Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
When you are facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County, the attorney you choose determines what happens next. Rubin Law, P.C. provides aggressive, strategic defense across every category of criminal law — from first-time misdemeanors to serious felony charges and federal matters.
All Practice Areas
Criminal Defense Services — Los Angeles
Select your charge type below to learn about your specific situation, the laws involved, possible penalties, and how Rubin Law, P.C. can defend you.
DUI Defense
Alcohol DUI, DUI of drugs, marijuana DUI, repeat offenses, DUI with injury, and DMV license suspension hearings. We challenge breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, and the initial traffic stop.
DMV Hearings
A DUI arrest triggers an automatic DMV license suspension. You have only 10 days to request a hearing. We appear at DMV hearings to fight for your driving privileges independently of the criminal case.
Driving on a Suspended License
Charged with driving while your license is suspended or revoked? This carries separate criminal penalties on top of any underlying DUI case. We defend VC §14601 charges throughout LA County.
Traffic Crimes
Hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, street racing, and other serious traffic offenses that carry criminal — not just civil — consequences in California.
Hit and Run
Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in California — misdemeanor or felony depending on whether injury occurred. We defend hit and run charges aggressively throughout LA County.
Violent Crimes Defense
Assault, battery, robbery, carjacking, attempted murder, and all other violent felony charges. Violent crimes carry severe sentencing enhancements and Three Strikes implications throughout California.
Murder Defense
First-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted murder, and accessory to murder charges. These cases carry life sentences and require an attorney with real felony trial experience.
Assault
Simple assault, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to commit a felony, and assault on a public officer. We challenge the facts, intent, and use of force in every assault case.
Battery
Simple battery, battery causing serious bodily injury, battery on a police officer, and domestic battery. We fight to distinguish lawful contact from criminal conduct and challenge inflated charges.
Three Strikes Law
California's Three Strikes law can trigger mandatory sentences of 25 years to life for defendants with prior serious or violent felony convictions. We fight to avoid or strike prior strikes.
Domestic Violence Defense
Corporal injury to a spouse, domestic battery, criminal threats, violation of protective orders, and child abuse allegations. DV cases move fast — custody, housing, and firearm rights are immediately at stake.
Sex Crimes Defense
Sexual battery, rape, statutory rape, lewd acts, internet sex crimes, and PC §290 sex offender registration requirements. False allegations are common. We defend these cases with discretion and aggression.
Juvenile Crimes
Minors charged with crimes in Los Angeles face the juvenile justice system — a separate process with different rules, timelines, and outcomes. We fight to keep juvenile records sealed and avoid adult prosecution.
Federal Crimes Defense
Federal investigations are methodical and well-resourced. We represent clients from the earliest stage — before charges are filed — through grand jury proceedings and federal trial. Fraud, RICO, trafficking, money laundering.
Tax Fraud
Federal and state tax fraud, tax evasion, failure to file, and fraudulent return charges. Tax crimes carry both criminal penalties and civil consequences. We work alongside tax professionals to build the strongest defense.
Cyber Crimes
Computer fraud, unauthorized access, identity theft, online solicitation, and internet-based sex crimes. Digital evidence is complex — we work with forensic experts to challenge how it was obtained and interpreted.
Felony Defense
Any felony conviction carries lasting consequences — prison, fines, lost voting rights, lost gun rights, immigration consequences, and a permanent record. We fight felony charges at every stage of the process.
Misdemeanor Defense
Misdemeanors may feel minor but they carry real consequences — jail time, fines, probation, and a criminal record that shows up on background checks. We fight misdemeanors as aggressively as felonies.
Probation Violation
Violating probation — even technically — can result in immediate custody and revocation of the original plea deal. We appear at probation violation hearings to fight reinstatement and avoid incarceration.
Warrants
Outstanding arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants. We help clients resolve warrants proactively — often appearing in court on your behalf to recall the warrant without you being taken into custody.
Prefile Intervention
Before charges are formally filed, there is a window to intervene with the DA's office directly. We present evidence, context, and legal arguments that can result in reduced charges — or no charges at all.
Mental Health Defense
PC §1001.36 Mental Health Diversion, 5250 hearings, mental health courts, and treatment-based alternatives to incarceration. We fight for outcomes that address the root cause rather than just punishing it.
What to Expect
How a Criminal Case Moves Through Los Angeles Courts
Every criminal case in Los Angeles County follows a defined legal process. Understanding what happens — and when — is the first step to building an effective defense.
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Arrest & Booking
After an arrest, you are transported to a local police station or county jail for booking — fingerprinting, photographs, and processing. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Exercise both immediately. Do not answer questions beyond your name.
- 2
Arraignment
Your first court appearance, typically within 48–72 hours of arrest for in-custody defendants (PC §825). The judge reads the formal charges, enters your plea, and sets bail. This is where having an attorney already in place matters most — bail amounts can be challenged here.
- 3
Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury
For felony cases, a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. This is one of the most important stages for challenging weak evidence and forcing the prosecution to show their hand early.
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Pre-Trial Motions
Before trial, we file critical motions including PC §1538.5 motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, Pitchess motions to access officer misconduct records, and motions to dismiss charges where the evidence is insufficient. These motions frequently change the outcome of a case entirely.
