Finding the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Los Angeles and Southern California

When you’re facing criminal charges in Los Angeles or anywhere in Southern California, finding the right criminal defense lawyer near you can make the difference between freedom and incarceration, between maintaining your reputation and losing everything you’ve worked for. At LibertyBell Law Group, we understand that when you search for “criminal defense lawyers near me,” you’re not just looking for any attorney – you’re looking for someone who will fight for your rights, protect your future, and provide aggressive representation when you need it most.

LibertyBell Law Group has been serving clients throughout Southern California for years, building a reputation as one of the most trusted and effective criminal defense law firms in the region. We serve clients in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County. Whether you’re in Woodland Hills, Van Nuys, Anaheim, Irvine, San Diego, Riverside, Ontario, Oxnard, or any of the 700+ cities we serve, we’re here to help.

Comprehensive Criminal Defense Services Throughout Southern California

At LibertyBell Law Group, we handle virtually every type of criminal case, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, from state charges to federal crimes. Our criminal defense lawyers near you in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California have the experience, knowledge, and resources to defend against any criminal charge.

Understanding Your Rights: Essential Tips From Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys

Knowledge is power when dealing with the criminal justice system. Here are crucial tips and strategies from our experienced criminal defense lawyers that every person in Los Angeles and Southern California should know:

What To Do If You’re Arrested

Pre-Filing Intervention: Stopping Charges Before They’re Filed

Understanding Felonies vs. Misdemeanors in California

California law categorizes crimes into three main levels: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Understanding the difference is critical because the consequences vary dramatically.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are less serious crimes punishable by up to one year in county jail, fines up to $1,000 (though some specific misdemeanors carry higher fines), and informal probation. Common misdemeanors include simple assault, petty theft (under $950), first-time DUI without injury, possession of small amounts of drugs, and many domestic violence charges. While labeled “less serious,” misdemeanors still create criminal records that can affect employment, housing, and your reputation.

Felonies

Felonies are serious crimes punishable by state prison (not county jail), lengthy sentences, substantial fines, and formal probation. Felonies include murder, rape, robbery, serious drug crimes, grand theft, many white collar crimes, and crimes involving serious injury. Felony convictions carry lifelong consequences: loss of voting rights (until restored), inability to own firearms, difficulty finding employment, loss of professional licenses, and potential immigration consequences for non-citizens.

Wobblers – Crimes That Can Be Charged Either Way

California has unique “wobbler” offenses that prosecutors can charge as either misdemeanors or felonies depending on the circumstances and defendant’s criminal history. These include many theft crimes, some drug offenses, certain domestic violence charges, and various fraud crimes. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can negotiate to have a wobbler charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony can literally change your life.

Proposition 47: Reducing Old Felonies to Misdemeanors

In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, which allows people convicted of certain felonies to petition the court to reduce them to misdemeanors. This groundbreaking law has helped thousands of Californians clear their records and move forward with their lives.

Crimes Eligible for Prop 47 Reduction

• Shoplifting (Penal Code 459.5) – Previously charged as burglary
• Grand theft involving property valued at $950 or less
• Receiving stolen property valued at $950 or less
• Forgery involving checks or documents worth $950 or less
• Fraud involving access cards or checks worth $950 or less
• Writing bad checks worth $950 or less
• Personal use possession of most drugs (Health & Safety Code 11350, 11357, 11377)

The benefits of Prop 47 reduction are substantial. Once your felony is reduced to a misdemeanor, you can honestly state on employment applications that you have not been convicted of a felony. Your firearm rights may be restored. Immigration consequences may be reduced. Professional licensing barriers may be removed. Housing applications become easier.

Expungements: Clearing Your Criminal Record Under PC 1203.4

California Penal Code Section 1203.4 allows people who have successfully completed probation to petition for dismissal of their conviction – commonly called an expungement. This powerful legal remedy can help you move past your criminal record and rebuild your life.

How Expungements Work in California

An expungement under PC 1203.4 doesn’t erase your conviction, but it does provide significant relief. When granted, the court withdraws your guilty or no contest plea and enters a not guilty plea, then dismisses the case. You can then legally state on most job applications (except government and law enforcement positions) that you have not been convicted of that crime.

