Los angeles ada defense attorneys

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being charged with a crime in California can be a daunting experience. Often, serious legal troubles come with high stakes for those who are involved. If you or someone you know have been convicted of a crime in the Los Angeles area, it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation that will fight for you during this process.

Here at Stein and Markus Law, we relentlessly advocate for justice in all situations, helping fight for our clients’ rights every day. We are trusted criminal defense attorneys that can help you through the often-difficult legal proceedings of a criminal case. With decades of experience, we have worked on hundreds of successful criminal defense cases, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, in the Los Angeles area.

What is the Difference Between a Lawyer and a Criminal Defense Attorney?

A lawyer is an individual that practices general law, meaning that they are not only knowledgeable about how the law works, but they can also have a variety of different responsibilities within the legal system. Lawyers’ duties can range from representing a plaintiff or defendant in court to giving legal advice to those in need. A general practicing lawyer doesn’t handle crime cases, as they are more focused on the civil aspects of the law instead. Lawyers can also choose to specialize in different areas of the law as well.

One of those areas of the law that many lawyers choose to specialize in is criminal law. A criminal defense attorney, also referred to as a criminal lawyer, exclusively practices criminal law and handles cases that deal with crimes. As defense attorneys, this means that we specifically represent clients accused of crimes and that we are extremely experienced in this field of law.

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

A criminal defense attorney’s job is exactly what it sounds like—to defend people who are facing criminal charges or who have been convicted of a crime. It is the defense lawyer’s job to represent and advocate for their client throughout all legal proceedings, including bail hearings, interrogations, and every court hearing when the case finally goes to trial. A criminal defense lawyer represents the defendant’s side of the story while also defending them against the prosecution. A defense attorney can be either privately hired or appointed by the court, but the defendant always has the constitutional right to legal counsel when facing criminal charges. Criminal defense attorneys have a multitude of duties to perform when handling a criminal case, including:

Analyzing the prosecution’s evidence
Getting the defendant’s side of the story
Representing the defendant in court
Forming plea deals when possible
Interviewing and cross-examining the witnesses

When Your Future is at Stake

At Stein & Markus, we will employ a comprehensive and aggressive strategy to successfully defend you. Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Our Services

Cases We Handle

Practice Areas in Criminal Law

Our specialized criminal defense attorneys can represent you in a variety of different kinds of cases that deal with crimes in the state of California. Stein and Markus are some of Los Angeles’ finest criminal lawyers and are experienced in all of the following areas:

Theft and Fraud Crimes

Theft is a crime that can have a wide range of differing characterizations and punishments. Many people are unaware of how the crime of theft is characterized in California. The two main types of theft identified by the law are petty theft and grand theft, but these crimes can also be broken down into categories like robbery, burglary, and fraud.

Theft is defined as the act of taking something without authorization from the person or entity (such as a business) who owns the item in question, and it is usually categorized by the value of what was stolen. In the state of California, if the value of the property stolen is over $950, it is considered grand theft and can result in serious charges. If it is under $950, then it is considered petty theft, which holds much less severe consequences, such as fines. Though there are some things, like cars or certain animals, that are considered grand theft automatically.

Someone charged with fraud, on the other hand, has to have either committed some sort of act where they received benefits that they did not deserve, impersonated another individual in order to steal money/information, or caused loss or harm to another individual by intentionally misleading them. Fraud is usually motivated by financial aspects but, in some cases, can be a federal crime.

That’s why having a defense attorney you can trust to represent you through a theft or fraud case is so important, as the consequences could be serious.

Homicide / Murder

Being charged with homicide or murder can result in serious charges, and wrongful accusations of homicide or murder can massively impact an individual’s life. The state of California has different “levels” of murder that guide the prosecution in decisions such as sentencing. The different levels of murder in California range from:

Capital Murder/Murder with Special Circumstances

This is essentially first-degree murder with ‘special circumstances’ that make the case more serious. The circumstances in the situation refer to the details around the case and what may have led the individual to murder. These circumstances can include, for example, murdering a witness specifically so that they cannot testify in a trial. Being charged with capital murder is the most severe murder charge an individual can receive in the state of California.

First-Degree Murder

The California Penal Code defines murder as the deliberate, premediated killing of an individual; torturing, poisoning, killing someone with a destructive device; or felony murder.

Felony Murder

Felony murder is what an individual may be charged with if they killed someone in the process in of a committing a crime, for example, during a robbery.

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is a more common charge. An individual may be convicted of second-degree murder if they killed someone but did not premeditate the crime. Many of these murder cases are referred to as “crimes of passion,” because they happen in the heat of the moment and the defendant may not have thought it through at the time.

