SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

Orange County Investigation Lawyer                 Los Angeles County Investigation Lawyer

(714) 677-4141                                                              (213) 215-0135

If you are involved in an ongoing police investigation regarding allegations of criminal wrongdoing, you need to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side to protect your rights and to help prevent charges from being filed against you. Here is important information you need to know about an ongoing criminal investigation and an explanation of the process.

            During the period of police investigation it would be in your best interest to do the following:

            1         DO NOT GIVE ANY STATEMENTS to any police officers, investigators, social workers, someone else’s attorney, or anyone asking about the allegations. Inform anyone who asks about the allegations that upon advice of your attorney you cannot make any statements or respond to any questions or that you are currently in the process of seeking an attorney and that you will have your attorney contact them as soon as possible. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF POLICE QUESTIONING IS TO ELICIT STATEMENTS THAT WILL BE USED TO PROSECUTE YOU.

            2         DO NOT DISCUSS THE ALLEGATIONS with anyone.  Your statements to friends, relatives or coworkers are not privileged and may be used against you.

            3        CONTACT THIS OFFICE to discuss the allegations against you and if you receive any official contact (from the Court, Police, District Attorney's office, etc.) regarding the allegations you face, don’t wait! Contact a criminal defense attorney to respond on your behalf.

What Our Office Can Do For You

During this period of investigation we will contact the authorities regarding your case. However, the authorities are not required to speak with your attorney and may choose to not discuss the allegations.  Further, the authorities can take whatever action the law permits (including arrest or filing of charges), with or without your attorney's knowledge or approval.  A suspect in a crime investigation may be arrested at any time, anywhere, as permitted by law, if the police feel they have enough evidence to make a case, regardless of whether the suspect has an attorney.

HOWEVER, having an attorney on your side during a pending case has several advantages, including:

(1)    An attorney can be a contact and intermediary for official contacts between a suspect and the police

(2)    The presence of an attorney can give the police assurance that a suspect will not flee the jurisdiction, which may reduce the chances of you getting arrested immediately.

(3)    Many times the police will speak to your attorney and ask him/her to surrender you at the local police station or to the Court rather than showing up at your residence or workplace and arresting you in front of everyone.

(4)    Also, having an attorney involved may lead to lower bail or immediate release without bail after an arrest or surrender.

(5)    An attorney already familiar with the allegations, who is "up to speed," can act quickly after an arrest to advocate on behalf of a client.

A police investigation can last for weeks, or months, and long periods of time can pass without any new information or contact.  Criminal charges, depending on the allegations, can be filed up to one year, and sometimes as long as six years after the date of alleged wrongdoing. Police investigations for certain crimes do not have a statute of limitations and can be filed 30 or 40 years later! Police agencies are overwhelmed with work, and sometimes this creates a backlog resulting in delays unrelated to the substance of a particular case.

Many times when police investigators contact a person and want to question them, people feel that they are required to respond or feel as though they MUST answer their questions. Such is not the case. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.

Generally, when the police want to question a suspect and that person does not wish to cooperate, he/she might seem more suspicious to the investigator. Having an attorney during the investigation stage of a criminal matter can prevent unnecessary attention and suspicion placed upon a suspect for their failure to respond to police questioning. Therefore, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney immediately and to consult with a criminal defense attorney to help you through an ongoing police investigation.

What Your Rights Are When Facing Criminal Charges in Court

Everyone has important constitutional rights when charged with a crime in court. If charges have already been filed against you, the court probably advised you of these rights if you appeared without an attorney at your arraignment- the first court appearance in a criminal matter.

            Your rights are:

            1)     To be represented by an attorney of your choice.

            2)     To have a speedy trial.

            3)     To have a public trial by jury.

            4)     To subpoena witnesses without expense.

            5)     To confront witnesses against you.

            6)     To testify in your own defense.

            7)     TO REMAIN SILENT.

            8)     To be sentenced in not less than 6 hours or more than 5 days from the time of  plea.

            9)     To appeal the denial of a suppression motion.

If you enter a plea of guilty or no contest without going to trial, the court will ask you to waive all of the above rights.

Contact the attorney who can make a difference in YOUR case. If you, a friend or a loved one is being investigated for a crime in Los Angeles county, or is involved in an ongoing police investigation  in Orange County, don’t hesitate, pick up the phone and call our office immediately, your call is FREE. 

 We can resolve your conflict at law with our familiarity with your local Court and District Attorney.