Venice Criminal Lawyer Offers Advice You Can Trust
Venice, originally called “Venice of America,” was founded in 1905 as a seaside resort town by millionaire Abbot Kenny. Venice was an independent city until 1926, when it merged with the City of Los Angeles. Today, Venice is known for its canals, beaches, and the circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half-mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, mystics, artists and vendors.
Helping Venice residents navigate the California criminal justice system
If you or a loved one is arrested, you know you need a lawyer. But you may not realize that you should retain a Venice criminal lawyer whose practice is focused on criminal law. At the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, defending people who have been arrested is not a side job. It’s all we do.
Felonies
In Venice 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:
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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 Venice criminal defense attorney 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 Venice 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:
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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:
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Skilled criminal law attorney defends clients in Los Angeles
The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi is dedicated to fighting aggressively for the rights of Venice residents who have been arrested. To schedule a consultation with a lawyer at our firm, contact us by phone at (310) 448-1529 or contact us online. We promptly return phone calls and emails. 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.