Criminal Law Attorneys in Los Angeles
What you should know about California law
Being charged with a crime—regardless of its severity—can change the course of your life forever. To protect your future and avoid seriously damaging your case, you must understand your rights, your responsibilities, and what actions the law requires from the police and the prosecution.
Your case benefits from the attention of a criminal law attorney in Los Angeles from the moment the police investigate or arrest you. Nevertheless, a basic knowledge of criminal law prevents you from revealing incriminating evidence before you can speak with a criminal lawyer.
Los Angeles criminal law
The police or another party, such as a store employee, can detain you while investigating a crime they may involve you. This does not mean you are under arrest. California law only requires you provide the following upon request:
- Your name
- Your address
- Proof of identification
Upon arrest, the police will inform you of your Miranda rights. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the following rights to adult citizens and non-citizens alike:
- You have the right to remain silent
- Anything you say may be used against you
- You have a right to have a lawyer present while you are questioned
- If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you
A Los Angeles criminal law attorney can ask the court to ignore everything you said to the police if they do not warn you of your rights when they arrest you. However, this does not apply to information you volunteer and the law only requires the police to inform you of your rights upon arrest. They may detain and question you without reading you your rights.
In the state of California, several parties have the power to arrest you. Anyone who sees someone attempting to commit or committing a misdemeanor can make a citizen’s arrest. They must witness the event, and a citizen's arrest only applies to crimes punishable by fines or short jail sentences.
If the arresting citizen views you committing a misdemeanor or suspects you committed a felony, the following people can also arrest you for breaking criminal laws:
- Police officers
- County sheriff officers
- Investigators in the district attorney's or attorney general’s office
- Highway patrol officers
- Probation or parole officers
Get help from criminal law attorneys in Los Angeles
Contact the firm and get information about California criminal laws. The knowledge and experience that the Los Angeles criminal law attorneys of Bradley S. Sandler offers can protect your future.
