Leah Legal: Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer

We handle all types of DUI and vehicular crimes, including the following:

DUI

You should not operate a vehicle when your blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.08%. For drivers under 21 years old, the legal limit is even lower at 0.01%.

A DUI conviction can result in fines, license suspension or revocation, mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs, and even jail time.

Repeat DUI offenders, or those with aggravated circumstances such as causing an accident or having a very high BAC could face even harsher penalties.

Vehicular Manslaughter

The prosecutor will charge the offense of vehicular manslaughter as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the unique facts of your case.

If someone dies because of your drunk driving, you could face DUI vehicular manslaughter charges, which carry a state prison penalty of up to ten years.

If you operate your vehicle with gross negligence or commit another significant traffic infraction that leads to death, you could face charges for gross vehicular manslaughter, which carries a possible state prison sentence of up to ten years.

Hit and Run

Another major crime is hit-and-run.

If you are in a collision, you must stop and exchange information with the other driver or report the accident to the police.

If you leave the scene of an accident without stopping or reporting it, you could face charges of hit-and-run, which can result in penalties, license suspension or revocation, and possibly jail time, depending on the circumstances.

Under California law, assault and battery are two distinct crimes with different legal definitions and penalties.

Assault is an attempt to commit a violent injury to another person. You must attempt with the present ability to cause harm or injury, and the victim must have a reasonable belief that they are in danger of suffering harm or damage. Assault can also occur when a person intentionally causes someone else to fear an imminent harmful or offensive contact.

Battery, on the other hand, is defined as any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon another person. This crime includes any physical contact that is harmful or offensive, such as hitting, pushing, or slapping.

Usually, assault is a misdemeanor offense in California. Perhaps you are wondering about the charges that an assault offense attracts. You could face a jail sentence of up to six months in county jail. The court could also impose a $1,000 fine. However, if you commit assault with a deadly weapon, or if the victim is a peace officer or other protected individual, the charge could be elevated to a felony, carrying much steeper penalties.

The prosecutor is likely to charge a battery offense as a misdemeanor. If your crime is a misdemeanor, it comes with penalties of up to 6 months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine. However, if the battery causes serious bodily injury or is against a protected individual, the charge could be elevated to a felony, carrying more severe consequences.

Domestic violence is a serious crime. It includes a range of abusive behaviors between people who have or have had a domestic relationship, including spouses, cohabitants, parents, children, and dating partners.

Under California law, domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, or economic abuse, and it can take many forms, including hitting, choking, slapping, stalking, harassing, and controlling behavior.

You could face severe penalties when you commit a domestic violence crime, depending on the circumstances of the occurrence and the defendant's criminal past. Domestic abuse, in general, can be a misdemeanor or a felony, with hefty fines, imprisonment or a prison term, and other serious repercussions.

Domestic violence victims could seek protective orders, also known as restraining orders, in addition to criminal charges to help keep them safe from further assault. A protective order is a legal document that forbids the abuser from contacting or approaching the victim or any of their family members. It also requires the abuser to leave the home he/she shares with the victim.

The possession, sale, transportation, and synthesis of restricted substances are all examples of drug offenses. The courts and law enforcement treat these offenses very seriously, and the punishments for drug offenses can be harsh.

Drug offenses in California are grouped into several categories according to the type of drug involved, the amount involved, and the accused's intention.

Possession of controlled substances is one of the most common drug crimes. You could face misdemeanor or felony charges for possessing a controlled substance. Whether you face felony or misdemeanor charges will depend on the circumstances of the offense, the type of substance involved, and the defendant's prior history.

Fines, probation, community service, and even jail time can be imposed for drug possession.

Drug trafficking and distribution, which involves selling or transporting controlled substances, is a serious crime. The penalties for drug trafficking and distribution can be severe, including lengthy prison sentences, significant fines, and other consequences.

Manufacturing or cultivating controlled substances, such as methamphetamine or marijuana, is illegal. These offenses can carry heavy penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and significant fines.