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Plea Negotiations
Most criminal cases in Los Angeles are resolved through negotiated pleas rather than trial. We negotiate from a position of strength — having already challenged the evidence and demonstrated our willingness to go to trial. The outcome of negotiations depends heavily on the work done in stages 2–4.
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Trial
If the case cannot be resolved on terms that are in your best interest, we go to trial. Rubin Law, P.C. prepares every case as if it is trial-bound from day one — giving us genuine leverage in negotiations and genuine readiness if it comes to a jury.
- 7
Sentencing & Post-Conviction
If convicted, sentencing follows trial or a guilty plea. We advocate for the most favorable sentence possible and explore all post-conviction options — appeals, motions for new trial, PC §1203.4 expungement, and record sealing — to minimize long-term consequences.
Why Choose Rubin Law
Why Los Angeles Defendants Choose Rubin Law, P.C.
Daily LA County Court Presence
We appear regularly at every major courthouse in Los Angeles County — Clara Shortridge Foltz, Van Nuys, Airport, Metropolitan, Compton, Inglewood, Beverly Hills, and more. We know the prosecutors, the procedures, and the environment.
Constitutional Challenges
We aggressively file PC §1538.5 motions to suppress evidence obtained through illegal stops, unlawful searches, and defective warrants. When law enforcement cuts corners, we use it to your advantage.
Prefile & Diversion Focus
We intervene early — before charges are filed, before arraignment — to negotiate with prosecutors directly. Many of our best outcomes happen before a case ever officially begins.
Trial-Ready Every Time
Prosecutors know who will actually go to trial. We prepare every single case as if a jury will decide it — giving us maximum leverage and maximum readiness if negotiations fail.
Where We Appear
Los Angeles Courts We Appear In
Rubin Law, P.C. represents clients in every criminal courthouse in Los Angeles County. Knowing how individual courtrooms operate — which judges prefer which arguments, how specific prosecutors approach plea negotiations, what procedural timelines apply — gives our clients a concrete advantage.
Each courthouse below handles different geographic areas and case types. Clicking through will give you specific information about what to expect if your case is being heard there.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions — Criminal Defense in Los Angeles
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in California?
In California, misdemeanors are less serious offenses punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines up to $1,000. Felonies are more serious crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison. Some crimes are "wobblers" — they can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts and the prosecutor's discretion. An experienced defense attorney can sometimes negotiate a felony wobbler down to a misdemeanor, significantly reducing the consequences.
How soon after an arrest should I contact a criminal defense attorney?
Immediately. The hours after an arrest are the most critical in your entire case. Evidence is collected, statements are taken, and decisions are made that cannot be undone. The sooner Rubin Law, P.C. is retained, the more we can do — including preserving evidence, advising you on what to say (and not say), and potentially intervening before charges are even filed.
Can criminal charges be dropped before arraignment in Los Angeles?
Yes — and this is one of the most valuable opportunities in the entire criminal process. Through prefile intervention, we can contact the DA's office directly before your arraignment and present evidence, legal arguments, or mitigating context that may result in reduced or dismissed charges. Once arraignment occurs, this window narrows significantly.
What happens at an arraignment in Los Angeles?
An arraignment is your first formal court appearance. The judge reads the charges against you, you enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest), and bail is addressed. For in-custody defendants, this must happen within 48–72 hours of arrest under PC §825. Having an attorney at arraignment allows us to challenge bail amounts, enter a strategic plea, and gather early case information.
What is a PC §1538.5 motion to suppress evidence?
A PC §1538.5 motion challenges evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure. If police stopped your vehicle without reasonable suspicion, searched your home without a valid warrant, or obtained evidence through other unconstitutional means, we can move to have that evidence suppressed — excluded from trial. When key evidence is suppressed, charges are often reduced or dismissed entirely.
How does bail work in Los Angeles County?
Bail is a financial guarantee that you will appear in court. Bail amounts are set at arraignment based on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. LA County has a bail schedule with default amounts, but judges have discretion to raise, lower, or eliminate bail. We argue for the lowest possible bail — or release on your own recognizance (OR release) — at your arraignment.
Can a conviction be expunged from my record in California?
Many — but not all — convictions can be expunged under PC §1203.4. Expungement is available for most misdemeanors and certain felonies if you successfully completed probation. It allows you to withdraw your guilty plea and have the case dismissed, which significantly helps with employment and housing applications. We can evaluate your eligibility during a free consultation.
What is the Three Strikes law in California, and does it apply to my case?
California's Three Strikes law (PC §667) mandates doubled sentences for defendants with one prior "strike" conviction and 25 years to life for defendants with two or more prior strikes who are convicted of any new felony. Many serious and violent felonies qualify as strikes. If you have prior strike convictions, the charge you face now carries far greater consequences — which makes the quality of your defense even more critical.
Where We Practice
Criminal Defense Throughout Los Angeles County
Rubin Law, P.C. defends clients facing criminal charges in every city and community in Los Angeles County. Wherever your case is being heard, we can help.