Compton Criminal Defense Lawyer Offers Advice You Can Trust

Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, south of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton was incorporated on May 11, 1888, and is one of the oldest cities in the county.

The city of Compton was made famous worldwide by the rise of the popular rap group N.W.A. with the debut of their first album, Straight Outta Compton. Many rap artists’ careers started in Compton, including YG, Eazy-E, MC Ren, DJ Quik, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Tyga and Compton’s Most Wanted. The city of Compton is compromised of working class families and is home to a relatively young community, at an average 25 years of age, compared to the American median age of 35.

Helping Compton residents navigate the California criminal justice system

If you or a loved one were arrested in Compton, you know you need a Compton criminal defense 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 Compton 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
  • Assault with a deadly weapon
  • 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 Compton criminal defense attorney will work to get your charges reduced to a lower degree.

Follow the law. Professional lawyer sitting at the table and signing papers with justice statue standing on surface in forefront.

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 Los Angeles

To schedule a consultation with a lawyer at our firm, contact us 24 hours a day at (310) 448-1529 or contact us online. Our office is conveniently located in the Westside Towers in Los Angeles, within minutes of 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.