At Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers, our Los Angeles felony lawyer defends clients facing the most serious criminal charges in California. Felony charges carry life-altering consequences, including state prison time, permanent criminal records, and the loss of civil rights. In 2024, California recorded over 1,666 homicides, and violent felony arrests increased by 2.9% statewide.
Los Angeles saw a 14% reduction in homicides in 2024, but prosecutors remain aggressive in pursuing felony convictions. California ranks 6th nationally for violent crime rates, with 486 offenses per 100,000 people. A felony conviction can result in state prison sentences ranging from 16 months to life. Our experienced criminal defense attorney fights to protect your freedom and future from these serious consequences.
We bring more than 30 years of combined Los Angeles criminal defense experience to every case we handle. Our criminal defense attorneys investigate every detail, challenge the prosecution's evidence, and protect your constitutional rights. We appear in state and federal courts throughout Los Angeles County and understand how the criminal justice system operates at each courthouse.
Every criminal defense case deserves a personalized strategy built around its unique facts. Our criminal defense law firm includes a former prosecutor who understands how the other side thinks. Early intervention can significantly change case outcomes, which is why we encourage immediate contact after an arrest.
Our law firm has a proven track record of favorable verdicts and negotiated settlements. We have secured not-guilty verdicts in cases where clients faced decades in prison. Call us today at (310) 557-1700 for a free consultation available 24/7.
California criminal law organizes offenses by their severity. Felonies sit at the top as the most serious classification under the California penal code. Understanding the difference between straight felonies and wobbler offenses helps you grasp what you face in the legal system.
A felony crime is any criminal offense punishable by more than one year in state prison. Misdemeanors, by contrast, carry maximum sentences of one year in county jail. This distinction shapes everything about how the criminal justice system handles your case.
California law recognizes two types of felonies: straight felonies and wobblers. Straight felonies can only be charged as felonies, while wobbler offenses can be filed as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The prosecutor makes this decision based on the facts and your criminal history.
Felony sentencing typically includes lower, middle, and upper terms. Aggravating factors increase sentences, while mitigating factors can reduce them. Many felonies carry default sentences of 16, 24, or 36 months in state prison.
California law creates important distinctions between serious felonies and violent crimes. Penal Code 667.5(c) defines violent felonies, while Penal Code 1192.7(c) covers serious felonies. All violent felonies qualify as serious felonies, but not all serious felonies count as violent.
Violent felony convictions limit your "good time" credits to just 15%. This means you serve far more of your actual sentence behind bars. Examples of violent felonies include murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping.
Serious felonies that are not classified as violent include first-degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, and vehicular manslaughter. These distinctions matter greatly for sentencing and future serious consequences under California's Three Strikes Law. A skilled attorney can help you understand which category your charges fall into.
Our criminal law practice areas span a wide range of felony criminal charges. Each type of criminal offense requires specialized defense knowledge and strategies. Our criminal defense team handles cases across all felony categories in Los Angeles criminal courts.
Attempted murder under California penal code sections 664 and 187 ranks among the most serious felonies. Sentencing ranges from 5, 7, or 9 years in state prison. Cases with special circumstances can result in life imprisonment, making skilled legal representation essential.
Our legal defense strategies for violent crimes include challenging the element of intent. We investigate claims of mistaken identity and assert self-defense when facts support it. Proving premeditation is difficult for prosecutors, and we attack weak evidence at every opportunity to create reasonable doubt.
We also defend clients against other violent crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, and carjacking. Each charge requires a tailored approach based on the specific facts. Our goal is always to get your case dismissed or secure a not guilty verdict at trial.
Domestic violence becomes a felony under Penal Code 273.5 when corporal injury occurs. Felony charges arise when the victim suffers great bodily injury, the defendant used a weapon, or prior convictions exist. Domestic violence cases carry serious consequences that extend far beyond prison time.
A domestic violence felony conviction triggers a lifetime firearms ban. Courts typically issue restraining orders that affect housing and contact with family. Child custody arrangements suffer, and your probation officer will monitor your compliance for years.
We build strong defenses against domestic violence cases by examining the evidence carefully. False accusations occur frequently in these emotionally charged situations. Our Los Angeles criminal attorney team also asserts self-defense and challenges the prosecution's evidence of injury in every domestic violence case.
Felony drug crimes include possession for sale, manufacturing, and trafficking. The federal government prosecutes many drug trafficking cases in federal courts, adding another layer of complexity. Federal courts impose harsh mandatory minimum sentences that exceed California law penalties.
