SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
South LA, or "South Central" Los Angeles refers to a large area of Los Angeles South of Downtown (DTLA) and stretching over 100 blocks South and West from that direction.  With historic neighborhoods like West Adams, world class institutions like the University of Southern California and of course, being home to the LA Coliseum, South LA has a lot more to it than the drive-by shootings depicted in movies.  Nearly 750,000 Angelenos call South LA home.  There are also several thriving business districts and small business owners have been maintained a strong presence in the neighborhoods making up South LA.  From USC to Watts, South LA has a unique identity, but also very different feel from neighborhood to neighborhood.  Some other neighborhoods in South LA include: Athens, Florence, Manchester, Leimart Park, Hyde Park, Crenshaw, Slauson and Baldwin Hills.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) patrols South LA, with the LA County Sheriff having jurisdiction over the Metro stations and the California Highway Patrol policing the freeways that cut through and surround South LA.  As its notoriety would suggest, South Central LA arrests and criminal charges run the gamut from theft crimes, drug crimes, DUI and domestic violence, all the way up to violent felonies like rape and homicide.  With heavy drug, gang and other criminal activity, there are many criminal cases coming out of South LA.  Depending on the geographic location and severity of the offense, South LA cases may be heard at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (Criminal Courts Building), or Metropolitan Courthouse, Inglewood Courthouse, and Compton Courthouse, depending on the exact location. 

If you have been charged with a DUI offense in South LA, your Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can help you avoid a criminal conviction, a license suspension or jail time.  There are many defenses in DUI cases and an arrest does not have to mean a conviction.  Some of the most common defenses in DUI cases are:  Mouth Alcohol, Rising BAC, How Accurate are Breathalyzers?,  Did Police Follow Proper Testing Procedure, Do Field Sobriety Tests Prove Anything, Alcohol and Drugs are NOT the Only Causes of Bad Driving).  In drug possession, weapon possession and theft offense cases, the best defense is often to use a motions to suppress any evidence that is obtained in violation of your constitutional rights.  If you were subject to an unlawful search or the police lacked probable cause to make an arrest in your case, your Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney will fight hard to assert your rights and get the best possible outcome in your case.

EXAMPLE:
Aaron, a 19 year old University of Southern California student is celebrating another weekend as a college student at a local sports bar on Figueroa.  Last year, upon arriving at USC, Aaron purchased a fake ID in order to be able to go to bars, clubs and other venues.  The ID, having Aaron's true photograph and name, use a different birth date, so that Aaron can pass himself off as 22. 

Previously unknown to Aaron, the LAPD operates a sting operation at his campus to catch people with fake IDs.  With the ID in their possession, the police have all of the evidence they need to arrest Aaron and charge him with PC 470b, PC 472 or VC 13004(g) or BP 25661 (possession of fake ID by a minor).  Although the offense did not involve driving, Aaron would suffer a one year driver's license suspension in addition to the possible criminal penalties associated with a misdemeanor.

Aaron hires a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to handle his case and keep his record as clean as it can be.  Aaron's defense lawyer attends court at Metropolitan Courthouse on Aaron's behalf.  At arraignment, the lawyer enters a not guilty plea and gets another court date to come back and negotiate with the arresting officer.  At the subsequent court date, the attorney is able to convince the officer to amend his citation to allow for a different infraction charge that will not lead to a driver's license suspension.  Aaron is responsible for paying a small fine, but avoids a misdemeanor conviction on his record and gets to keep his driver's license.

Being arrested or charged with a crime is scary, stressful and embarrassing.  But you do not have to face this challenge on your own.  Contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar now for a free consultation with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney.  We can discuss the details of your criminal case, begin to evaluate your defenses and decide on the right course of action to get you the best outcome possible in your criminal case.  Whether you need to avoid jail, negative immigration consequences or are simply innocent of the charge(s) alleged, a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer can help.

Nicholas M. Loncar, Esq. 
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
t: 213-375-3775 | f: 213-375-3099
Mobile: 323-803-4352 
[email protected]
1200 Wilshire Blvd | Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA | 90017
www.iDefendLosAngeles.com

Published By: Nicholas Loncar | Written by Nicholas Loncar