Criminal and DUI Defense Attorneys In Hermosa Beach, California
Former Torrance Court prosecutors, Eugene Hanrahan and Stephen Sitkoff have over 3 decades of experience defending clients arrested in Hermosa Beach. Widely recognized as the premier criminal defense firm in the Los Angeles South Bay, our lawyers have successfully defended criminal charges ranging from minor infractions to misdemeanor and felony offenses, including drunk driving, sex crimes, theft crimes, drug crimes, domestic violence charges, as well as juvenile crimes. Whether you’re a first offender facing a misdemeanor offense or multiple offender facing felony charges, we have the courtroom experience and legal expertise to ensure you receive the best legal defense. Call (424) 757-0865 now for a FREE case review at our South Bay office located in the city of Torrance.
Over 70 Years Of Combined Criminal Defense Experience In Hermosa Beach
Although Hermosa Beach boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the South Bay, the city’s police department does make its fair share of criminal arrests. The following are the most common criminal offenses in Hermosa Beach:
DUI
Generally charged as a misdemeanor offense under California Vehicle Code statute 23152, drunk driving is the most common criminal offense in the Hermosa Beach area. While most DUIs are misdemeanor crimes, there are circumstances that could cause a drunk driving charge to be elevated to a felony DUI under VC 23153.
Drug Crimes
Drug-related charges can range from misdemeanor simple possession of controlled substances and/or prescription drugs to serious felony drug charges, such as possession with the intent to sell, and transportation or manufacturing with intent to sell. Depending on which drug offense you’re charged with and your prior criminal record, you may qualify for a drug diversion program which would result in a complete dismissal of your drug charges.
Theft And Shoplifting
Theft covers a broad category of crimes and in Hermosa Beach, the majority of theft-related crimes involve retail thefts, such as petty theft, grand theft, and shoplifting. How the theft was committed, the amount taken, and whether you have prior theft related convictions on your criminal record will influence whether you’re charged with a misdemeanor or felony theft, as well as the severity of your punishment. Like misdemeanor drug possession, misdemeanor shoplifting and petty theft charges can be dismissed through diversionary sentences negotiated by your criminal defense lawyer.
Sex Crimes
Sex offenses carry some of the harshest penalties in California and many mandate lifetime sex offender registration as a consequence for a conviction. Sex crimes such as child annoyance, child molestation, statutory rape, forcible rape, sexual battery, indecent exposure, lewd act in public, and possession/distribution of child pornography are some of the Hermosa Beach sex offenses we have successfully defended. As former special prosecutors in the LA County Sex Crimes and serious felony special prosecution units, Mr. Hanrahan and Mr. Sitkoff have a unique insight into the investigative and prosecutorial procedures involved in sex crime prosecution.
Domestic Violence
If you are arrested for an alleged violent crime committed upon a person protected under California domestic violence laws, you face several mandatory punishments which carry many long term collateral consequences. Domestic violence arrests are commonly made, often at felony level, even when there is no evidence of physical contact, injury, nor cooperation from the victim. As California wobbler offenses, domestic violence charges are can be prosecuted as either felony or misdemeanor crimes. Therefore, the penalty range can vary between informal probation and anger management to imprisonment in county jail or state prison.
Call Our Hermosa Beach Defense Attorneys For A Free Consultation
When you retain Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP, you will be represented by a former senior prosecutor with over 3 decades of trial experience. If you have been arrested in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, or Redondo Beach, please call us at (424) 757-0865 for a free no-obligation consultation.
