Carson Criminal Defense Attorney
There’s no question that facing criminal charges in Carson, CA can be one of the most frightening experiences in your life. Fortunately, you don’t have to handle it alone.
With more than 50 years of combined experience, The Rodriguez Law Group knows what it takes to build a quality defense and protect your rights at every step. We’ve been helping accused people throughout California since opening our law firm in 1999.
Our Carson criminal defense attorneys can skillfully handle your case, whether you’re facing a minor misdemeanor or a serious felony charge.
Contact our law firm at (213) 995-6767 to schedule a free consultation if you need help after being arrested or charged with a crime in Carson, California.
How The Rodriguez Law Group Can Help If You’re Arrested in Carson, CA
When you’re arrested in Carson, California, the situation can be distressing and often incredibly confusing. Here’s how we can help:
Review Evidence
In your criminal defense case, it’s crucial to leave no stone unturned, and that includes a thorough review of all the evidence. We will examine every piece of evidence related to your charges with precise detail.
This could include police reports, videos or photos from the scene, eyewitness testimonies, and DNA samples – anything that may be used in your case.
Negotiate With Prosecutors
Having a criminal defense lawyer by your side means you don’t face this difficult situation alone. We will speak with prosecutors to try to negotiate a plea deal that will lead to a more favorable outcome, like reduced charges or penalties. It’s completely up to you if you decide to plead guilty, but it’s always good to at least know your options.
Represent You at Trial
Facing a criminal trial is no small matter. It can be intimidating with legal terminologies and courtroom procedures that are hard to understand. We will present evidence in support of your defense and cross-examine the state’s witnesses, poking holes in their case against you.
File an Appeal If Necessary
If you are convicted, we may be able to file an appeal on your behalf. Appeals are legal processes undertaken when you and your lawyer believe that a decision made by the court was incorrect.
The primary goal of an appeal isn’t to reargue the facts but rather review proceedings for any potential legal errors that could have affected the outcome of the trial.
If you’ve been arrested in Carson, CA, you don’t need to handle it alone. Contact The Rodriguez Law Group today to schedule a free consultation with a Carson criminal defense lawyer.
Overview of Criminal Defense in California
Criminal defense is the process of advocating for, protecting, and defending an individual who has been accused of committing a crime. It is a cornerstone of our justice system that helps ensure all citizens are treated fairly and given a chance to present their side of the story.
It involves collecting evidence, presenting arguments, and thoroughly examining and questioning the prosecutor’s allegations.
What Are the Potential Penalties For Criminal Convictions in Carson, California?
Being convicted of a criminal offense in California may result in several potential penalties, depending on the severity and nature of the crime. The most common penalties include the following:
Prison/Jail Time
This is the most serious punishment. The duration depends upon the severity of the crime, your criminal history, and whether you plead guilty or go to trial. Serious felonies often warrant years behind bars in prison, while misdemeanor convictions typically attract shorter jail sentences, if any incarceration time at all.
Probation
Another potential consequence for those facing criminal convictions in Carson is probation. Probation is an alternative to jail or prison time that allows a person to remain in the community under specific conditions but still serves as a form of punishment.
Rules and restrictions are put in place during probation, such as:
- Reporting to a probation officer
- Attending counseling
- Finding employment or obtaining an education
- Abstaining from drug and alcohol use
If probation conditions are violated, you could face additional penalties, including imprisonment and longer probation terms.
Fines
A person who’s been convicted of a crime might also be required to pay monetary fines along with their sentence. These fines can range from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars, depending on the severity and nature of the crime.
Substance Abuse Treatment, Anger Management, or Therapy
Sometimes criminal convictions might lead to mandatory therapy and treatment courses. This is particularly common in cases involving substance abuse, addiction, or anger management issues.
The court can order you to attend and complete these programs as a way to address the underlying factors contributing to criminal behaviors. Participating in these treatments can be a critical part of rehabilitation and, ultimately, a chance to overcome past mistakes and move forward toward a better future.
What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’m Arrested in Carson, CA?
Crafting a legal defense is crucial to any criminal case. Here are a few commonly used defenses:
Challenging the Validity of the Arrest and Evidence
This strategy targets the legality behind a defendant’s arrest or how evidence was collected. Lawyers often raise questions about whether proper procedures were followed by law enforcement authorities, like whether there was an unlawful search or if there was indeed probable cause for the arrest.
If your lawyer can show that your constitutional rights were violated during this process, they can file motions to suppress and have evidence excluded from the trial. This can severely weaken or ultimately destroy a prosecutor’s case.
Self-Defense
This type of defense is used when you believed that there was a real and immediate threat to your safety, prompting you to take necessary steps for self-protection. The key here is proving that the level of perceived danger warranted an act of self-defense in response.
Types of evidence that can help support your claim include witness testimony, evidence of injuries you suffered, and phone records of calls for help that you made during the incident.
Alibi
This defense asserts that you were somewhere else when the crime occurred. It’s essentially providing evidence to demonstrate your physical presence at a different location, making it impossible for you to have committed the alleged offense.
To succeed with an alibi defense, evidence is required. Examples include receipts or parking tickets, video footage showing that you were somewhere else at the time of the incident, and witness testimony corroborating your version of events.
Entrapment
Entrapment is a defense strategy utilized in criminal cases where you argue that you were induced or lured to commit a crime by law enforcement agents that you otherwise wouldn’t have committed. It focuses more on the improper conduct of police rather than your guilt or innocence.
Lack of Possession
Lack of possession is a defense often used in cases involving accusations of illegal substance or firearm possession. The focus is to demonstrate that you were unaware of the items and did not have direct control over them.
In a drug case, this would mean arguing that the drugs found were not yours or you did not know they existed. For example, they were found in a car that belonged to someone else, and you just happened to be a passenger in the vehicle.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Carson, California, choosing a reputable, experienced lawyer who understands how to build a defense and represent you at trial is critical.
Remember, your rights, reputation, and future are at stake. By seeking legal representation, you’ll improve your chances of receiving a favorable outcome in your case. If you need help, contact The Rodriguez Law Group to schedule a free consultation with a Carson criminal defense lawyer.
Our Locations
Los Angeles Office 626 Wilshire Blvd Suite 460 Los Angeles, CA 90017
