Frequently Asked Questions

If you were charged with breaking one or more California laws, you should contact a lawyer for criminal defense help immediately after the arrest. Waiting too long for legal advice could cause you to be unprepared for the first hearing of your case, especially if you’re unsure how to plead. Discussing your charges and possible penalties with a caring lawyer can ensure you understand the potential outcomes of your case before you make any decisions.

Public defenders are skilled attorneys, but they often handle hundreds of cases at once, limiting the time they can dedicate to each client. A private criminal defense attorney can offer personalized attention, faster communication, independent investigation, and a defense strategy tailored specifically to your case. When your freedom, record, and future are at stake, having an attorney who can fully focus on your defense can make a critical difference.

If you were arrested in Los Angeles, a criminal defense lawyer can help you understand your charges, including whether they’re misdemeanors or felonies. Generally, a misdemeanor may be punished by up to $1,000 in fines and up to one year in jail, though many charges don’t lead to any jail time. By contrast, felonies can be punished by more than one year in jail or several years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can defend you from either charge, so call us today.

You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Do not answer questions or explain your side of the story until you speak with a criminal defense lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you. Contact a qualified California criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights from the very beginning.

Yes. Even if you are completely innocent, the legal system is complex, and mistakes can happen. A criminal defense attorney ensures your rights are protected, evidence is properly challenged, and law enforcement followed legal procedures. Innocence alone does not guarantee charges will be dropped.

Yes, depending on the facts of your case. A defense attorney may challenge illegal searches, improper police conduct, weak evidence, or negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or dismissal. Early legal representation often improves outcomes.

Not always. California allows certain convictions to be expunged or sealed, depending on the offense and your eligibility. A criminal defense attorney can evaluate whether your record can be cleared and help protect your future employment and housing opportunities.

California laws change frequently, including reforms involving bail, sentencing, probation, firearm restrictions, and drug offenses. An experienced local defense attorney stays current on these changes and knows how to use them to your advantage.

If someone else’s negligence caused severe injuries, you may be entitled to pursue compensation by filing a personal injury claim against their insurance company. If they don’t have insurance, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the individual. Either way, this lets you get financially compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses commonly sustained in car accidents, dog bites, and other painful incidents.

If a fatal accident caused the death of your parent, child, spouse, grandchild, or other close family member, you can pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. This is helpful if you had to pay for the funeral, burial, and any medical bills left from the life-saving measures taken after the accident. If you relied on your loved one’s income to pay the bills, as is often the case with a spouse or parent, your wrongful death claim can request financial compensation for this loss, as well.

Sometimes an investigation into a car accident, motorcycle crash, or other incident finds that the injured victim was partly at fault. If you’re worried about this happening, rest assured you can likely still collect compensation. This is because California is a comparative negligence state that allows victims to be compensated even if they were partly or mostly at fault. Your settlement amount will decrease by the amount of fault you had in the accident, but it should still help you pay for medical bills and other expenses.

Insurance companies are not on your side—even if they seem helpful at first. A personal injury attorney understands how insurers minimize payouts and can protect you from accepting a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and future care. Studies consistently show that injured victims represented by attorneys recover significantly more compensation than those who go it alone.

Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Document the scene, take photos, gather witness information, and avoid discussing fault. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking with a personal injury lawyer.

Every case is different. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future treatment. The value depends on injury severity, liability, insurance coverage, and long-term impact. A personal injury attorney can give you a realistic estimate after reviewing your case.

Early settlement offers are often far lower than what your case is actually worth. Once you accept, you usually cannot pursue additional compensation—even if your injuries worsen. A lawyer can review the offer and negotiate for a fair settlement.

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Claims against government entities may have much shorter deadlines. Missing the deadline can permanently bar your claim, so it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

California follows a comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault—your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. An attorney can help minimize fault assigned to you.

Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take longer depending on medical treatment, insurance negotiations, and whether litigation is necessary. A lawyer helps ensure your case is not rushed at the expense of full compensation.