Watson Murder

A Watson Murder is a specific type of murder recognized in California, in which a person can be charged with second-degree murder if they kill someone while driving drunk (or under the influence of alcohol or drugs). In these cases, the prosecution’s main task is to prove that the defendant acted with implied malice. If your attorney can make a solid argument that you didn’t understand the dangers of driving under the influence, you may be able to avoid the harshest possible outcome. A history of DUIs, however, is one sure way to ruin those chances.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter is another common charge and often occurs if the case at hand can’t fit under any of the other definitions of homicide. There are three primary kinds of manslaughter: voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and vehicular manslaughter.

1437 Petitions

Senate Bill 1437 was signed into law in 2018, changing the way the state of California prosecutes those who are accused of felony murder. This bill affects the current sentences of many convicted criminals across the state. The main aspects of SB 1437 are:

A murder can only be prosecuted as a felony if there was intent to kill.
Defendants can no longer be convicted of natural or probable consequence murder.
The new law is retroactive, so people convicted under the old law can petition their cases.

If you believe your sentence could be affected by SB 1437, our criminal lawyers can help you petition to help reduce or even end your sentence.

Weapons Violations

California is a state with tighter regulations on gun other and weapon laws, meaning there are a variety of different charges that can result in serious consequences, including:

Illegal possession of firearms
Carrying a concealed weapon
Brandishing a firearm
Negligent discharge of a gun
Using a firearm while committing a felony
Weapons trafficking
Possessing an unregistered firearm

Some more serious charges of weapons violations can even go to the federal level. Making sure you have a good Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to assess your case and build your defense will help immensely.

Federal Crimes Defense

The majority of criminal cases are handled at the local and state judicial levels, but sometimes a more severe case will move to the federal level of jurisdiction for appropriate sentencing. Federal crime cases will often have different regulations and laws than your local or state courts and require knowledgeable legal counsel to help defend you throughout the case. A federal crime often has a more intense investigation into the surroundings of the act as well as everyone that may have been involved. Being charged with a federal crime can also result in harsher sentences, due to the severity of the actions.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence in California is defined as committing abuse against your partner, whether intentionally or through recklessness. Accusations of domestic violence will not be taken lightly in court, which is why you should always have a trusted attorney to represent you. Domestic violence includes domestic battery, child abuse, elder abuse, and more. California law also notes that domestic violence also includes violating a protective order or stalking someone.

DUI Defense

At Stein and Markus we have handled many different kinds of DUI cases successfully. An individual can face a charge of driving under the influence if they were driving a vehicle when intoxicated over the legal limit of alcohol or drugs. We know that sometimes, people just make the wrong decisions, and that’s why we defend Los Angeles residents who are with a DUI in Los Angeles. There are multiple kinds of DUIs in California:

First Offense DUI
Second Offense DUI
Third/Multiple DUI
Underage DUI
DUI Resulting in Accidents/Injuries
DUI Related to Drugs
Watson Murder

Computer / Internet Crimes

Computer crimes, also commonly referred to as cyber crimes or internet crimes, can often be quite complex cases due to the level of technology that is involved. California law identifies multiple different kinds of cyber crimes, including:

Hacking
Phishing
Identity Theft
Taking/Copying Internet Data
Online harassment, Cyber bullying, Cyber stalking
Online solicitation of minor and related sex crimes
Bank Fraud

Cyber crime cases can often go to the federal level—another reason it is vital to have a defense attorney that will fully investigate your side and the laws regarding any charges you may be facing.

Expungement / Sealing Records

Expungement is the legal process of removing, or “erasing,” a prior criminal conviction from someone’s record to relieve them of their responsibilities tied to it. This gives many individuals who have served their time a fresh start when they finish their sentences. There are multiple different reasons that you may be eligible for expungement, such as finishing your probation completely or, if you didn’t have probation, waiting one full year from the conviction to apply. There are limitations to expungement, though; certain crimes, such as murder and kidnapping, will not be expunged. If you are looking to have a recent criminal conviction expunged in Los Angeles, contact us for more information.

Many people think that expungement is the process of sealing records or that they are both just interchangeable terms, but that’s not the case. Record sealing focuses on arrests, whereas expungement can dismiss convictions. Sealing your record allows you to be relieved of the arrest, releasing you from any legal obligation to disclose it.

Drug Crimes

Drug crimes have been one of the largest causes of arrests in the country for years. A large percentage of people arrested across our nation were convicted for non-violent drug crimes, many even due to addiction. Because of this, there are many complicated aspects that can go into being charged with a drug crime. While California has more lenient sentencing on certain drug related offenses, there are still some charges that can result in serious sentences. Drug crimes in California include:

Drug Possession
Drug Possession With The Intent To Sell
Selling Drugs / Drug Trafficking
Importing Drugs
Prescription Drug Crimes
Manufacturing, Cultivating, Or Distributing Drugs
Possession Of Illegal Drug Paraphernalia

If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug related crime in Los Angeles, seeking legal counsel should be a top priority to help you get through this.

