Beverly Hills Criminal Defense Attorney

Beverly Hills Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Beverly Hills, CA, you need to take action to protect your rights. You can’t trust the prosecutors, judges, or police to do what is best for you. 

An experienced Beverly Hills criminal defense attorney can defend you from start to finish. A lawyer will fight to keep you out of jail and mitigate the consequences of a conviction. 

The Rodriguez Law Group is a premier criminal defense law firm in Beverly Hills. We have experience representing clients charged with the most serious crimes. In fact, Ambrosio Rodriguez is a former prosecutor who understands how to fight against even the most serious, complex charges in the California Penal Code.

Time is of the essence in a criminal case. Contact our law office at (213) 995-6767 to set up a free consultation and discuss the next best steps for your defense.

How The Rodriguez Law Group Can Help With Your Criminal Charges In Beverly Hills, CA

How The Rodriguez Law Group Can Help With Your Criminal Charges In Beverly Hills, CA

Since 1999, The Rodriguez Law Group has defended residents in Beverly Hills and throughout Southern California from criminal charges. Our lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience. 

We have helped our clients win countless not-guilty verdicts in even the most serious cases, like murders and sex crimes. That being said, there is no case too small, and we take every case seriously.

When you hire our criminal defense law firm to defend you in Beverly Hills, California, you can count on us to:

  • Investigate the charges
  • Explain the law and potential consequences
  • Craft an effective defense
  • Collect evidence that supports your defense
  • Stand up for you in court
  • Review evidence gathered through discovery 
  • File motions 
  • Attend all hearings 
  • Negotiate for a plea deal (if appropriate)
  • Go to trial if necessary
  • Keep you updated on your case’s status at every step of the way

When you call our office to set up a free consultation, we can walk you through the best strategy for your case. It will vary from person to person. There is no risk in getting more information and input from a premier Beverly Hills criminal defense lawyer today.

We Can Defend You Against Any Criminal Charge in Beverly Hills

The Rodriguez Law Group is proud to have a team of lawyers with experience representing people charged with all types of crimes. While every case is different, it helps to hire a lawyer that knows how to defend against your specific charges. 

In Beverly Hills, we regularly represent clients charged with:

It’s common for clients to be charged with multiple crimes at the same time. We have the resources and experience to help you with any type of case. Call our office to discuss the details of your criminal charges.

What Should I Do if I Am Charged With a Crime in Beverly Hills? 

Being arrested or accused of a crime may be one of the most stressful events in your life. If you’ve never been in that situation before, you may be wondering what to do. 

Stay Quiet 

One of the most important things to do when charged with a crime is to stay quiet. You have a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

Do not speak to the police, or anyone, without a lawyer present. It’s tempting to share your side of the story, but it’s almost always a mistake. After all, you will probably be stressed, anxious, and unable to express yourself as clearly as normal.

Unfortunately, once you have been arrested, the police already believe that you have committed a crime. That’s not enough for the prosecutor to convict you; they will look for ways to twist your words and use them against you later. The best thing you can do is stay quiet and only share your side of the story with a trusted lawyer.

This also applies to family and friends. It’s normal to want to explain your defense or what happened to loved ones. This may backfire, especially if you are held in jail. Remember that the phones are recorded, and you may not have the privacy that you think. Plus, they might be called as a witness later in court.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer 

If you are arrested or charged with a crime in Beverly Hills, CA, you should immediately hire a lawyer. Many people mistakenly assume that the police or prosecutor will drop the charges once they realize that you have a defense. This is false. You cannot rely on the state to believe you once you have been charged. 

A lawyer is your best bet for getting charges dropped or reduced. They will understand how the criminal justice system works and the best defenses for your case. A lawyer can advocate for you in ways that you cannot do for yourself. It is crucial to hire a lawyer if you are facing charges that carry significant jail time. 

Remain Calm

It’s easy to say, but hard to do: remain calm if you are arrested or charged with a crime. While it is incredibly stressful, letting your anxiety get the best of you means you may not make the best decisions (like staying quiet). You also don’t want to regret saying or doing something out of anger that may come back to haunt you in the future. 

Potential Defenses to Criminal Charges in Beverly Hills, California

Every criminal charge has a defense. The details of your defense will depend on what happened and the facts of your case. A criminal defense attorney will help you build a solid defense based on evidence that can be presented in court. 

Some of the most common types of defenses include:

  • An alibi
  • Lack of criminal intent
  • Mistaken identity
  • Self-defense 
  • Necessity
  • Actual innocence
  • Entrapment 

Remember that in a criminal case, the prosecution bears the burden of proof. They must prove that you committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. You don’t need to prove anything. If they cannot meet that burden, they will not be convicted. This is also a defense, commonly referred to as insufficient evidence. 

Consequences of a Beverly Hills Criminal Conviction 

The consequences of a criminal conviction may vary greatly depending on the charges and your circumstances. In general, felony convictions have more consequences than misdemeanor convictions. However, you should speak with your lawyer to fully understand the potential consequences of your case.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor Consequences 

A felony is a crime that can be punished with a year or more in jail. A misdemeanor is punishable by a year or less in jail. 

Felonies are serious charges and can have a low-term, medium-term, or high-term sentence. The specific terms are defined in the statutes and depend on the offense.

Felonies can have other consequences aside from just jail time. Many people are placed on parole once they are released. They are required to follow certain rules and are closely supervised by a parole officer. Common rules may include:

  • Abstaining from drugs and alcohol
  • Maintaining employment
  • Staying out of trouble 
  • Completing substance abuse programs 
  • Not associating with certain people

In addition to these consequences, felonies can carry a fine, and in some situations, you may be ordered to pay restitution. 

On top of all of this, there are collateral consequences of felony convictions. Collateral consequences are not imposed by the court but happen because of other rules in our society. For example, many people who are convicted of a felony have a difficult time or are prohibited from:

  • Getting a job
  • Owning a firearm
  • Securing housing 
  • Qualifying for loans 
  • Voting 
  • Accessing education 

While misdemeanor convictions may have consequences like jail time and fines, there are far fewer collateral consequences than felonies. However, any criminal conviction can be serious, and it is important to mitigate all possible consequences.

Factors Influencing Criminal Consequences 

Regardless of the charge, some general factors may make the consequences of a conviction more or less severe. For example:

  • Your criminal record, or lack thereof
  • The strength of the evidence of the case 
  • The specific facts of the case 
  • The severity of the charges 
  • The combination of charges 

It’s common for the prosecution to offer a plea deal to resolve a case. In a plea deal, the defendant agrees to plead guilty instead of a more serious sentence or charge. They may plead guilty to lesser charges, some but not all of the charges, or different charges completely. 

The benefit of a plea deal is that you know what you will get without the risk of trial. The downside, however, is that you are still convicted of a crime. You should never take a plea deal lightly and always discuss the benefits and downsides with your lawyer.

Call The Rodriguez Law Group To Discuss Your Beverly Hills Criminal Case 

The best thing you can do when being charged with a crime is to get in touch with a Beverly Hills criminal defense attorney. The worst thing you can do is waste time and give the prosecutor a leg up. 

The Rodriguez Law Group is ready to help. Call our office to set up a completely free consultation. We can explain your charges and make a plan to defend you. The sooner that you call us, the sooner we can get started on your case. Don’t let the prosecution ruin your life without a fight.