Our Lancaster criminal defense attorneys have years of experience fighting to get felony, misdemeanor, and infraction charges reduced or dismissed throughout Los Angeles County. Our local law office is located at:
1805 West Ave K, Suite 133
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 264-9190
Surrounding areas we serve include Palmdale, Antelope Valley, Long Beach, L.A., Glendale, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pomona, Torrance, Pasadena, El Monte, Downey, West Covina, Burbank, Norwalk, Van Nuys, and more.
Effective Lancaster criminal defense
Our legal team includes former prosecutors and police officers who use our past experience to outmaneuver the District Attorney. Common criminal charges we defend against include:
- Assault and battery (PC 242)
- Domestic violence
- Drug crimes, including drug possession (HS 11350)
- DUI cases
- Hit and run (VC 20002)
- Juvenile crimes
- Probation violations
- Sex crimes
- Theft crimes
- Traffic tickets
- Violent crimes
- White collar crimes
In addition, our Lancaster criminal defense lawyers argue for reduced bail, the expungement of criminal records, and the restoration of firearm rights. And our DUI defense attorneys always appear at our clients’ DMV hearings to fight to save their driver’s licenses.
Lancaster jail and court
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lancaster station is responsible for law enforcement in Lancaster and the Antelope Valley. Arrestees are usually taken to the Lancaster Jail, located at:
501 West Lancaster Boulevard
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-8466
Search for inmate information here.
Lancaster criminal cases are heard at the Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, a branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The court is located at:
42011 4th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 483-5500
Search for case information here.
Criminal court process
After people get arrested, they can usually bail out or be released on their own recognizance. Defendants who are denied the opportunity to bail out are typically flight risks, public safety risks, or murder suspects.
Courts grant defendants bail or OR-release on the condition that they appear at all future court hearings. Though defendants may be able to miss several of these court hearings as long as their private attorney appears in their place.
When a defendant misses court, the judge will issue a bench warrant. From that moment on, the defendant can be apprehended at any time. And the warrant will remain outstanding until 1) the defendant files a motion with the court to have it recalled, and 2) the court holds a hearing on the matter. In some cases, the defendant may have to appear at a motion quash hearing; in others, the defendant may be able to let his/her attorney appear on his/her behalf.
Public defenders represent criminal defendants unable to afford private counsel.
Once the defendant gets formally charged at the arraignment, the defense attorney will try to persuade the prosecutor to dismiss or reduce the criminal charges. In many cases, prosecutors will agree to a favorable plea bargain so that they can avoid going to trial. Nearly all cases resolve through negotiation.
Unless the defendant was indicted by grand jury, defendants charged with felonies are entitled to a preliminary hearing. Prelims resemble trials, but they are very different. The reason behind prelims is for prosecutors to prove to the court that they have a strong enough case to keep pressing charges. If the court finds that the state’s case is weak, the charge will get dismissed. Otherwise, the case may continue to trial.
If a defendant pleads guilty as part of a plea agreement, the court will usually sentence the defendant to whatever terms the prosecutor and defense attorney agreed to. If a defendant is found guilty after a trial, the court can then impose any penalties that fall within the statutory penalty range.
Certain defendants – especially first-time offenders – may be able to avoid jail time by going on probation. Common conditions of probation are paying fines and restitution, performing community service, submitting to sobriety tests, and avoiding further run-ins with police.
Call our criminal defense law firm for legal advice and general information.
Shouse Law Group offers free consultations on how we can achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Our top AVVO-rated criminal trial lawyers create attorney-client relationships throughout the state of California.
Our practice areas for legal representation include personal injury law and family law in addition to criminal and DUI/DWI defense. (Our personal injury lawyers take no fee unless we win.)