Los Angeles County is one of the largest jurisdictions in the United States. The county is comprised of a number of cities, each of which has their own police department and city prosecutor. The Courts are spread throughout the county and handle cases within their geographical area. When an arrest is made the case is submitted to the District Attorney who decides whether or not to file formal charges. If the case is a misdemeanor it will often be referred to the local city attorney for review and prosecution. A local criminal defense attorney can often intervene in the process and attempt a resolution of the case. Early involvement by a Los Angeles Criminal Attorney is advisable due to the enormous caseload within any given prosecutorial office..
A common question people ask is, what can a private lawyer do that a public defender can't? The answer is that a local
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney can take advantage of early techniques of resolution that are often inaccessible to publicly appointed defense attorneys. These techniques, also known as diversion programs, can result in the dismissal of already filed charges or the non-filing of formal charges if the case can be initiated early after the arrest. Over the last fifteen years Attorney Matthew Ruff has implemented innovative settlement techniques to accomplish a resolution of criminal cases that involve no conviction and no black mark on a person's record, without the stress and expense of going to trial.
Another question often asked is whether an appearance by the client is mandatory. Many times a Los Angeles arrest can involve a person who does not live in the area, in these cases a lawyer can sometimes go to Court on behalf of the client and appear under 977 of the Penal Code. This benefit is particularly helpful when the individual lives outside California and may have been merely visiting or on vacation. Again, a Los Angeles Criminal Attorney can be of major assistance in saving the hassle of travel back to resolve a criminal matter.
Common types of cases defended in Los Angeles County are
shoplifting, petty theft, assault, battery, public intoxication, drunk driving and
driving under the influence or DUI of both alcohol or drugs, possession of narcotics,
arrest at the Los Angeles Airport or LAX, domestic violence charges, among many others. The bottom line in any criminal arrest is that the early involvement of a criminal defense lawyer can make or break whether the case will result favorably or unfavorably. A Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney can offer immediate advice about speaking with investigators and can arrange for release from jail, sometimes without the posting of bond. This may be accomplished by petitioning the Court for a release on a person's own recognizance, sometimes called "O.R. Release".
For instant answers to your questions, call the attorney in our Los Angeles office (Torrance) at 310-527-4100.