Santa Monica Criminal Defense Attorneys | Former West LA Prosecutors
Whether you have been charged with a minor offense or a serious felony, the skilled Santa Monica criminal defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP can make the difference between your freedom or jail. With over 70 years of combined criminal law experience in Los Angeles, Santa Monica criminal defense attorneys Eugene Hanrahan and Stephen Sitkoff possess the expertise and trial skills to prepare a strong legal defense against your felony or misdemeanor case. During your free consultation, we carefully review each of the available facts of your case and patiently explain each of your legal options. Contact one of our experienced criminal defense lawyers in Santa Monica for a free consultation today at (310) 861-6753.
Santa Monica criminal lawyers Eugene Hanrahan and Stephen Sitkoff have each practiced criminal law for over 35 years as former senior Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys and since 1987, criminal and DUI defense experts. Their decades of legal knowledge and trial experience provide our clients with a courtroom advantage and track record of success in Airport Courthouse less experienced criminal attorneys cannot match. Mr. Sitkoff has been awarded an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell as recognition for his professionalism and ethics.
Our Santa Monica Criminal Defense Specialties
DUI – Although drunk driving is typically a misdemeanor crime under California Vehicle Code 23152, it can be elevated to a felony under California Vehicle Code 23153 if circumstances such as causing a traffic collision result in serious injury or death to another. Moreover, you could be charged with 2nd Degree Murder or a “Watson Murder” if you are arrested for vehicular manslaughter with impairment with prior DUI or Wet Reckless convictions. The punishment for a Santa Monica DUI can include jail time, fines, probation, driver’s license suspension, and DMV-mandated installation of an ignition interlock device (IID).
Drug Crimes – Controlled substances such as Cocaine, Heroin, and Methamphetamine were at one time considered felony drug possession crimes in Santa Monica. However, the passage of Prop. 47 in 2014 decriminalized these drug offenses under HS 11350 and HS 11377 to misdemeanor drug charges for individuals with no prior serious felony convictions. While the majority of drug possession charges are prosecuted as misdemeanors, registered sex offenders and people with prior felony strikes could have their drug possession charges elevated to felonies due to their prior criminal history. While, possession of a controlled substance for personal use is eligible for drug diversion programs for those who qualify, drug possession with intent to sell or traffic is considered ineligible for diversion.
Theft Crimes – Our Santa Monica criminal defense experience includes both felony and misdemeanor theft crimes of petty theft, grand theft, burglary, receiving stolen property, forgery, fraud, grand theft auto, and embezzlement. A theft crime conviction can result in consequences outside of the criminal court punishments as future employment prospects, and even citizenship can be negatively impacted. Whether you are being charged with a felony or a first-offense misdemeanor, a theft charge should not be taken lightly. Avoiding a theft-related conviction is possible through diversion programs or plea agreements to lesser non-theft offenses.
Sex Crimes – The legal defense of sex crimes is a very specialized area of criminal defense, and the consequences of an inexperienced defense can be permanently catastrophic. As former special prosecutors with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office’s Sex Crimes Special Prosecution Unit, Mr. Hanrahan and Mr. Sitkoff are among the very few criminal defense attorneys in Santa Monica with practical experience and background in sex crimes law to be considered actual experts in this complex area of criminal defense practice. We have successfully defended a wide range of sex offenses at LAX Courthouse ranging from child annoyance, child molestation, statutory rape, forcible rape, to sexual battery, indecent exposure, lewd act in public, prostitution, and internet sex crimes such as contacting a minor for the purposes of committing a lewd act and possession and distribution of child pornography.
Violent Crimes – Crimes involving violence, such as murder, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, or domestic violence, are prosecuted aggressively in Santa Monica. Physical contact or even injury is not a prerequisite for a violent crime either, as violent offenses such as criminal threats, stalking, and assault are examples of offenses that do not require physical contact nor injury. Furthermore, violent crimes such as domestic violence do not require the victim to press charges nor cooperate to result in an arrest and prosecution. With all of the complexities involved in violent crimes defense, it is critical that you consult with criminal defense attorneys with experience defending violent crimes and domestic violence in Santa Monica. A violent crime conviction can not only result in harsh penalties from the criminal court, but many freedoms and liberties can also be stripped from you, such as gun ownership rights, your right to vote, and citizenship.
Call For A Free Case Review With A Santa Monica Criminal Defense Attorney
We have specialized in criminal and DUI defense law exclusively for 30 years. Our track record of success is a product of our genuine commitment to securing only the best outcomes for our clients. If you have been arrested or are under investigation by Santa Monica PD, do not delay, and contact us now at (310) 861-6753 or toll-free at (888) 579-4844 for a free phone consultation to learn how we can help you.
