Bellflower Criminal Defense Attorney
If you’re facing criminal charges in Bellflower, CA, you need to act quickly to protect your rights. California prosecutors aggressively pursue cases and have vast resources at their disposal. Their primary goal is to secure a conviction.
That’s why it’s essential to enlist the help of an attorney if you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime. Call The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys at (213) 995-6767 for immediate assistance.
Our skilled Bellflower criminal defense lawyers will fight the charges and advocate for you throughout the process. We have over five decades of combined experience, and we’ve defended the rights of thousands of people throughout Southern California.
Our legal team features a former prosecutor who knows the California justice system inside and out. We’ll protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome in your Bellflower criminal case. Contact our law office today for a free, confidential case evaluation to learn more.
How The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help If You’re Facing Criminal Charges in Bellflower, CA
Whether you’ve been charged with a minor offense or a serious felony, it’s wise to speak to a knowledgeable attorney. Any type of conviction can significantly affect your life. For example, those with a criminal record often have trouble obtaining employment or securing a loan.
Our criminal defense attorneys will work to minimize the potential penalties you receive. We know state and federal laws and local court rules and procedures.
If you hire our law firm for representation in your criminal case in Bellflower, California, we’ll:
- Listen to your version of events and provide an honest assessment of your case
- Evaluate the charges against you and the prosecution’s evidence
- Investigate and collect evidence that will prove your innocence or mitigate your punishment
- Negotiate with the district attorney and attempt to have your case dismissed or work out a favorable plea deal
- Handle all filings and represent you in all court proceedings
Even if you’re innocent, you need legal representation. Correctional facilities across the country are full of innocent people. Don’t make the mistake of handling your criminal case alone. There’s too much at stake. Contact our Bellflower criminal defense attorneys today for a free consultation to learn more about creating an attorney-client relationship.
Our Law Firm Handles All Types of Criminal Cases Throughout Los Angeles County, CA
At The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys, our experienced criminal defense attorneys have handled thousands of cases involving various matters.
Some of our criminal defense practice areas include:
- Assault
- Battery
- Drug crimes
- DUI
- Rape, prostitution, and other sex crimes
- Domestic violence
- White collar crimes
- Manslaughter
- Homicide
- Burglary, robbery, carjacking, and other theft crimes
- Weapons charges
- Arson
- Vandalism
- Juvenile crimes
- Restraining order violations
- Animal cruelty
- Federal crimes
- Unlawful assembly
Contact our law firm for immediate assistance if you’re facing criminal charges in Bellflower, CA.
What Penalties Can I Face If I’m Convicted of a Crime in Bellflower, California?
Penalties imposed in a California criminal case depend on various factors, including but not limited to:
- The type of crime and its severity
- Whether the offense is a misdemeanor or felony
- Whether any aggravating factors are present, including a prior conviction or use of a weapon when you committed the crime
- The strength of your criminal defense
- Whether you’re eligible for pre-filing diversion
In California, some crimes are known as wobblers. That means the prosecution or judge can charge the crime as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Your criminal history will significantly impact the decision.
Additionally, the state’s Three Strikes Law could lead to an enhanced sentence if you have two prior convictions for violent or serious felonies and receive a third.
Here are the potential penalties you could face after a conviction in Bellflower, California:
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- Imprisonment – “Standard” misdemeanors typically carry up to six months in county jail, but others are punishable by up to one year. Felony convictions carry anywhere from one year in prison to lifetime imprisonment
- Fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 (and sometimes more, depending on the circumstances)
- Probation – Instead of jail time, a court may grant probation. You will be subject to certain conditions, such as checking in with a probation officer and submitting to random drug testing.
- Community service
- Participation in counseling or treatment – A court may order you to attend AA meetings or enter a treatment facility for certain drug crimes or DUI-related offenses.
- Sex offender registration – If you’re convicted of a sex crime, you may be required to register as a sex offender and comply with certain rules and requirements.
Some people are granted parole, allowing them to be released from prison early.
Collateral Consequences You May Face
The penalties listed above are court-mandated punishments. However, they don’t tell the whole story.
A criminal record also results in various collateral consequences, such as:
- Being terminated from your job and having trouble finding new employment
- Losing a professional license
- Immigration consequences, such as deportation or a denial of permanent residency
- Losing gun ownership rights
- Restrictions on travel
- Child custody and visitation issues
- Trouble qualifying for loans or housing
- The loss of your driving privileges, such as if you’re convicted of DUI
- A damaged reputation
You should be mindful of these and other consequences associated with a criminal record. Any of these could significantly affect your life, including your professional and personal relationships. Contact our criminal defense lawyers in Bellflower to minimize or eliminate the potential penalties you face.
What Potential Defenses May Apply To My Criminal Case?
The prosecutor must prove their case against you beyond a reasonable doubt. Your Bellflower criminal lawyer’s job is to make that as difficult as possible.
One way to do that is to examine the potential defenses that can be raised in your case. Various factors will affect your attorney’s defense strategy, such as the type of crime you were charged with, mitigating factors, and available evidence.
Some defenses that may apply to your Bellflower case include:
- Lack of intent to commit the crime – Most crimes require that a defendant have a certain state of mind. For example, murder requires “malice aforethought,” meaning the defendant acted with wanton disregard for the victim’s life, knowing it would result in death. This defense can be used if you didn’t have the required intent or the incident was an accident.
- The police violated your constitutional rights. Examples include illegal searches and seizures, failing to read your Miranda rights, or refusing to let you call an attorney after an arrest.
- You have a valid and verifiable alibi and can prove you weren’t at the crime scene.
- Mistaken identity, such as if the victim or an eyewitness incorrectly blamed you for a crime you didn’t commit.
- You were falsely accused of the crime.
- You were acting in self-defense or protecting another person from imminent harm. This is a common defense in cases involving violent crimes.
- Police entrapment – If a law enforcement officer lured or pressured you into committing a crime that you otherwise wouldn’t have committed, an entrapment defense may be available.
- An insanity plea – In some cases, a defendant can raise an insanity defense, claiming they lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature of their criminal act.
Other defenses may apply based on the specific elements or nature of the crime. For example, if you were charged with driving under the influence, we may challenge the accuracy of the field sobriety test. Alternatively, we may raise doubt regarding the results of a breathalyzer or blood test.
It’s best to seek legal help from an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bellflower as soon as possible. The prosecution is probably already building their case against you. You need someone in your corner fighting for your rights and freedom.
The attorneys at The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys will thoroughly evaluate the facts of your case, the evidence against you, and relevant case law that can be used in your favor. We may even consult leading experts, such as toxicologists, forensic scientists, physicians, or criminologists.
Call today to get an award-winning criminal defense team who will stand up for your rights.
Contact Our Bellflower Criminal Defense Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
Have you been accused of criminal activity in Bellflower, CA? If so, don’t try to handle your legal defense by yourself. You need an advocate with substantial experience with the California justice system and local judges, prosecutors, and courts.
Attorney Ambrosio E. Rodriguez spent 13 years as a Senior Deputy District Attorney and has over 20 years of criminal law experience. He and his team know how to represent people accused of various crimes and have successfully handled numerous high-profile cases.
Contact The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys today to discuss your criminal charges and see how we can defend your rights. Our Bellflower criminal attorneys offer a free initial consultation where you can speak confidentially about your case.