Westlake Village Criminal Defense Attorney and DUI Lawyer

Westlake Village is located on the border of Los Angeles County and Ventura County, in a region also known as Conejo Valley. Located only nine miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, Westlake Village is known for its beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, and beautiful homes. Westlake Village prides itself on its award-winning neighborhoods and communities focused on preserving and protecting the surrounding natural environment. The local residents greatly value the good schools, safe communities, efficient city operations, and the big city amenities. Although Westlake Village has a higher than average cost of living, it still experiences all types of crime. Property crimes outnumber the violent crimes in Westlake Village by far, yet it is rated as safer than only 35% of other U.S. cities.

If you or someone you know is charged with a criminal offense, be sure to check our Practice Areas page for competent and experienced legal help. From small charges like vandalism to felony charges (including homicide), its important to have an experienced attorney on your side every step of the way. Upscale communities like Westlake Village tend to seek harsh penalties for those who are accused of disturbing their close-knit community. Not hiring experienced counsel could have long lasting negative effects on your future.  It is also important to note that Ventura County is one of the harshest jurisdictions in the state when it comes to sentencing in criminal cases.

Westlake Village Law Enforcement
Westlake Village residents are served by the Thousand Oaks Police Department, who contracts with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. The Department focuses on proactive crime prevention and law enforcement strategies in response to community concerns. The Department has a special unit focusing solely on gang activity and vandalism, as well as school resource officers who assist young people with prevention and intervention strategies. The Department also organizes special groups and events throughout the community, such as National Night Out, a teen traffic offender program, and a citizen’s academy – where citizens can learn about the criminal justice system.

Westlake Village Court
The closest courthouse to Westlake Village is the Ventura Superior Court, located at 800 South Victoria Avenue. This location offers virtually every service, including: appeals, civil, criminal, family, small claims, and traffic services. The juvenile courthouse is located in Oxnard, at 4353 E. Vineyard Avenue.  For arrests occurring in the Eastern portion of Westlake Village, the part that is in Los Angeles County, criminal matters will go to the Van Nuys Courthouse.

A Few Points on Probable Cause
The Fourth Amendment gives citizens the right to be free from unreasonable searches. However, the Constitution does not define “probable cause,” so case law has shaped most of the Fourth Amendment’s borders. Many clients have questions about probable cause, which is the standard by which police authorities have reason to obtain a warrant – whether that warrant is for personal or property searches, or for the seizure of property. In court, the state has the burden to of proof as to probable cause. However, because the standard is very low, the state does not have to work hard to meet its burden.

What is an example of probable cause?
If the officer knows of facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that an item is stolen, is contraband, or may be evidence of the crime in which the person is being stopped – then it will meet the probable cause standard.

What is a probable cause hearing?
During the pre-trial stages of a criminal case, a good defense attorney will insist on a probable cause hearing. During this proceeding the judge will make a determination as to whether there was actually probable cause for the arrest or for the search/seizure that took place.

What if it is determined that the officer did not have probable cause to make the arrest, search, or seizure?
If evidence was obtained without probable cause, then it is subject to the exclusionary rule. This rule prevents illegally obtained evidence from being admitted in your case against you. Often, the state will not have enough legally obtained evidence to make a case against you at this point – so having a good criminal defense attorney who can effectively argue on the issue of probable cause is critical.