Certified Criminal Law Specialist And West La Petty Theft Shoplifting Defense Attorneys
If you have been recently cited or arrested for petty theft shoplifting in West Los Angeles, you are likely nervous and anxious about your upcoming court date at LAX Court. Whether it is your first shoplifting offense or not, it is important that you seek legal counsel immediately to prepare you for what lies ahead. The impact of a theft related conviction carries consequences that reach beyond the immediate penalties, such as negatively impacting your future employment prospects, current or future professional licensing, or citizenship eligibility. It is important for you to know that these consequences can be mitigated by an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Since 1987, the West LA criminal defense lawyers at Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP have successfully defended individuals like yourself in a wide range of theft related cases, including petty and grand theft shoplifting, embezzlement , 2nd degree burglary, identity theft, and forgery . Call now at (888) 579-4844 for a free consultation to review your case and your options.
Our Petty Theft Defense Approach
As former West Los Angeles prosecutors and law enforcement instructors with over 60 years of combined experience, the petty theft lawyers at Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP provide a unique insight and advantage to every petty theft case they defend. Whether it is attacking a specific element of PC 484 – Petty Theft and PC 459.5 – Shoplifting, or utilizing their relationships with prosecutors and judges in LAX Court to negotiate plea agreements to lesser offenses, our criminal defense firm is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients. In order to accomplish this, we thoroughly investigate all of the evidence against you to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as the following:
- The property allegedly stolen was actually yours
- You did not intend to permanently deprive the owner of the property
- There is no evidence that you took nor ever possessed the allegedly stolen property, other than the accuser’s word
Alternatively, if your case involves strong evidence, such as your confession to the crime, video or audio evidence, and reliable witness testimony, a dismissal or reduction of charges can still be attained if you have no criminal record through either by way of Civil Compromise under 1377 and 1378 of the California Penal Code or Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ).
Airport Court
If your petty theft or shoplifting offense took place in West Los Angeles, your notice to appear will likely order you to appear at the LAX aka Airport Courthouse for your arraignment hearing. Located at 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles 90045, this court serves as the jurisdictional court for all criminal matters arising out of the “Westside” of Los Angeles County. There are 3 independent prosecutorial agencies within the Airport Courthouse and the agency which assumes the prosecution of your case is determined by the city you were arrested in and/or the charge level (felony or misdemeanor). The 3 agencies are:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – (310) 727-6500
Prosecutes all felonies committed in West LA and misdemeanors committed in all westside cities with the exception of LA city and Santa Monica - Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office – (310) 202-3800
Only prosecutes misdemeanor crimes committed in the city of Los Angeles - Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office – (310) 725-0960
Only prosecutes misdemeanor crimes committed in the city of Santa Monica
Why Retain Our West LA Criminal Defense Firm?
Whether you are facing a first offense misdemeanor shoplifting or worse, PC 666 – petty theft with prior, you can rest assured that as a client of our firm, you will receive first class legal representation and a genuine commitment to the successful resolution of your case. Unlike many other Los Angeles area criminal defense firms, clients of our firm will be represented by a managing partner, either Eugene Hanrahan or Stephen Sitkoff, not an inexperienced associate or contract lawyer. Please call us now at (310) 312-8055 for a free no-obligation consultation to review the facts of your case and each of your potential outcomes.
Bel Air, Beverly Crest, Beverly Grove, Beverly Hills, Beverlywood, Brentwood, Century City, Cheviot Hills, Crestview, Culver City, Del Rey, Fairfax District, Ladera Heights, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Mid-Wilshire, Pacific Palisades, Palms, Pico Robertson, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Rancho Park, Santa Monica, Sawtelle, Venice, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Westchester, Westwood
