Charged for a Crime?  Should I Plea Bargain or Should I go to Trial?   HOW TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS

A plea bargain is an agreement that is made between a prosecutor and the defendant.  Under the agreement usually the defendant will plead guilty in return for a reduced sentence.  If you have been arrested and charged for a crime it is important that you are equipped with knowledgeable Criminal Law Lawyers that understand how the procedures and guidelines of the Criminal Justice System in your jurisdiction work.

If you have been arrested and charges and the prosecutor’s office wished to pleas bargain with you It is advised that you choose a lawyer that is dependable knowledgeable and will fight hard to lower your sentence as much as possible. 

In most jurisdictions a pleas bargain can take place in almost any stage of the prosecutorial process.  Pleas negotiations can take a long time or they can be resolved rather shortly due to the high load of cases on the docket and the need for judicial efficiency.  In these negotiations prosecutor may use means that will increase their bargaining power and force you to accept plea bargains that included longer prison terms and fines that is possible.

Pleas bargains can also take to the effect where the charges are dropped and or a lesser charge is agreed upon where the defendant has to plead guilty.  In other plea bargains the prosecutor only bargains for the reduction of the terms of imprisonment.

In many situations plea bargain are not the best option.  It is important that you are represented by an criminal defense lawyers that is knowledgeably and will fight for your rights in any and every legal avenue possible in order to prevent you from going to prison.  Often court or state appointed attorneys (representation) do not provide the necessary legal representation in criminal matters.  This often leads to convictions and or plea bargains in which the defendant receive a sentence much greater then would have received if they were represented by a criminal defense attorney that would fight for your legal rights.  Under a pleas bargain you may have the option of pleading “guilty” or “no contest” these two terms have different legal definitions and will have different repercussions for you in the future.   

Downtown LA Law has a staff of Criminal Defense Lawyers that will fight for your rights and provide you with legal representation of the highest grade.   DO NOT allow prosecutors and the criminal justice system take advantage of you.  Do not spend time in prison when with great legal representation you can be free and out of prison. 

If you have been arrested and charged for a crime you can receive a FREE CONSULTATION from our criminal defense attorneys at DOWNTOWN LA LAW GROUP.   Please Call (855) DT-LA-LAW or visit our webpage.

Protect Your Minor from Juvenile Courts

Juvenile Courts:  What to do and who to contact when your son or daughter has been arrested:

Today in our increasingly economically troubles time many young folks are left with no jobs and their parents do not have the money to support their extracurricular activities.  As a result many children fall into the wrong crowd and take part in illegal activities that will get them arrested and lead them to Juvenile Courts where they can face a multitude of punishments as a result of what they have done.

Here at Downtownlalaw.com our Juvenile Criminal Law Attorneys will provide you with information that will help you and your children in any Criminal legal issues they may face.   For a free consultation contact us (855) DT-LA-LAW.

The Juvenile Court can have complicated procedures and guidelines that may be difficult to follow.  JV courts are an early example of specialized courts that developed as a result of a need of the urbanization of America during the late 19^th and early 20^th century.  The first JV courts were established in 1899.  State jurisdictions adopted the Juvenile court system in the 1940’s.   The basic goal of a Juvenile Court system is to rehabilitate the teen so that he will become a positive instead of a negative member of society contributing the growth of society instead of taking part in illicit and or illegal criminal activity. 

It is important to note the Juvenile courts are not limited to criminal activities of the minor.  Most states that have jurisdictions over juvenile courts also take part is cases where the minor is involved in abuse and or neglect by the parent or guardian.  Also Juvenile court systems have jurisdiction over non criminal statute offenses that minors are responsible for.   For example a 7^th grade student that often ditches school may be brought to the Juvenile court system for punishment.

There are instances where a judge in a Juvenile court system believes that the matter that is brought to his court is so egregious as to require sending the matter to a regular criminal court where the minor is to be treated as an adult.  Don’t let this happen to your minor. In these instances it is vital that an attorney be contacted so that the rights  of the minor are protected. 

Our blog will continue to proved relevant information regarding California Juvenile court system procedures and laws as well as the Juvenile court system law of other states and jurisdictions.   Having your son or daughter brought to court for a wrong can be a difficult process.  It can devastate the family; don’t wait until its too late.  Contact an attorney that can help.  

For a FREE CONSULTATION call (855) DT LA LAW

Crime of Vandalism: What is it how to defend yourself

Crime of Vandalism:

In our urban society and with the growth in Street Art in an around Los Angeles County the crime of vandalism has become an important criminal law topic. Many Criminal Law Defense Lawyers and Criminal Law attorney have witnesses a rise in the prosecution of such vandalism offenses in Southern California.

The definition of Vandalism is the defacing, destruction or damaging of a property that does not belong to you, or property that you do not have permission to destroy.

According to California’s Vandalism Law under penal code 594 the legal definition of vandalism is "Every person who maliciously commits any of the following acts:

• Defaces with graffiti or other inscribed material
• Damages or
• Destroys the real or personal property of another."