Who Qualifies for Expungement?

• You were convicted of a misdemeanor or felony
• You were granted probation (even if probation was later revoked)
• You have completed all terms of probation including paying fines and restitution
• You are not currently charged with another offense
• You are not serving a sentence for another offense
• You did not serve time in state prison for this offense (with some exceptions)

Benefits of Expungement

Once your conviction is expunged, doors begin to reopen. You can honestly answer “no” when asked if you’ve been convicted of a crime on most private employment applications. Professional licenses become obtainable. Landlords are more likely to approve rental applications. College admissions become easier. The psychological relief of having a dismissed conviction rather than a conviction on your record is immeasurable.

However, it’s important to understand what expungement doesn’t do. It doesn’t restore gun rights for felony convictions (you need a different process for that). Government and law enforcement agencies can still see the conviction. Immigration authorities consider expunged convictions. If you’re convicted of another crime later, the expunged conviction can still be used for sentencing enhancement.

Bail Reduction and Bail Review Hearings

When you’re arrested for a crime in California, the court sets bail – the amount of money you must pay to be released from custody while your case is pending. Bail amounts are often set extremely high, especially for serious felonies, making it impossible for many defendants and their families to afford release.

Factors Courts Consider in Bail Decisions

• The seriousness of the charges
• Your prior criminal record
• Your ties to the community (family, employment, property ownership)
• Whether you’re a flight risk
• Whether you pose a danger to the community
• Your ability to pay bail
• The strength of the evidence against you

In some cases, particularly for non-violent offenses with strong community ties, we’ve secured OR release, meaning our client walks out of custody without paying any bail. In other cases, we’ve reduced bail from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands, making release affordable. Being out of custody while your case is pending is crucial – it allows you to work, support your family, and actively participate in your defense.

Probation Violations: Protecting Your Freedom

If you’re on probation and accused of violating its terms, you’re facing serious consequences including revocation of probation and imposition of the maximum jail or prison sentence. Probation violations occur when you fail to follow the terms of your probation, such as failing to report to your probation officer, failing drug tests, getting arrested for a new offense, failing to complete classes, or failing to pay fines and restitution.

Defending Against Probation Violations

The standard of proof for probation violations is lower than for criminal trials – the prosecution only needs to prove the violation by a “preponderance of the evidence” rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” However, you still have rights and defenses. We challenge whether a violation actually occurred, present mitigating evidence explaining the violation, demonstrate your overall compliance with other probation terms, and argue for continued probation with modified terms rather than revocation.

Pitchess Motions: Accessing Police Personnel Records

A Pitchess motion is a powerful defense tool that allows defendants to discover information from police officers’ personnel files that may be relevant to their case. This California-specific motion is named after Pitchess v. Superior Court, the case that established this right.

When Pitchess Motions Are Crucial

• The officer has a history of dishonesty or false reports
• The officer has previous complaints for excessive force (relevant in assault cases)
• The officer has a history of racial bias (relevant when race may be a factor)
• The officer has previous complaints for planting evidence
• The officer has disciplinary history for illegal searches

Habeas Corpus Petitions: Post-Conviction Relief

A habeas corpus petition is a legal mechanism to challenge your conviction or sentence after your appeal rights have been exhausted. The Latin phrase “habeas corpus” means “you have the body,” referring to the right to challenge unlawful detention.

Grounds for Habeas Corpus Relief

• Ineffective assistance of counsel (your trial attorney made serious errors)
• Newly discovered evidence that could change the outcome
• Constitutional violations during trial
• Changes in law that apply retroactively to your case
• Actual innocence based on new evidence
• Prosecutorial misconduct that wasn’t discovered until after trial

Habeas petitions are complex and require demonstrating that you were actually harmed by the error, not just that an error occurred. At LibertyBell Law Group, we’ve successfully secured relief through habeas petitions for clients serving lengthy sentences, including getting convictions overturned and sentences reduced.

Alternative Sentencing Options

Many people facing criminal charges assume that conviction automatically means jail or prison. However, California law provides numerous alternative sentencing options that allow defendants to avoid incarceration while still being held accountable.