Brentwood Criminal Lawyer Offers Advice You Can Trust
Helping Brentwood residents navigate the California criminal justice system
If you or a loved one were arrested in Brentwood, you know you need a Brentwood criminal lawyer. But you may not realize that you should retain an attorney whose practice is focused on criminal law. At the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, defending people who have been arrested is not a sideline. It’s all we do.
Felonies
In Brentwood and throughout California, crimes are classified as felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are serious offenses that can be punished by more than a year in prison. Most violent crimes are felonies. Many felony crimes in California are what are known as “straight felonies” — meaning offenses that can be charged and sentenced only as felonies. Examples of straight felonies are murder, rape and sale of a controlled substance.
Other crimes are known as “wobblers,” which are offenses that may be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies depending on the circumstances. Common wobblers are possession of certain narcotics, statutory rape and spousal battery. Other wobblers include:
| • Burglary | • Lewd conduct with a Minor
• Aggravated Indecent Exposure |
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be charged with a first- or, second-degree offense. Second-degree offenses carry the least severe penalties, and first-degree crimes are the most serious. For example if you are charged with robbery in the first degree, you face a three-, six-, or nine-year prison sentence, but if you are charged with robbery in the second degree, you are looking at two, three or five years in prison. An experienced Brentwood criminal lawyer will work to get your charges reduced to a lower degree.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are punishable by no more than one year in jail. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, contact an experienced defense lawyer in Compton as quickly as possible. Examples of misdemeanor offenses include public intoxication, petty theft, DUI and possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana. Other common misdemeanors include:
| • Gambling
• Encouraging Prostitution • Assault and Battery |
• Domestic Violence
• Reckless driving |
Three Strikes Law
Under California’s three strikes law, individuals convicted of a third felony face 25 years to life in prison if the third conviction involves a “strike crime.” Offenses that qualify as strike crimes include:
| • Murder
• Mayhem • Rape • Sodomy by Force |
• Lewd or lascivious act on a child younger than 14
• Arson • Assault with intent to commit Rape or Robbery • First-Degree Burglary |
Skilled criminal law attorney defends clients in Van Nuys
The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi is dedicated to fighting aggressively for the rights of Brentwood residents who have been arrested. To schedule a free 20-minute initial consultation with a lawyer at our firm, contact us by phone at (310) 448-1529 today or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Our office is conveniently located in the Westside Towers in Los Angeles, within minutes of Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, and steps away from the Expo/Bundy Station. We have flexible hours and weekend appointments, and we will visit you in jail to discuss your case.