West LA Criminal Defense Attorney

WEST LOS ANGELES / WESTSIDE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY / DUI LAWYER
West Los Angeles (West LA) refers to a region in western LA County stretching from Santa Monica Boulevard to Pico Boulevard, between Beverly Glen and Sepulveda.  Additionally, the phrase is often used to reference a larger area, LA's "Westside" which would include Santa Monica, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Century City, West Hollywood, Brentwood and more.  Upscale and affluent, West Los Angeles is a suburban community, home to pricy real estate, fine dining, as well as high end commercial and retail businesses.  Expensive luxury cars and high priced fashions are the norm.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and LA County Sheriff patrol West LA and the California Highway Patrol policing the freeways that cut through and surround West LA (the 10 and 405).  West LA is a safe community with relatively low crime for LA County.  Nevertheless, crimes (and arrests and criminal charges) do occur.  West LA sees arrests and criminal charges for drug crimes, DUI and domestic violence, all the way up to violent felonies like rape and homicide.  Most West LA criminal court matters will be heard at the Airport Courthouse, near LAX and El Segundo.  Traffic matters may proceed to Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, depending upon the exact location.

If you have been charged with a DUI offense in West 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:
Jared is driving down Wilshire Boulevard, on his way to meet some friends to watch a football game at a sports bar.  Jared runs a red light and is pulled over by LAPD officers.  Jared's license had previously been suspended for DUI, and he had not yet fulfilled the obligations to restore his license or get a restricted license with the DMV.  Jared had not been drinking, but the officer has Jared submit to some field sobriety tests and blow into a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) device to test his blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  Jared passes the FSTs and blows a .00 on the PAS test. 

Nevertheless, Jared is arrested for driving on a suspended license in violation of VC 14601.2, for driving while his license is suspended.  His car is impounded for 30 days and he is now facing a misdemeanor charge, a probation violation in his DUI case.  To make matters worse, an inventory search of Jared's vehicle yields some "wax" (a marijuana concentrate, for which Jared does not have a valid doctor's recommendation), a violation of HS 11357(a), which may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony (more on marijuana laws).

Jared hires a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to handle his probation violation and marijuana concentrate case.  The burden is lower on the government in probation violation hearings, and the defendant does not have the same rights to a jury trial on the violation.  As such, Jared's lawyer is able to convince the prosecution not to file any new charges, on the VC 14601.2, or on the marijuana concentrate charge.  In exchange for getting his license in order with the DMV, Jared will not do any jail time and will not suffer any new convictions.  He must pay a small probation revocation fine and continue to abide by the terms of his court probation.  With the help of his Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, Jared has gotten back on track, got his license and vehicle back and will still be able to expunge his DUI conviction when he is done with probation.

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 possible defenses and figure out how to get you the best outcome possible in your case.  Whether you need to avoid jail, negative immigration consequences or are simply innocent of the crime 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 
NL@iDefendLosAngeles.com
1200 Wilshire Blvd | Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA | 90017
www.iDefendLosAngeles.com

Published By: Nicholas Loncar | Written by Nicholas Loncar