Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney

Anyone who has been accused of a crime has the right to be represented by an attorney. The accusation of any type of crime can be a devastating and life-changing event in a person’s life so they deserve to be defended by an attorney before they face the consequences of the crime of which they have been accused. In order for the justice system to be considered fair and equitable for all people, those who have been accused of a crime should be able to defend themselves against those accusations. And if the accused want to have the best possible defense, then they will need the help of an experienced attorney.

The Law Office of Edward J. Blum is a criminal defense law firm that is dedicated to defending anyone in Los Angeles who has been accused of a crime. People who have been accused of a crime have rights and we are committed to defending those rights at all times. We will zealously defend all of our clients against the crimes they have been accused of and we will do all that we can to get their case dismissed or get them a reduced sentence. So if you have been accused of a crime in Los Angeles, then contact the Law Office of Edward J. Blum to get the help that you need.

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney

What To Do If You Have Been Arrested in Los Angeles

A defense lawyer will help to protect your rights if you ever get arrested, but even before an attorney arrives to help you, there are things that you can do to protect your rights. Those rights are included in the Miranda Warning that the police are obligated to recite to suspects prior to custodial interrogation. But even if the arresting officer does not recite the Miranda Warning, you still have your rights. One of those rights is the right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination.

You do not have to answer any of the questions the police ask you. Instead, you should keep silent and only request that you contact your lawyer. You might be asked to give your name, but that is the only question that you should answer. The arresting officer does not have the right to search you or your belongings so you can refuse any such request. However, they can pat you down if they think that you might be carrying a weapon. Some officers will still try to carry out a search even against your objections, and if they do, then you should make those objections loud and clear since that can help you when legal proceedings begin.

When you are arrested you should not try to run or resist arrest as those actions could get you into deeper trouble, simply do what the officer asks you. Once you have been detained you should not say anything or sign anything, you should just keep quiet except when you ask for a lawyer. Quite possibly your most important right is the right to an attorney so you should exercise that right as soon as you can. You have the right to make a phone call and if that call is to your attorney, then the police are not allowed to listen in. Above all else, you should not do or say anything without an attorney present.

If you believe that any of your rights were violated during the arrest, then you should take note of any important details like the badge number of the officers or the number of their patrol car. Any violation of your rights will be important in the upcoming legal proceedings so you should try to remember as many details as possible about your encounter.

Common Crimes in Los Angeles

Despite the fact that the LAPD has sometimes underreported the number of crimes that take place in the city, crime has been on a downward trend in Los Angeles. However, crimes still occur and they usually get classified as either violent crimes or property crimes. The most common kinds of violent crimes in Los Angeles are the following:

  • Aggravated assault
  • Robbery
  • Rape
  • Homicide

The most common kinds of property crimes are:

  • Larceny, e.g. shoplifting
  • Motor vehicle theft
  • Burglary
  • Arson

If you are wondering why robbery and burglary are in different categories, the reason is that robbery is when someone assaults another person and takes their property; whereas burglary is when someone trespasses on another person’s property and steals their belongings. There are other kinds of common crimes that do not fall into either the violent or property crime categories, such as drunk driving, drug possession, or trespassing.

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You

A criminal defense lawyer will know how to use the constitution and the legal system to secure a favorable outcome for their clients. It is not really possible for a person to defend themselves in the criminal justice system, which is why they need an attorney to defend them. There are many paths that a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can take to help their clients. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures by the police, so if any evidence is obtained that way, an attorney can ask for it to be suppressed so that it cannot be used.

After an arrest, an attorney can help to secure their client’s release from jail while the case is still pending. This is important because it means that the suspect can still work and earn a living while they await their trial. Bail is usually how suspects are allowed to leave jail while they await their trial and a criminal defense attorney can get that bail reduced in order to make it more affordable.

An attorney can also help their client avoid a trial altogether by making a plea bargain with the prosecuting attorney. A plea bargain is a settlement agreement between the two parties where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence. The criminal defense attorney can get a plea bargain by making the case so difficult for the prosecutor that they agree to a plea bargain simply to avoid the unwanted hassle. They can also get a plea bargain by showing that their client is remorseful and will not commit the crime of which they have been accused ever again.

A lawyer can use a plea bargain to eliminate the charges or reduce the sentence of their client. If the case does go to trial, then a lawyer will give the best possible defense for their client. They can present a credible case as to why their client was falsely accused or they can argue for a lesser sentence. Even if their client is found guilty by the court, an attorney can still negotiate a lesser sentence or even a rehabilitation program that can prevent them from entering the criminal justice system again. No matter what strategy the defense attorney uses, their help is invaluable to their client at every stage of the legal process.

Criminal Defense FAQs

What is the difference between being arrested and being charged with a crime?

A police officer can arrest someone if they have probable cause that would make them believe that person committed a crime. However, they cannot charge that person with a crime, because that is a formal legal process that can only be done by a government prosecuting agency like the District Attorney.

How does the bail process work?

Bail is paid as a condition of being released from jail before the court proceedings begin. If the person shows up on time for the proceedings, then the bail is returned. The bail amount is set by a judge at the bail hearing. The bail amount is based on the nature of the crime, with more serious crimes getting higher amounts, but the defense attorney can argue for a lower bail. If the suspect or their friends or family cannot pay the bail, then they can get a loan from a bail bond company.

What is attorney/client privilege?

Since a suspect has the right to be represented by an attorney, that means that they can tell the attorney anything, even things that might incriminate them. However, anything they tell their lawyer is private and cannot be used against them. In fact, nobody is even allowed to hear the private conversations between an attorney and their client because that communication is completely confidential.

Contact Us If You Have Been Accused of a Crime

When you have been arrested or detained because you are suspected of committing a criminal act, then time is of the essence. You should contact us as soon as you can, preferably before the police start asking you questions. The sooner you call the Law Office of Edward J. Blum the more that we can help you. But no matter when you call us, we guarantee that we will do everything that we can to ensure a favorable outcome for you. So do not hesitate to call us when you have been arrested; we are ready, willing, and able to provide you with the defense that you need.