Alhambra Criminal Defense Attorney

ALHAMBRA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND DUI LAWYER
Alhambra, California, is located just 8 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles and just south of Pasadena, in the western part of LA County's San Gabriel Valley.  Over the years, Alhambra has been home to various immigrant populations, beginning with Italian Immigrants in the 1950s, followed by large scale migration by Mexican Immigrants in the 1960s, and Chinese Immigrants in the 1980s.  Eastern European immigrants also occupied the region for many years, and Alhambra is currently home to a large Serbian Church (St. Steven's) and the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America.  Today, more than half of Alhambra's population of just over 80,000 people are of Chinese or other Asian descent, with sizable white and latino populations as well.  Like much of LA, this diverse community is rich in foreign and California culture.

Alhambra's local economy is comprised largely of car dealerships, a plethora of dining and food shopping options, with heavy influence from its Chinese population, and even some LA landmark restaurants and shops that have been around since the 40s and 50s.  The I-10, I-710 and I-210 freeways connect Alhambra to Los Angeles, Pasadena, the eastern San Gabriel Valley and San Bernardino.  Alhambra Borders South Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, and Rosemead.  Also nearby are Temple City, El Monte, Northeast Los Angeles, Montecito Heights, East LA.

The Alhambra Police Department provides law enforcement services, with criminal matters being heard at the Alhambra Courthouse.  Alhambra is a safe, quiet community, but crime certainly does exist.  Due to low volume of the urban crime and gangs that plague much of LA, Alhambra law enforcement target driving offenses.  With much of Alhambra's population made up of immigrants (many undocumented), unlicensed driving is one of the most common offenses.  First timers are typically charged with a violation of VC 12500 (driving without a license), but those with priors, or whose driving privilege has been suspended with the DMV or court are charged with the more serious VC 14601.1 (driving while driving privilege suspended).  DUI enforcement is also heavy, and Alhambra Police receive extensive training in DUI investigations.  DUI checkpoints and saturation points are common as well.  Much like in the rest of LA County, domestic violence cases are prosecuted very aggressively.  Drug crimes are also prevalent in Alhambra, with prescription pills, methamphetamine and marijuana crimes (including marijuana concentrates like hash, hash oil, wax and some edibles) being the most common.  Theft offenses are less common in Alhambra than in most of LA County, but the District Attorney's office is tough on retail theft and tougher on theft from individuals.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Alhambra, you are up against a tough branch of the LA County District Attorney's office, and have likely been investigated by a well-trained police force.  Whether the offense seems minor (driving without a license) or is more severe (DUI causing injury or death), you need a skilled, knowledgeable and passionate Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to fight for you and assert your rights.  Your best chance to avoid jail time, loss of your driver's license, immigration consequences or a misdemeanor or felony conviction is to entrust your case to the competent hands of a criminal defense lawyer.  Contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar now for a free consultation with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer or DUI Attorney.  We will help you understand the court process, the possible and likely outcomes and evaluate the defenses that can help you get the right outcome in your criminal case.

EXAMPLE of an Alhambra Criminal Case:
Justin, a resident of Alhambra, was convicted of DUI a year ago.  Because his arrest took place in LA County, he was ordered to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on his vehicle, and his license was suspended for 4 months.  Justin did not install the IID, and also failed to show the court proof of enrollment.  Although Justin believes that his 4 month suspension was up, his failure to comply with the DMV and court's conditions led to a longer suspension of his driver's license.  Without his driving privilege reinstated, Justin is in violation of the law every time he drives a car, even if he has not been drinking.


One day, Justin is driving home from work, when he is pulled over in Alhambra, on Commonwealth Ave.  The officer runs Justin's information, and finds that Justin's license is still suspended for his prior DUI.  The officer asks Justin to step out of the vehicle and has him perform a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) device test.  The PAS is a primitive, handheld breathalyzer used by law enforcement officers at the scene.  While most drivers may refuse to submit to the PAS test, Justin must perform the test because it is a condition of his DUI probation.  Justin blows and records a PAS reading of .00, because he had not been drinking.


Still, the officer takes Justin to jail and impounds his car for 30 days.  Justin is released from jail and hires a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer to help with his case.  His lawyer helps him get his driver's license reinstated and his car back, before the 30 days.  Later, Justin is charged in Alhambra Court with 14601.2 (driving while license suspended for DUI) and for a probation violation (on the prior DUI, for which Justin was on 3 years summary probation).  Again, due to Justin's ability to get a driver's license and become compliant with the law, Justin's attorney is able to negotiate for a dismissal of the VC 14601.2 count and a reinstatement of his probation on the old DUI.  After paying a reduced fine, Justin will not do any jail time, and may still expunge his prior DUI conviction upon completion of probation.

Speak to a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney now.  If you have been arrested in Alhambra, Rosemead, South Pasadena, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, or anywhere else in LA, we can help.  Free Consultations

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