Top Criminal Defense Lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA
According to statistics from the State of California Department of Justice, in 2019, there were 1.1 million total arrests in California, including 758,056 misdemeanor arrests and 293,509 felony arrests. In California, criminal offenses are categorized into infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies.
A defendant convicted of a crime in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, could face severe punishment, ranging from a lengthy prison sentence to hefty fines, a permanent criminal record, and other life-changing consequences.
A criminal charge can be described as a formal accusation made by a police officer, law enforcement agency, or a public prosecutor stating that a person committed a crime or violated the law.
Some common criminal charges in California include Assault & Battery, Domestic Violence, Drug Charges, Homicide, Sex Crimes, Theft Crimes, DUI Cases, and more. As soon as you’re arrested, the state will start building a case against you. However, when facing criminal charges in California, you have the right to an attorney.
At the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive legal guidance and aggressive representation to individuals facing criminal charges in and around Los Angeles, CA, including the Sherman Oaks area.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys can investigate every last detail of your case, explore your possible legal defenses, and refute the allegations against you with substantial evidence with solid references from criminal defense law. We will fight vigorously on your side to defend your rights and ensure that you are given a fair hearing.
If you have been accused, arrested, and charged with a criminal offense, or if you’re under investigation by the police for suspicion of committing a crime, you should consult with knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys from our criminal defense law firm immediately to outline your defense strategy.
The skilled criminal defense attorneys at our law firm can help build a strong defense for your case and pursue the best outcome for your personal situation.
How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Sherman Oaks Help?
Being questioned by the police, court, or prosecutor can be frightening. However, a criminal defense lawyer may help deal with such situations. They deal with cops, prosecutors, and judges on a daily basis. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you;
- Design a legal defense
- Navigate jury selection
- Negotiate a plea deal
- And advocate for you at trial or sentencing
A good criminal defense lawyer will aggressively defend clients to ensure that the verdict goes in their favor. Contact us today to learn more about your rights. We offer free consultations to prospective clients in Sherman Oaks, California!
Book Consultation with Sherman Oaks Criminal Defense Attorney
Our law firm proudly serves clients in Sherman Oaks, Southern California, and throughout the San Fernando Valley area.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County, California, it is important that you retain a highly skilled and aggressive criminal defense lawyer to strategize your defense. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help you protect your rights in criminal matters. Our team of super lawyers is always ready to defend you.
Our criminal defense lawyers will make sure that your rights are protected during every phase of the legal process. Our team at the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney will dedicate every available resource and fight tirelessly to achieve a favorable result for our clients. Call us today before speaking to the police to get legal representation from the best Sherman Oaks criminal lawyers!
Categories of Criminal Charges in CA
In California, criminal charges are categorized into infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. These categories are based on the severity of the crime and the potential punishment or penalties associated with a conviction.
1. Infraction
An infraction is an offense that is punishable by fines and other restrictions but no jail time. Some common examples of infractions include traffic violations, speeding, boating violations, failure to yield to a pedestrian, tailgating, and littering.
2. Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor offense is more serious than an infraction. Misdemeanors are punishable by fines, prison sentences, probation, license suspension, community service, and court costs. Some common examples of misdemeanor offenses include traffic offenses involving DUI, theft, larceny, assault and battery, probation violations, shoplifting, and drug possession.
3. Felony
A felony is considered a very serious offense and is punished severely. A person convicted of a felony could be facing several years in prison, huge fines, parole or probation, and other severe penalties. Some common examples of felonies in California are homicide, murder, manslaughter, sexual battery, rape, drug distribution, and aggravated battery.
California law also has a wobbler category. Crimes can be charged as either misdemeanors or a felony depending on factors like circumstances and the prosecutor’s discretion. For example, assault with a deadly weapon, certain types of domestic violence offenses, and a few types of theft or fraud.
No matter what type of criminal charges you are dealing with, the criminal defense & DUI attorneys at the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to advocate on your behalf and help you begin moving forward.
Common Criminal Charges Sherman Oaks Area
At the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we provide knowledgeable legal guidance and strong representation in a wide selection of criminal charges, including, but not limited to:
1. Assault & Battery
An individual may be charged with assault and battery crimes for getting involved in a physical altercation or for threatening to use violence or force against someone else.
2. Domestic Violence
Domestic violence involves committing a violent act against a family member, household member, or someone with whom you share a personal relationship. A felony domestic violence can lead to 5 years jail term in state prison. With a lawyer on your side, you maximize your odds of proving yourself innocent and may get off free.
3. Drug Charges
Drug crimes are among the most common offenses in California. Some common drug charges include simple possession, drug transportation, possession of marijuana, as well as the sale, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances.
4. Homicide
Homicide is described as the act of killing another person, either lawfully or unlawfully. Depending on the surrounding circumstance, homicide may be charged as murder, manslaughter, and so forth.
5. Probation Violations
Probation is a non-prison sentencing option for offenders who are convicted of a crime. Probation violation occurs when a person violates any of the terms or conditions of the probation.
6. DUI
In California, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while impaired or with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or more. If you’re facing drunk driving charges, our DUI defense attorneys can fight to protect your rights and driving privileges. If convicted of a DUI offense, you will be asked to pay at least $2000 (Plus a 30-hour class which costs about $500). But, with the help of our DUI lawyers, you can maximize your odds of securing a favorable verdict.
7. Sex Crimes
Sex offenses are crimes in which a defendant subjects the victim to unwanted, offensive sexual contact. In California, sex offenses include everything from rape to sexual assault, sexual battery, lewd conduct, statutory rape, spousal rape, child pornography, indecent exposure, and oral copulation by force.
8. Theft Crimes
In California, theft involves stealing another person’s property by larceny, false pretense, or embezzlement with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of such property. Common examples of theft charges include petty theft, robbery, grand theft, grand theft auto, burglary, embezzlement, grand theft firearm, and more.
However, this is not a comprehensive list of the criminal defense cases we handle. There are several other types of criminal cases that our experienced criminal attorney can help with.
Do you need a legal representative in criminal courts? We have a team of trusted lawyers with several years of experience. Call us today!
Common Legal Defenses for Crimes
Most criminal charges have some type of defense available. Although not all cases can end with dropped or dismissed charges, even the toughest cases can often lead to a lesser sentence with the help of a skilled defense lawyer.
Some common legal defenses for crimes in California include the following:
- Accidents
- Alibis
- Self-Defense
- Defense of Others
- Coerced Confessions
- Entrapment
- Lack of Probable Cause
- Necessity
- Duress
- Double Jeopardy
- Mistaken Identity
- False Accusations / Wrongful Arrest
- Insanity
- Mistake of Fact
- Unconsciousness
- Police Misconduct
- Voluntary / Involuntary Intoxication
No matter your story, we will work hard to uncover the truth and protect your rights, freedom, and future.
Trusted Criminal Defense Lawyer in Sherman Oaks Area
Trying to defend your criminal charges alone or with an overworked public defender can expose you to the risk of suffering the maximum punishment.
Depending on the nature of the crime, the number of prior convictions, and other surrounding circumstances, the defendant could be facing lengthy jail time, huge fines, and other devastating, life-altering consequences. Therefore, when facing criminal allegations, hiring a highly skilled criminal attorney is important to protect your rights and craft a solid defense strategy.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced lawyers can offer you the comprehensive legal counsel, strong advocacy, and vigorous legal representation you need in your criminal case.
Using our extensive experience, our team will help you navigate the California criminal justice system, protect your freedom, and attempt to keep you out of jail. Our law firm proudly represents clients in Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Beverly Hills, and throughout the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area.