The quantity of drugs and evidence of intent determine charge severity. Health & Safety Code violations carry penalties ranging from probation to decades in prison. Our defense strategies include challenging illegal searches and seizures, proving entrapment by an undercover officer, and demonstrating a lack of knowledge.
Drug crimes defense requires understanding both state and federal prosecution tactics. We know how to navigate cases in state and federal courts effectively. Our criminal defense lawyers fight to reduce charges or have cases dismissed.
Grand theft becomes a felony in California when the value exceeds $950. Petty theft can escalate to felony charges with prior theft crimes on your criminal record. White collar crimes like embezzlement, fraud, and identity theft are often charged as felonies based on the amounts involved.
Receiving stolen property is another theft offense that prosecutors aggressively pursue. Enhanced penalties apply when victims are elderly or vulnerable. Professional licenses can be revoked, and courts can order substantial restitution payments that can financially devastate defendants.
We build defenses that challenge valuation evidence and prove a lack of intent. Many white collar crimes cases involve complex financial records that require careful analysis. Our defense attorneys examine every transaction to find weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence.
Sex crimes such as rape, sexual assault, and child molestation carry the most severe penalties in California law. Sex crime charges demand immediate attention from an experienced criminal defense attorney. A sex crime conviction triggers mandatory sex offender registration that can last a lifetime.
Registered sex offenders appear in public databases accessible to anyone. Residency restrictions limit where you can live, and employment barriers make finding work extremely difficult. Sex crime cases require aggressive defense because the stakes could not be higher.
We handle all types of sex crime cases with the discretion and skill they demand. Our Los Angeles criminal defense team understands how to challenge witness credibility and forensic evidence. The goal in every case is to avoid a sex crime conviction and protect your future.
Effective felony defense requires specialized knowledge across multiple areas of criminal law. Different criminal charges demand different approaches and strategies. Our criminal defense team brings deep experience to every case we handle.
The Fourth Amendment protects you against unlawful search and seizure. When police commit police misconduct or violate these rights, we file motions to suppress improperly obtained evidence. Legal errors by law enforcement can result in key evidence being thrown out of your criminal case.
We review all body camera footage and surveillance recordings for violations. Chain-of-custody issues with physical evidence create opportunities to challenge the prosecution's case. Forensic evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, and ballistics must meet strict scientific standards or be excluded.
Our criminal defense attorneys know how to expose police misconduct that taints cases. Prosecutors cannot use evidence obtained through illegal means to prove you guilty. These challenges can result in reduced charges or dismissal of your case.
The Fifth Amendment protects your right against self-incrimination under California law. Police must inform you of your Miranda rights before custodial questioning. Violations of these legal rights can make confessions inadmissible in criminal courts.
Your Sixth Amendment rights guarantee counsel and the right to confront witnesses against you. Many defendants receive inadequate help from the public defender's office due to overwhelming caseloads. Private legal representation ensures your rights remain protected throughout the criminal court process.
Early attorney involvement prevents mistakes that can hurt your case later. We advise clients on how to interact with police and prosecutors. Your legal rights matter, and our criminal defense law firm fights to enforce them at every stage.
A plea deal can sometimes offer the best outcome when evidence presents challenges. We negotiate to reduce wobbler offenses from felony to misdemeanor status whenever possible. These negotiations require skill and knowledge of local prosecutors and how the criminal justice system works.
Not every case should go to trial, and not every client should plead guilty. We evaluate whether to pursue a not-guilty verdict or negotiate a favorable plea agreement. Our advice depends on the strength of evidence and your goals for the case.
Alternative sentencing options can help you avoid prison entirely. Mental health diversion under Penal Code 1001.36 offers treatment instead of incarceration. Drug court programs provide rehabilitation as an alternative to state prison for eligible defendants facing drug crimes.
Felony cases follow a specific legal process in criminal court. Each stage presents opportunities for effective defense work by experienced defense attorneys. Our Los Angeles criminal attorney team guides clients through every step of their criminal defense cases.
After a felony arrest in Los Angeles, police transport you to jail for booking. The court sets bail according to the county bail schedule based on your criminal charges. We advocate for bail reduction at the earliest possible hearing to get you home.
Some defendants qualify for release on their own recognizance without posting bail. Factors include community ties, criminal history, and flight risk. Our criminal defense lawyers present compelling arguments for pretrial release to help you prepare your legal defense.
