Our Team Handles All Types of Criminal Law Matters
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
The Rodriguez Law Group is a downtown Los Angeles criminal defense firm led by Ambrosio E. Rodriguez, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney and former Senior Deputy District Attorney with over 13 years of prosecutorial experience handling serious cases, including homicide, sexual assault, and death-penalty trials.
The firm defends state and federal charges throughout Los Angeles County, from DUI and misdemeanors to sex crimes, homicide, and federal indictments.
An arrest, a card left by a detective, or a letter from a prosecutor changes everything about the weeks ahead, whether the case is yours or belongs to someone you love.
What you need now is a defense built by someone who knows how the other side prepares its case, because he spent years preparing those cases himself.
Call (213) 995-6767 for a free consultation. The firm answers 24/7, and consultations are available in English and Spanish.
Trusted in Court. Recognized in the Media.
People searching for a criminal lawyer in Los Angeles usually want proof before they pick up the phone. Here is what the firm brings to the first conversation.
- Former Senior Deputy District Attorney. Ambrosio Rodriguez prosecuted serious felonies, including homicide, sexual assault, and death-penalty cases, before moving to the defense side.
- 30 years of combined experience. The firm's attorneys bring decades of combined criminal law experience to every case.
- Regular legal commentator. Mr. Rodriguez has appeared as a legal analyst on FOX 11, KTLA, and Estrella. Those segments are collected on the firm's In the News page.
- Client feedback. Read our client reviews.
- Available 24/7. Arrests happen at night and on weekends. So do first calls, and the firm answers them.
Our Founder
An Award-Winning Los Angeles Defense Lawyer
Finding the right Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer means finding someone who understands the opposition. Ambrosio E. Rodriguez is a former Senior Deputy District Attorney with over 13 years of experience prosecuting the most serious crimes in California.
During his time with the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Rodriguez led the Sex Crimes Unit and served in the Homicide Unit. He handled high-profile cases involving the Death Penalty and murder trials.
This background gives him an insight few defense attorneys can match. He understands how prosecutors construct their cases, how they evaluate and select juries, and precisely where their files are most vulnerable.
Since establishing Ambrosio & Associates, Mr. Rodriguez has drawn on his years as a prosecutor to advocate for dismissals and acquittals in complex, high-stakes cases. His well-earned reputation as a forceful courtroom advocate has also led to frequent appearances as a legal analyst on major news networks. You may have seen him on CNN, Fox News, or ABC.
When you hire Mr. Rodriguez, you hire an attorney who has spent decades working within the Los Angeles criminal justice system. He uses that experience to fight for your future.
Get a Free Consultation
Types of Los Angeles Area Criminal Defense Cases We Handle
The firm handles criminal cases across the full range of severity, with particular depth in the most serious felonies. Each category below links to a page covering the specific statutes, penalties, and defenses. For the complete list, see our criminal defense practice areas.
HONORS & AWARDS
How Does a Criminal Case Move Through the Los Angeles Courts?
Most felony cases in Los Angeles County follow the same general path: investigation or arrest, a filing decision, arraignment, a preliminary hearing, pretrial motions, and then either a negotiated resolution or a trial. Misdemeanor cases skip the preliminary hearing but otherwise follow a similar sequence.
- Investigation and arrest. Police or a federal agency gathers evidence. Anything said to officers during this stage may become part of the case.
- Filing decision. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, or a city attorney for many misdemeanors, decides whether to file charges and which ones. This is often the first and best opportunity to limit the case.
- Arraignment. A person in custody generally must be brought before a judge within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, under Penal Code section 825. The charges are read, a plea is entered, and bail or release conditions are addressed.
- Preliminary hearing. In felony cases, a judge decides whether enough evidence exists to hold the defendant for trial. Cross-examining witnesses at this stage often shows how strong the prosecution's case really is.
- Pretrial motions and negotiation. The defense may move to suppress evidence, dismiss counts, or reduce a wobbler to a misdemeanor, while negotiating with the assigned deputy.
- Trial or resolution. If the case does not resolve, it goes to a jury, which must find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Many downtown felony cases are heard at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center at 210 West Temple Street, a short drive from the firm's Wilshire Boulevard office. Others are assigned to branch courthouses such as Van Nuys, the Airport Courthouse, Long Beach, Pasadena, Compton, and Torrance, depending on where the arrest occurred.
If you or a family member is facing charges, call (213) 995-6767 today for a free consultation. Early representation shapes what happens at every step above.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Criminal Lawyer in Los Angeles
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Los Angeles?
Most Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers charge a flat fee for a defined stage of the case, such as through the preliminary hearing or through trial. The amount depends on the charge, whether the case is a misdemeanor, felony, or federal matter, and how much investigation and trial preparation it needs. The Rodriguez Law Group explains its fee after a free consultation. For sex crime cases specifically, see how much a sex crime attorney costs in Los Angeles.
Should I talk to a lawyer before I am charged?
Yes. The period before charges are filed is often the most valuable time to have counsel. A lawyer may handle contact with detectives, preserve helpful evidence, and in appropriate cases present information to the prosecutor before a filing decision. No lawyer can promise that charges will not be filed, but early action keeps more options open.
Can I hire a lawyer for a family member who is in jail?
Yes. Families often make the first call and arrange payment. The attorney still represents the person charged, so confidential case details are discussed with the client rather than the family. The firm will meet the accused in custody, explain the process to the family, and address bail at the earliest opportunity.
Will my case be in state court or federal court?
That depends on which agency investigated and which law was allegedly broken. Most LAPD and Sheriff's Department arrests go to Los Angeles County Superior Court. Cases investigated by the FBI, DEA, HSI, or IRS are often filed in federal court in downtown Los Angeles. Some conduct violates both state and federal law, and either system may bring charges.
Do you handle cases outside the city of Los Angeles?
Yes. The firm handles criminal cases in courthouses throughout Los Angeles County, from the downtown Criminal Justice Center to branch courts in the San Fernando Valley, the South Bay, and the San Gabriel Valley. Federal matters are handled in the Central District of California's Los Angeles courthouses.
Talk to a Former Prosecutor Before You Talk to Anyone Else
Every statement, search, and filing decision in the next few days shapes what follows. Call The Rodriguez Law Group at (213) 995-6767 for a free consultation, available 24/7, or request a consultation online. The office is located at 626 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 460, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
No attorney can guarantee an outcome. What a defense attorney can do is make sure the prosecution's version is not the only one the court hears.
This page is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Get a Free Consultation