Sex Crimes

In California, a sex crime is any crime of a sexual nature. Sex crimes are serious cases that a prosecution will not take lightly, but there are many contributing factors that go into these cases that will be reviewed. From the matter of the assault to who was involved, all details of the case will be collected in order to prosecute the defendant. Here at Stein and Markus, our attorneys have immense experience in the field of sex crimes and defending those who have been accused of them. On top of that, we know how important privacy is in these situations, especially when someone has been falsely accused. That’s why we work to make sure that our cases stay out of the media.

Alternative Sentencing

When the defendant and society would both benefit from it, some cases allow for the possibility of alternative sentencing. In California, there are a few different kinds of alternative sentencing options for defendants that may be eligible:

Voluntary house arrest/home detention
Drug/Alcohol Rehab
Fines
Ankle Monitor
Probation
Community Service

There are many different factors that the court will have to take into consideration to decide whether or not you are a good choice for alternative sentencing, such as your previous criminal history or if you may be a flight risk. Alternative sentencing offers a different method of helping offenders rehabilitate, and we can help you pursue it for yourself.

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How to Pick the Best Criminal Defense Attorney for Your Case

When it comes to choosing the criminal defense attorney that is best for you and your case, there are a couple of aspects you should keep in mind:

Experience

Here at Stein and Markus, we know how crucial experience can be when finding a criminal lawyer to help represent your case. Between our attorneys, we have decades upon decades of experience successfully representing clients in a wide range of criminal cases throughout the Los Angeles area.

Reputation

The reputation of the attorney you choose to represent you is also important. You don’t want to choose someone that’s known for having heavily publicized trials or that often loses cases. Instead, you want to choose an attorney with a reputation and experience you can trust. At our law firm, our criminal defense attorneys have years of experience and a glowing reputation. One of our attorneys, Markus, is even a former prosecutor—adding to the insight that helps us represent all different kinds of criminal cases.

Comfort Level

Another large aspect that many people forget to consider in the process of searching for a defense attorney to help them with their case is their level of comfortwith their lawyer. If you have a lawyer you feel like you are not able to talk to, there is the possibility of miscommunication, and mistakes can be made because of it. It’s essential to feel comfortable around the attorney that you are working with and trust that they will always act in your best interest.

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Hiring an Experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney

Being charged with a crime can result in serious consequences and have high stakes for everyone involved. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney that will fight for you throughout your case.

With decades of experience, our attorneys here at the Law Offices of Stein and Markus are some of the finest criminal defense attorneys in the Los Angeles area. They have worked on hundreds of criminal cases while advocating for the rights of their clients and fighting to uphold justice. Don’t let a criminal conviction take over your life. If you or someone you know has been criminally charged in the Los Angeles Area, contact our attorneys to learn more about how we can represent you todayand get the help you need.

Misdemeanors Vs. Felonies

In the state of California, crimes are characterized in three main ways, with the last two being the ones that require legal counsel:

Infractions

Infractions are the lightest of the offenses and are meant to be a slap on the wrist, so they don’t usually require legal representation. Infractions deal with minor offenses, such as speeding tickets.

Misdemeanors

A misdemeanor is the next step up from an infraction, and those facing one should enlist legal help. The punishments that come along with misdemeanors are more serious and can include a maximum of one year of jail time, which is why the defendant will want to make sure they have an attorney to represent them throughout their proceedings.

Felonies

Felonies are the most serious charges that a defendant can receive and have the most severe consequences, such as serving anywhere from just over a year to a life sentence in prison. Felonies include cases such as murder, manslaughter, and DUIs that cause serious harm to others.

California’s “Three Strikes” Law

Every state has different legislation in place for how varying crimes are prosecuted. In California, there are some laws specific to the state that you and your defense attorneys should know about. One law in the California Penal Code that can cause many difficulties in a case is the “Three Strikes” Law. This legislation gives the state the authority to give a sentence of 25-to-life to a defendant that has been charged with three violent or serious crimes in California.

When Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Being accused of a crime can be daunting, making most people unsure of what to do when they find themselves in the situation. Hiring a criminal defense attorney should be one of the first actions you take when accused of a crime in California. Every person has the right to legal counsel, allowing you to choose your own criminal defense attorney if you desire. By hiring a criminal lawyer, you can receive help figuring out the legal aspects of your situation and fighting for the best possible outcome.

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