In order to effectively charge you with vandalism, the district attorneys’ office must to prove:

(1) You destroyed or damages property belonging to another person through defacement

(2) It was our intent to do so, in other words they must prove Malice was involved

(3) And the value of the damage to the property less than $400, however, in a felony prosecution the value of the damage has to be more than $400.

Vandalism Law may cover many differing criminal activities. Most prosecuted acts of vandalism include, church vandalism, cemetery vandalism, mail box vandalism, school vandalism and car vandalism.   Other examples of vandalism in the state of California

·         Slashing tire

·         Destroying a park or bus bench

·         Destroying or damaging subway system terminals

·         Spraying of Graffiti

The Definition of Graffiti under California law includes, “any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, mark, or design, that is written, marked, etched, scratched, drawn, or painted on real or personal property”

There is a growing demand by the public for district attorney’s offices to prosecute persons who have committed acts of vandalism. Vandalism law can be a difficult to understand.  If you or anyone you know have been charged for such an offense feel free to contact out Vandalism Law attorney and general criminal law attorneys’ at Downtownlalaw.com  

  

Talking to the Police: When Police question a person who has not yet been arrested and or is not under police custody

You must understand that prosecutors can and will use any and every iota of evidence against you in their attempts to prosecute you for a crime that you have been arrested or charged with.  It is important that you know your rights when it come to police questioning in general and how your answers, even the one that might seem innocent at the time can and will be used against you in a court of law.

As a suspect or as a person has been arrested for a crime Police questioning and police actions in general are designed for one major purpose, to use the information garnered to prosecute you or to charge you with new crimes that you may have confessed to.

There are several situation in which police officers may questing you when you have not yet been place under police control, referred to as police custody.  Automobile and Vehicle stop for violations of traffic ordinance or laws, conversation via electronic of telephones, visiting a person in their home, employment, or place of business, stops on the street.

Below is some information that may be helpful to persons that are questioned by the police.

First:  You are not legally obligated to speak to a police officer.  The Fifth Amendment,  protects a person from arrest for failing to speak to a police officer or for failing to answer a law enforcement officer questions.

Second:  If you start to answer a Police officer question and no longer want to continue you have the right to refuse to answer his questions.  You simply need to indicate that you no longer want to speak to the officer. 

Third:  In a traffic stop a police officer has the right to ask for your identification papers.  Failure to provide the police with such information may lead to more serious infractions including arrest.  However you still have the right to refuse to answer any of the police officer questions.  You will not be charged with a more serious infraction or arrest as a result of a failure to answer his questions.

Fourth: Even if you have not done anything that you may thing is illegal or wrong in any way you may still be in jeopardy I you decide to speak to the police.  There be a law which you did not know existed that you are in violation of.  Or the police may, base on information you have provided, charge you with the underlying crime. 

In some situations speaking with the police regarding an unlawful matter may be helpful. However one should always suspect that the officers questions and your answers can and will be used against you in a court of law.  If you are being questioned or believe that you are a suspect in a crime it is important the you contact a Criminal Defense Attorney or a Criminal Defense Law Firm so that your legal rights will be protected.

This information was provided by our staff or Criminal Law Attorneys at Downtowlalaw.com.   

Domestic Violance

Domestic violence arrests and charges are a serious offence.  The California legal system and courts are very harsh on cases of domestic violence.  Domestic Violence Charges are handled with stricter punishments when it is determined that physical force or threats of violence are used against an intimate partner or loved one, such as a child. If you have been charged for an Domestic violence crime you need to know your rights. Here at Criminal Defense Attorney Legal Center we will attempt to give you information from attorneys well versed in the area of Domestic Violence Defense that can help you know your rights.  

If you have any further questions regarding your legal rights, the consequences of a domestic violence conviction and possible jail time for a convicting feel free to visit our informative webpage http://downtownlalaw.com/  or Call Toll Free 855-385-2529

Domestic Violence Charges


Here are a list of some of the most common Domestic Violance Offenses
(1) Domestic Battery which includes imposition of violence against a spouse of cohabitant
(2) Child Abuse including violence, inhumanity and cruelty, mental abuses, physical injury resulting from corporal punishment.
(3) Child Endangerment, when a child health or safety has been place in danger

(4) Criminal Threats against spouse of Children in the household.

Penalties for Domestic Violence

The penalties for domestic violence depend on the severity of the incident and the criminal history of the violator. A minimum of 30 days in jail is usually imposed on the person committing the crime, even when it is the first time someone makes the offense. In addition, domestic violence classes are usually ordered on the convicted, as they usually need to seek help to overcome their issues.

Seeking help with your Domestic Violence Charges?

At the offices of Downtown LA Law, we are here to help. Whether you are falsely accused or need help to lessen your charges, our attorneys are dedicated to you as their client to represent you with fairness and justice. Your initial consultation is always free, and we can advise you in the best direction for your situation. We can represent you in court and get you the best outcome possible. Don’t put your hands in the fate of another office; Downtown LA Law is the best solution for your case – call us today.