Arraignment is your first court appearance, where you enter a plea. We advise most clients not to plead guilty at this stage to preserve all options. This initiates the discovery process, during which we obtain the prosecution's evidence against you.
The preliminary hearing determines whether probable cause exists to hold you for trial. A skilled attorney can sometimes get charges reduced or your case dismissed at this stage. We challenge weak evidence before cases reach trial, saving clients from prolonged uncertainty in the legal system.
Comprehensive trial preparation begins immediately after we take your criminal case. Jury selection matters enormously because jurors must find you proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We develop a clear defense theory and prepare witnesses to support your case.
Expert witnesses often play crucial roles in challenging the prosecution's evidence. Only about 2% of cases go to jury trial, but thorough preparation is essential. Strong preparation often leads to better plea deal offers or getting your case dismissed before trial.
Our criminal defense team prepares every case as if it will go to trial. This approach ensures we never miss opportunities to avoid a guilty verdict. Whether we negotiate or litigate, preparation drives successful outcomes.
A criminal conviction for felony offenses brings serious consequences far beyond time in prison. Collateral consequences touch every aspect of your life for years or decades. Understanding what you face helps you appreciate why aggressive legal defense matters.
California's Three Strikes Law imposes harsh sentencing enhancements for repeat serious felonies:
Only violent and serious felonies count as strikes under California law. A third strike conviction essentially means spending most of your remaining life in prison. We fight to keep strike convictions off your criminal record.
A felony conviction creates barriers to employment that last for years. Many employers refuse to hire applicants with felony records after background checks. Professional licenses in healthcare, law, education, and other fields are at risk of revocation.
Felons lose voting rights while incarcerated, but can restore them after release. Firearm ownership is prohibited for life after a felony conviction. Housing discrimination against felons is common, and non-citizens face deportation as an immigration consequence.
Your criminal record follows you everywhere in the legal system. These serious consequences affect family relationships, career opportunities, and personal freedom. Our Los Angeles felony lawyer fights to help you avoid these life-changing impacts.
California expungement under Penal Code 1203.4 offers relief for many felony convictions. You must complete probation and have no pending criminal charges to qualify. Your probation officer must confirm successful completion before you can apply.
Important limitation: violent felonies resulting in state prison sentences are NOT eligible for expungement. Proposition 47 allows the reduction of certain felonies to misdemeanors. California's Clean Slate Laws under AB 1076 and SB 731 provide additional paths to clear eligible records from your criminal history.
Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers, offer unique qualifications for your legal representation. We know every courtroom in Los Angeles County and the prosecutors and judges who work there. Our criminal defense attorneys have been recognized as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for their courtroom skills.
Our team includes a former prosecutor who understands how the other side builds cases. This insight helps us anticipate prosecution strategies and counter them effectively. We have a proven track record of reducing charges, getting cases dismissed, and securing not-guilty verdicts at trial.
You receive personalized attention from experienced defense attorneys, not junior associates handling your criminal case. We remain available 24/7 and respond promptly to client concerns. Our affordable fees and payment plan options make skilled legal representation accessible when you need it most.
Felonies are punishable by more than one year in state prison, while misdemeanors carry maximum sentences of one year in county jail and smaller fines.
Yes, wobbler offenses can be reduced to misdemeanors through plea deal negotiations or under Proposition 47 if the crime qualifies and you meet eligibility requirements.
Felony sentences range from 16 months to life imprisonment, depending on the criminal offense. Three Strikes convictions can result in 25 years to life in state prison.
Yes, felony convictions appear on background checks and can disqualify you from many jobs, professional licenses, and government positions requiring security clearances.
Many felonies can be expunged after completing probation under California law. However, violent felonies that result in state prison sentences are generally ineligible for expungement.
Never accept a plea deal without consulting a criminal defense lawyer first. An experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate whether the offer is fair or whether pursuing a not-guilty verdict is more appropriate.
Felony criminal charges demand immediate action to protect your freedom and future. Every day matters when building your legal defense against serious criminal charges. The prosecution begins working against you from the moment of arrest, and you need skilled legal representation to fight back.
Our criminal defense attorneys at Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers bring over 30 years of combined experience to your criminal case. We take an aggressive approach and have the proven track record to back it up. Early intervention by a skilled attorney improves outcomes significantly in the criminal justice system.
Call us today at (310) 557-1700 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 to discuss your criminal defense cases and explain your options. Visit our office at 355 S Grand Ave #2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Protect your freedom, your future, and your legal rights by contacting our Los Angeles criminal defense team now.
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