Koreatown (a.k.a. "K-Town") is a neighborhood in Central Los Angeles, just west of Downtown LA.  Koreatown has experienced rapid growth and has disputed borders.  North of Koreatown are the neighborhoods of East Hollywood, Silverlake and Los Feliz.  Hollywood is located Northwest of Koreatown, and the Western side of Koreatown borders Hancock Park and Mid-City.  The Eastern portion of Mid-City and the neighborhood of Pico-Union are located South of Koreatown.  Just East of Koreatown, before Downtown LA, are the neighborhoods of Westlake and Historic Filipinotown.  Koreatown is also very close to the Law Office of Nicholas Loncar, located at 1200 Wilshire Blvd in the Westlake/City-Center neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Despite its name, Koreatown is a highly diverse neighborhood in LA County.  As the name suggests, people of Korean descent make up a sizable number of the neighborhoods nearly 125,000 residents.  However, Latinos actually outnumber Asians in the area, with smaller populations of Black and White residents.  Koreatown has the highest population density of any neighborhood in Los Angeles, with nearly twice the number of residents per square mile as nearby Hollywood.

LAPD provides law enforcement for Koreatown, with the LA County Sheriff having jurisdiction over the neighborhood's three Metro subway stations and California Highway Patrol policing the 101 Freeway which passes through the northern portion of Koreatown.  Felony matters are prosecuted at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (Criminal Courts Building) by the LA County District Attorney's Office.  Traffic offenses, and traffic-related misdemeanors (including DUI, driving without a license, and driving on a suspended license) are heard at the Metropolitan Courthouse and prosecuted by the LA City Attorney's Office.  Non-traffic misdemeanor offenses are also prosecuted by the LA City Attorney, but are heard at the Clara Shortridge Folz Criminal Justice Center (formerly, these cases would go to the East LA Courthouse).

In addition to its diverse and sizable residential population, Koreatown has a large number of local business, including restaurants, retail, office buildings, financial institutions, law firms, and much, much more.  Crime in Koreatown varies from relatively minor offenses like DUI, Drug Crimes, Domestic Violence, Theft Crimes, up to more serious crimes like Violent Crimes, Gang Offenses, Homicide and more.  If you have been charged with a crime or arrested in Koreatown, it is important to have a skilled, passionate Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on your side.  You want a lawyer who is knowledgeable about California criminal law, as well as familiar with the local court at which your case will be heard.

In Los Angeles DUI cases, we can help you assert the defenses available (Including: 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).  Drug crimes might have a viable motion to suppress if the police violated your rights or other defenses.  Each case is different and fact-specific.

SOME EXAMPLES OF KOREATOWN CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASES:
(1)  Ben, a Hollywood resident is in Koreatown for dinner at an AYCE Korean BBQ restaurant.  While at dinner, he and his friends share a bottle of soju and several large bottles of Hite beer each.  While driving home, Ben hits the back of his car on a corner curb.  Police come to the car and suspect that he is guilty of DUI.  After performing some field sobriety tests and a quick breath test at the scene (PAS device), Ben is placed under arrest.  Ben's Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney asserts a Rising BAC defense on Ben's behalf, showing that the evidence of his later high BAC did not prove he was above the legal limit at the time of driving.

(2)  Kara, a Koreatown resident, is caught by a retailer stealing several high-priced cosmetics products by placing them into another shopping bag.  Kara is stopped before exiting the store and police are called.  She is arrested and charged with petty theft/theft from a merchant (PC 484/PC 490.5).  Kara's Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer negotiates a civil compromise with the shop owner and the judge dismisses the case pursuant to Kara's agreement to pay the store a fee.

(3)  Ken and Jane  are married and live together in Koreatown.  A neighbor calls the police when they hear Ken and Jane arguing, and hear a glass plate break.  Neither Ken nor Jane speak great English, and the police officer called to the scene is not able to properly figure out what happened.  He arrests Ken, seeing a large red mark on Jane's arm.  It turns out the red mark is a permanent birthmark, and that Ken had nothing to do with it.  Ken's LA criminal defense lawyer gets sworn statements from Jane and her doctor, and persuades the prosecutor to dismiss the case before filing.

(4)  Amanda, a college student who lives in Downtown LA, is stopped by LASD on the Metro on her way to Hollywood. She had been drinking that night and was singing, loudly, on the train, disturbing other passengers.  The LASD deputy was checking Metro Cards and came across Amanda.  The officer asks Amanda if she has anything illegal on her, and she volunteered a bag of cocaine that she had in her purse.  Amanda was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance (HS 11350).  Amanda's lawyer is able to work out a diversion program, whereby Amanda can participate in a drug treatment class and get her case dismissed.  No jail, no criminal conviction.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Koreatown, Hollywood, Downtown LA, Westlake, Mid-City, Hancock Park or anywhere else in Los Angeles, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar for a free consultation with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer.  You have important rights and might have strong defenses in your case.  A criminal accusation does not have to equal a conviction or jail time.  Speak to a lawyer now to see how we might be able to help you avoid a conviction, avoid jail time and get the best possible outcome in your LA criminal case.  FREE CONSULTATIONS 213-375-3775

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