West Covina Criminal And DUI Defense Attorneys
For 3 decades, our West Covina criminal and DUI defense lawyers have earned reputations as the preeminent criminal defense attorneys in the West Covina area. Both Eugene Hanrahan and Stephen Sitkoff have each practiced law for over 30 years and as former West Covina Court prosecutors and law enforcement instructors. Mr. Hanrahan and Mr. Sitkoff possess an insight and expertise in the area of criminal defense practice that many other West Covina criminal defense attorneys can not match. Our firm’s areas of defense practice range from minor infractions to serious misdemeanor and felony offenses, such as drunk driving charges, sex crimes, theft charges, drug crimes, domestic violence charges, as well as juvenile crimes. Call now at (626) 628-9185 or toll free (888) 579-4844 for a free consultation.
Why Hire Our West Covina Criminal And DUI Defense Firm?
- Mr. Hanrahan and Mr. Sitkoff have each practiced law for over 3 decades and are former senior deputy district attorneys who previously prosecuted cases for the DA’s office out of the West Covina Courthouse.
- Managing Partner Eugene Hanrahan is a former senior prosecutor with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Managing Partner Stephen Sitkoff is a former senior prosecutor with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and former Superior Court Commissioner
- Clients who retain our firm will be represented by West Covina criminal defense attorneys Mr. Hanrahan or Mr. Sitkoff, not an associate or contract attorney
Our expertise includes, but are not limited to, the following:
DUI – Drunk driving charges are considered one of the most common criminal offense in the West Covina Court and are typically prosecuted as misdemeanors unless aggravating circumstances are present in the case, such as your prior record of DUI convictions and/or if your DUI arrest involved an accident resulting in injury or death to another. Both Mr. Hanrahan and Mr. Sitkoff prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony DUIs during their time as prosecutors. In addition to their experience as former prosecutors, they previously educated law enforcement personnel on breath testing compliance and rules of evidence collection.
Drug Crimes – Drug-related charges can range from simple possession of controlled substances and/or prescription drugs, to more serious offenses, such as possession or transportation with intent to sell, and cultivation or manufacturing with intent to sell. Our commitment to our clients extends beyond just preserving their freedoms and liberties. We routinely work with our clients towards locating reputable drug rehabilitation programs, so that they can get the rehabilitative treatment they need. Our experience as former senior prosecutors gives us a unique advantage and insight into law enforcement investigative tactics and procedures as well. This, combined with our expert knowledge of the rules of evidence and criminal procedure, ensures flaws and factual weaknesses in the prosecution’s case will be identified and used to our clients’ advantage in trial or plea negotiations.
Theft Crimes – The crime of theft is very broad and includes a number of different California Penal Code statutes. Which specific theft crime you are charged with, as well as its charge level largely depends on the method employed to commit the theft, amount of the theft, and whether you have a prior record of theft-related convictions. A theft crime can be shoplifting, petty theft, grand theft, commercial and residential burglary, receiving stolen property, fraud, forgery, embezzlement, and grand theft auto. Regardless of whether you are facing a first offense or you have an extensive criminal history, our goal will always be to resolve your case at the lowest possible level through either a reduced penalty, plea agreement to lesser non-theft related offenses, or complete dismissal through diversionary sentences.
Sex Crimes – Both Mr. Hanrahan and Mr. Sitkoff, while employed with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, were assigned to the elite sex crimes special prosecution unit. Their unique experience and expertise enables them to utilize this rare insight into law enforcement’s investigative procedures in investigations involving child annoyance, child molestation , statutory rape , forcible rape, sexual battery, indecent exposure , lewd act in public, as well as high tech sex crimes such as contacting a minor for the purposes of committing a lewd act and possession/distribution of child pornography. The consequences of a sex crime conviction go beyond long state prison sentences and fines. A conviction could mean registering as a sex offender under California Penal Code 290 for the rest of your life.
Violent Crimes – Examples of violent crimes include murder, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and domestic violence to name a few. Whereas, you can also be charged with a violent crime even if the act does not involve actual physical contact or even injury. For example, criminal threats, stalking and assault are a few violent offenses that do not require physical contact nor injury between you and the victim. In addition to resulting in a criminal record, a violent conviction can jeopardize gun ownership rights, citizenship, professional licensing, and future employment.
Prefile Investigations — In some criminal cases where the evidence is insufficient at the time of initial reporting to police, the case would be assigned to a detective for further investigation, also known as a prefile investigation. This phase represents the first stage in the criminal procedural process and involves the assigned detective(s) interviewing witnesses, interrogating “targets” or suspects, freezing bank accounts, executing search warrants, and/or engaging in surveillance operations. The following are a few of the criminal offenses that are most commonly investigated prefile:
- VC 20001/VC 20002- Hit & Run with Injury and/or property damage
- PC 273.5(a)/PC 243(e)1- Spousal Abuse or Domestic Battery
- PC 288(a) – Lewd Act With a Minor Under 14 years old
- PC 503 – Embezzlement
- HS 11351 – Possession with Intent to Sell Narcotics
- PC 242 – Battery
- PC 459 – Residential Burglary
- PC 548(a)- Insurance Fraud
Call Our West Covina Criminal Defense Attorneys For A Free Case Review
We recognize there are thousands of West criminal defense attorneys for you to choose from, however, there are very few who can match the experience and expertise we bring to every single one of our West Covina Court cases. Whether it is a serious felony or a DMV license suspension hearing, our approach and preparation remain unchanged. We believe in an honest and transparent attorney-client relationship, and partner with our clients to achieve the common goals we set together from the moment the decision is made to retain our services. Therefore, unlike many other criminal defense firms, you will not have a different attorney appearing at each of your court dates, you will know who your attorney is and you will have direct communication with him. Most importantly, when you retain Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP, you will be represented by either Eugene Hanrahan or Stephen Sitkoff, not a less experienced associate or inexperienced contract lawyer.
If you have been arrested in West Covina, Glendora, Baldwin Park, Rowland Heights, Azusa, Covina, or Claremont, please contact us at (626) 628-9185 or toll free at (888) 579-4844 for your free no-obligation consultation. We are available 24/7 with an office conveniently located at 100 N. Barranca, in the city of West Covina.
