have the right to see your criminal record (minus any expungements, juvenile court records, or diversion programs) before making a decision about whether to hire you. Since 2018, California's "Ban the Box" laws have made it illegal for employers with five employees or more to inquire about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional job offer is on the table. At that point, the employer is within their rights to ask about any prior convictions. Meanwhile, employers do not have the right to ask about any arrests unless they pertain to an open case. Again, prevention is the key, and a defense attorney is the best means. Our justice system has its flaws. Misconduct on the part of law enforcement, malice on the part of accusers, and other factors can all result in punishments that are disproportionate or totally unwarranted. Are you facing criminal charges that could hamper your ability to earn a living and support your family? Our California criminal defense attorneys can analyze your criminal case piece by piece to safeguard your rights and prevent any failure on the part of our justice system from affecting your career.
Are You Facing Domestic Violence Charges? Our Criminal Defense Services Can Protect Your Rights
In California, domestic violence can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony. If the accused is a repeat offender or the resulting injuries were serious enough to warrant hospitalization, felony charges are most likely. Domestic violence can take many forms. It can include physical abuse, verbal abuse, sex crimes, as well as controlling an intimate partner's finances to a point where they are no longer independent. Although acts of domestic violence are serious crimes deserving of penalties, the truth is that these accusations can sometimes be made as a means of defamation, harassment, and gaining leverage in child custody cases. If you are facing domestic violence charges, your defense attorney from Law House will gather evidence in order to bring the truth to light. Your criminal defense attorney will do everything in their power to counter any accusations of a pattern of abuse, violence, or control and to clarify whether the incident amounts to a minor disagreement or misunderstanding. It is in your best interest to reach out to a California criminal attorney right away if you face domestic violence charges.
DUI in California
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime that can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony in California. Often, the prosecutor's choice comes down to how many prior DUI convictions you have, whether any of those convictions were felonies, and whether the accident resulted in physical injuries to other parties. A defense attorney is essential, regardless of the severity of the charges you face.
We Can Help You Beat DUI Charges
DUI is a serious offense in California that can result in steep fines and jail time. When DUI is committed in earnest, it places innocent people in danger and deserves punishment. But it's important to understand that there are many imperfections in the methods of identifying a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As a result, not everyone who is arrested for DUI has actually broken any laws. Our attorneys understand the strict protocol that law enforcement must follow when leveling these types of charges, and we are prepared to identify any mistakes that led to your arrest. In general, these mistakes will relate to:
- The accused not being intoxicated
- The driving not being impaired ("bad" driving doesn't necessarily mean the driver is intoxicated)
- Improper procedures on the part of the arresting officer
If you have been charged with DUI, let our California criminal defense attorneys go to work to make sure justice is truly upheld.
It's Time to Call Law House
When your freedom, your livelihood, and your relationship with your family are on the line, it's never too soon to reach out to an attorney who can provide the criminal defense services you need. We maintain maximum flexibility in order to meet your needs. Whether you need to talk on a weekday afternoon or have no other viable time other than a Sunday night, we will make ourselves available. Our California criminal defense attorneys will also gladly arrange an online consultation if it suits you best.
Our justice system has its flaws. Misconduct on the part of law enforcement, malice on the part of accusers, and sexist stereotypes can all result in punishments that are disproportionate or totally unwarranted.
California Criminal Law FAQ
First and foremost, we want you to know that there is absolutely no substitute for having a private consultation with a California criminal defense attorney whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges. But if you have already booked an appointment and are waiting to meet with a lawyer, we understand you are probably feeling anxious and have many questions. That is why we have compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from clients:
What is a "wobbler" offense?
A "wobbler" offense is one that could be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony. In most cases, it is up to the prosecutor to decide which degree of charges will be brought against the accused. In the case of a DUI, for example, a prosecutor will likely bring misdemeanor charges if it was a first offense that resulted in no physical injuries to other parties. However, a person who is charged with a DUI following three previous DUI convictions in the span of 10 years will most likely face felony charges.
What's the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
To put it simply, a misdemeanor is a less serious crime, while a felony is a more serious offense with harsher penalties. In California, standard misdemeanors carry maximum jail sentences of under a year and fines of no more than $1,000, and these fines increase with the severity of the misdemeanor. Felonies are punishable by more than a year in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.
I'm not guilty. Why should I bother hiring an attorney?
Because otherwise, it is going to be incredibly difficult to prove your innocence. Government prosecutors have vast resources at their disposal, and if you have been charged with a crime, you can expect that they are more than capable of building a case that could convince a judge and jury that you are guilty. Our attorneys have helped many clients by countering these charges and demonstrating that they don't fit the crime, rights were violated at some point, or that the accused party is absolutely innocent.
I have two strikes. If I am convicted of the felony charges I face, am I going to prison for 25 to life?
Under California's three-strikes law, it depends on whether the felony is violent or otherwise considered serious. For example, if you have been convicted of two felonies in the past and now face charges of possessing a drug with the intent to distribute (a nonviolent crime), you would probably not be subject to the punishment a third strike carries. On the other hand, if you are charged with armed robbery, a resulting conviction could incur the very harsh penalties of a third strike. This is just one of the many reasons hiring a dedicated legal advocate is so important if you have been charged with committing a violent crime.
If I'm convicted, will the "Ban the Box" laws keep my record hidden from employers?
They will only provide discretion up until the point that an employer decides to offer conditional employment. This law, which has been in effect since 2018, is an effort to foster employment decisions based on your skills, education, and work history rather than your criminal record. But eventually, the employer will be able to see all non-expunged convictions, and you can be sure that they will influence their decision. Our law firm can work to minimize the charges you face or have them dropped completely in order to protect your professional future.
Our attorneys have helped many clients by countering these charges and demonstrating that they don't fit the crime, your rights were violated at some point, or that you are absolutely innocent.