Theft crimes entail taking another person's belongings or property without their permission and can include robbery, burglary, grand theft, petty theft, and embezzlement. The punishment for theft offenses varies based on the value of the stolen property and the circumstances of the incident.

If you are facing theft charges, it is essential to consult with our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Leah Legal: Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer, who can help you understand your legal options and represent your interests in court.

Under California law, fraud is intentionally deceiving another person or entity for personal gain. There are several different types of fraud crimes recognized under California law, including:

• False pretenses involve obtaining property or money by making false representations or promises. For example, if someone sells a car to another person while knowingly concealing that the vehicle has a major mechanical problem, that could be considered fraud.
• Forgery involves creating or altering a document or signature to defraud another person. Examples of forgery include forging a check or altering a contract.
• Identity theft involves using someone else's personal identifying information without their consent for financial gain. For example, if someone uses another person's social security number to obtain credit cards or loans, that could be considered identity theft.
• Insurance fraud involves making false claims or statements to an insurance company to receive benefits or payments to which one is not entitled. For example, if someone fakes an injury to receive workers' compensation benefits, that could be considered insurance fraud.
• Securities Fraud involves making false statements or engaging in deceptive practices concerning the sale or purchase of securities. For example, if a stockbroker misrepresents a company's financial health to encourage someone to invest, that could be considered securities fraud.

These are just a few examples of fraud crimes recognized under California law. If someone is found guilty of fraud, they could face severe penalties that include fines, restitution, and even jail.

Under California law, several gun offenses can result in criminal charges. Some of the most common include:

• Possession of a firearm by a felon — It is illegal for anyone convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm.
• Possession of an unregistered firearm — Certain types of guns, like assault weapons, must be registered within California. Possession of an unregistered firearm can result in criminal charges.
• Carrying a concealed weapon on your person or vehicle without a valid permit is illegal.
• Brandishing a weapon — Drawing or exhibiting a firearm in a rude, angry, or threatening manner is illegal.
• Assault with a deadly weapon — If a perpetrator uses a firearm to commit an assault, the culprit could face assault with deadly weapon charges.
• Shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle — Shooting at an occupied building or vehicle is a severe offense and can result in criminal charges.
• Illegal sale or transfer of a firearm — It is unlawful to sell or transfer a firearm to someone prohibited from possessing one, for example, a convicted felon.

The penalty for these violations vary based on the facts of the case, but they can include fines, jail, and the loss of future access to firearms.

The committing of a crime by someone under the age of 18 is referred to as juvenile delinquency. The juvenile justice system in the state emphasizes rehabilitation instead of punishment, with the goal of providing young offenders with the resources and support they require to turn their lives around.

Some of the most common types of juvenile offenses include:

• Drug offenses, including possession, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs
• Property crimes like theft, vandalism, or burglary.
• Assault and battery, which includes physical altercations or fights, or other violent behavior
• Sex offenses, including sexual assault, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior
• Gang-related crimes, which include participation in gang-related activities, such as tagging or drug sales

If a child faces allegations of a crime, they usually face a series of hearings in the juvenile justice system. Depending on the seriousness of the offense and the child's previous criminal record, they could face various penalties, including probation, community service, restitution, or detention in a center for juvenile offenders.

It is important to note that in some cases, minors can face charges as adults for certain offenses. For example, this could happen if the youth is 16 or 17 years old and has committed a serious crime, like murder or sexual assault. In some circumstances, the youngster will face the same criminal consequences as an adult, including state prison time.

At Leah Legal: Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer, we also handle the following crimes:

• Property crimes include trespass, arson, vandalism, and damaging utility lines.
• Violent crimes are defined under the California Penal Code 667.5. Violent crimes include certain first and second-degree felonies. In addition, a violent crime is any offense that causes serious bodily injury or a threat of severe physical harm. Violent crimes also include crimes committed with a deadly weapon.
• White-collar crimes are non-violent offenses usually perpetrated by professionals. You can commit several white-collar crimes under California law. The common ones include embezzlement, extortion, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, and money laundering.
• Sex Crimes include statutory rape, lewd conduct, prostitution, sexual battery, and child enticement.