WESTWOOD CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND DUI LAWYER
Westwood, CA is home to the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA).  Nestled in between Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills, Brentwood, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica on LA's west side, Westwood is an affluent, upscale area with a wide range of dining, retail and nightlife options for college students and young professionals alike.  In addition to the UCLA Campus, and the Westwood Village downtown area right by the campus, Westwood is home to some upscale apartments, condominiums and homes. 

Westwood is generally considered a safe community.  Although there was a gang shooting in Westwood in 1988, the area does not see much of Los Angeles' urban crime.  With a large university population, many of the crimes and arrests in the area are minor alcohol and drug-related offenses.  Less frequent, but not uncommon are more serious drug crimes (sales offenses, overdoses), sexual assaults, vandalism and DUI.  Domestic violence enforcement is a high priority for police and prosecutors throughout Los Angeles, and Westwood is no exception.  As with many high-traffic areas with a large retail presence, there are petty theft and shoplifting offenses in Westwood.

Westwood is patrolled by the Los Angeles Police Department, who operate out of the nearby West Los Angeles Community Police Station.  The UCLA Police Department and University of California (Statewide) Police Department handle matters taking place on UCLA's campus.  Criminal matters in Westwood proceed to the Airport Courthouse near LAX (a short ride down the 405).  Traffic matters go to Santa Monica Courthouse.

Law enforcement in Westwood specifically target drug and alcohol-related activity, and organize DUI checkpoints, fake ID sting operations and sting operations for narcotics.  If you have been arrested in Westwood, it is important to have a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to protect and assert your rights.  For more information about your Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure, take a look at the following articles on search and seizure law: Stop and Frisk and Search of Persons, What constitutes a search?, Consent Searches, Search of Vehicles and Effects, How to Suppress Evidence.  In Westwood and Los Angeles DUI cases, some of the most common defenses include: Mouth Alcohol, Rising BAC, How Accurate are Breathalyzers?, Did Police Follow Proper Testing Procedure,Do Field Sobriety Tests Prove Anything?, Other Causes of Bad Driving Pattern.

EXAMPLE:
Sara, a 19 year old UCLA student is celebrating another weekend as a college student at a local sports bar in Westwood.  Last year, upon arriving at UCLA, Sara purchased a fake ID in order to be able to go to bars, clubs and other venues.  The ID, having Sara's true photograph and name, use a different birth date, so that she can pass herself off as 22 and go to bars and clubs in Westwood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and the rest of Los Angeles. 

Previously unknown to Sara, the LAPD operates a sting operation at her campus to catch people with fake IDs.  With the ID in their possession, the police have all of the evidence they need to arrest Sara and charge her 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, Sara would suffer a one year driver's license suspension in addition to the possible criminal penalties associated with a misdemeanor.  Misdemeanors are also punishable by up to a year in LA County Jail and fines of up to $1000.  As a "crime involving moral turpitude" a fake ID case can carry immigration consequences for non-citizens and affect employment prospects.

Sara hires a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to handle her case and keep his record as clean as it can be.  Sara's defense lawyer attends court at Airport Courthouse on Sara's behalf.  At arraignment, the lawyer enters a not guilty plea and gets another court date to come back and negotiate with the prosecution.  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.  Sara is responsible for paying a small fine, but avoids a misdemeanor conviction on her record and gets to keep her driver's license.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Westwood, or anywhere else in Los Angeles, contact our office and speak to a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney now about your case.  A lawyer will listen to you and help you understand the defenses, possible consequences and best course of action for your criminal case.  An arrest or a criminal charge does not have to mean a conviction.  An LA defense lawyer can help get you the best outcome possible in your case, helping you avoid jail, a criminal conviction and/or a drivers license suspension.

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