Westlake Criminal Defense Attorney

WESTLAKE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND DUI LAWYER

Home to the Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar, Westlake is a neighborhood in Central Los Angeles, just west of Downtown LA.  Westlake is also located just south of Silverlake and Echo Park, East of Koreatown and North of Pico-Union.  Westlake is home to MacArthur Park, Langer's Deli and the first El Pollo Loco store.  Once a wealthy, largely Jewish population, Westlake is now one of LA's most densely populated neighborhoods.  Today, nearly 75% of the neighborhood's 100,000+ residents are Latino.  Recently, Westlake has experienced some renewal, with new housing attracting more affluent residents than in the past.  Our office is located right on Wilshire Boulevard, two blocks west of the 110 Freeway at 1200 Wilshire Blvd, in the Wells Fargo Building.

LAPD provides law enforcement for Westlake with California Highway Patrol policing the 101 Freeway which passes through the northern portion of Westlake.  All criminal and traffic matters go to a branch of the LA Superior Court.  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 Foltz Criminal Justice Center (these cases were formerly filed at the East LA Courthouse).

Westlake is a very significant neighborhood for Los Angeles criminal defense.  The neighborhood the birthplace of Mara Salvatrucha (often abbreviated as MS-13) and it presently has a heavy gang presence.  Additionally, the LAPD Rampart scandal that took place in LA (and was featured in the film Training Day) took place in Westlake.  Crime in Westlake 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 Westlake, 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 WESTLAKE CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASES:
(1)  John, a Koreatown resident is in Downtown LA for dinner.  While at dinner, he and his friend share a bottle of wine.  While driving home, John hits the car in front of him while sending a text message in Westlake.  LAPD officers come to the scene and to car and suspect that John is guilty of DUI.  After performing some field sobriety tests and a quick breath test at the scene (PAS device), John is placed under arrest.  John's Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney asserts a Rising BAC defense on John'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.  This defense works in court and with the DMV hearing.

(2)  Wendy, a Westlake resident, is caught by a retailer stealing several high-priced cosmetics products by placing them into another shopping bag.  Wendy 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).  Wendy's Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer negotiates a civil compromise with the shop owner and the judge dismisses the case pursuant to Wendy's agreement to pay the store a fee.

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

(4)  Nadia, 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 Nadia.  The officer asks Nadia if she has anything illegal on her, and she volunteered a bag of cocaine that she had in her purse.  Nadia was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance (HS 11350).  Nadia's lawyer is able to work out a diversion program, whereby Nadia 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 Westlake, Koreatown, Hollywood, Downtown LA, 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 
[email protected]
1200 Wilshire Blvd | Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA | 90017
www.iDefendLosAngeles.com

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