Santa Monica Criminal Defense Attorney

Legal Defense Against Criminal Charges

Being arrested, charged, or convicted of a criminal offense can dramatically alter your life for the worse. Depending on the severity of the crime, you may be subject to penalties that include large monetary fines, extended probation, or jail or prison time. In addition to these penalties, you may also face consequences that include the inability to find or maintain gainful employment, obtain loans for a home or vehicle, apply for secondary education, or legally possess a firearm.

At Lessem & Newstat, we have over 50 years of combined experience in the area of criminal law, and we understand the necessity for strong legal representation when one is facing criminal charges. One of our lawyers, Jeremy Lessem, is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a criminal law specialist. If you're facing a criminal charge, you want a lawyer like Mr. Lessem fighting for you. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, we encourage you to contact a Santa Monica criminal defense attorney at our firm right away. Our legal team is available to provide you with aggressive and vigorous defense in matters that include:

• Federal Crimes - The federal government has its own set of laws completely separate from the laws observed by individual states. If you violate one of these federal laws, you can be charged with a federal crime, which is often met with severe penalties. You can also be charged with a federal crime if you commit a criminal offense on federal land, such as a national park or government grounds. If you are charged wit a federal crime you need an attonry that understands the feeral system. Learn more about federal crimes...
• DUI - In our state, it is against the law for you to operate a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over .08%. If you do drive while over the legal limit, you can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). There are a number of DUI related crimes that carry varying degrees of punishment, including underage DUI and vehicular manslaughter. Read more about DUI...
• Misdemeanor - According to the California Penal Code, a misdemeanor is a crime that is less serious than a felony. Misdemeanors can carry penalties that include up to 1 year of jail time and $2,000 in fines. Misdemeanors do result in a criminal record, and frequently show up in background checks. Click for more information about misdemeanors...
• Murder - California Penal Code Section 187 defines murder as the act of ending another human being's life in an unlawful way with "malice aforethought." First degree murder charges are brought against those accused of committing murder after premeditation and deliberation. Second degree murder charges are brought against those accused of murder in a moment of passion (such as in instances of reactive rage). At Lessem & Newstat we have represented numerous clilents charged with murder. Learn more about murder...
• Three Strikes - In our state, we have what is known as the "three strikes" law. A "strike" refers to a conviction on violent felony charges. If you have one strike, and are convicted of a second violent felony, your prison sentence will be doubled. If you have two strikes, and are convicted of a third felony (or third "strike"), you could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Learn more about three strikes...
• Drug Crimes - Authorities in our state have very little tolerance when it comes to crimes involving drugs. These crimes include drug possession, drug distribution, drug cultivation/manufacturing, and drug trafficking. Crimes involving the illegal use of medical marijuana are also considered drug crimes, and can be punished heavily. Click to read more about drug crimes...
• Internet Crimes - An internet crime is any offense that is committed while on the internet, or by use of the internet. Examples of internet crimes include fraud (including credit card fraud and online automotive fraud), phishing, identity theft, illegal downloading, and child pornography crimes. Find out more about internet crimes...
• Traffic Crimes - Traffic related crimes can be charged as infractions, misdemeanors or even felonies. These offenses can result in serious consequences, including the suspension or revocation of your drivers' license, and dramatically increased insurance premiums. It is recommended that you contact an experienced attorney if you have been charged with a crime such as reckless driving, driving without a license, driving without insurance, speeding, or committing hit and run. Learn more about traffic crimes...
• Driving With a Suspended License - According to California Vehicle Code 14601, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with knowledge that your license is suspended or revoked. In order for prosecutors to convict you of this crime, they must be able to successfully prove that you had full knowledge of the suspension or revocation and decided to drive anyway. Read more about driving with a suspended license. ..
• Hit and Run - A hit and run offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the specifics of the incident. Hit and runs involving minor fender benders or minimal property damage, with no physical injuries, usually result in misdemeanor charges. Those involving bodily injury or death typically result in felony charges. At Lessem & Newstat we have had great success in getting hot and run charges dimissed through a process called a civil compromise. Learn more about hit and run...
• Juvenile Crimes - The juvenile court system has an entirely different set of rules and regulations than those governing the adult justice system. In most cases, juvenile courts sentence minor offenders with an intent to rehabilitate, not to punish. If your minor child has been charged with a crime, it is very important that you obtain the help of a skilled attorney who can defend your child against the negative consequences attendant to a criminal conviction. Click to read more about juvenile crimes...
• Violent Crimes - "Violent crime" refers to a number of serious criminal offenses, such as assault, battery, arson, robbery, stalking, manslaughter, domestic violence, kidnapping, and murder. Almost every violent crime carries severe punishment. In certain cases, a violent crime conviction can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty. Read more about violent crimes...
• Probation Violations - A person's probation can be violated in a number of ways, including a failure to pay court-ordered fines or restitution to victims of the crime, a failure to appear at a mandated court appearance, a failure to complete community service, possession of weapons or other illegal substances (such as drugs), or being arrested for a new offense. Learn more about probation violations.
• Assault - Section 240 PC of the California Penal Code defines assault as the attempt to injure another person through a violent act. As our state's assault laws do not require a person to actually be injured in order for one to be charged with assault, it is easy for people to be falsely accused of, and wrongfully arrested for, an assault crime. Read more about assault...
• Battery - Under California Penal Code 242 PC, you can be charged with battery if you intentionally and unlawfully use force or violence against another person. Physical injury is not a deciding factor when being charged. You can be convicted of the offense even if the victim does not suffer injury, provided that you have made some kind of unwanted contact. Click to find out more about battery...
• Domestic Violence - Domestic violence laws make it illegal to use any type of physical force, or threats of violence, against an intimate partner or family member. The penalties for domestic violence vary depending on factors that include the severity of the victim's injuries and the defendant's prior criminal record. In most cases, a convicted individual will face a 30-day minimum jail sentence and mandatory attendance at a domestic batterers class. Learn more about domestic violence...
• Sex Crimes - "Sex crime" is used to refer to a variety of illegal acts, including rape, sexual assault, public lewdness, date rape, statutory rape, child molestation, and child pornography crimes. If you have been connected with a sex crime in any way, be it an investigation against you or formal charges, it is imperative that you contact a skilled defense attorney as soon as possible. Read more about sex crimes...
• Sexual Assault - Sexual assault is a crime that can involve rape, the touching of another's breasts, genitals, or anus without express consent, spousal rape, statutory rape, taking advantage of a person in a sexual manner while the person is asleep or intoxicated, and utilizing threats in order to engage in sexual conduct with someone. Learn more about sexual assault...
• Theft Crimes - "Theft" is a very broad category of crime that includes everything from petty shoplifting to armed robbery to grand theft auto. The penalties for various types of theft vary dramatically depending on the severity of the crime, and can range from small monetary fines to extended incarceration in state prison. Click to read more about theft crimes...
• White Collar Crimes - Most white collar crimes are committed in the business world by professional salaried individuals. These crimes typically involve theft or deception of some kind, and can include embezzlement, bribery, fraud (such as real estate fraud, insurance fraud, and tax fraud), larceny, forgery, extortion, perjury, and tax evasion. Click for more information about white collar crimes...
• Appeals - If you have been convicted of a crime, an appeal allows you to take your case to a higher court. The higher court reviews the verdict of the court that convicted you in order to determine if that conviction was somehow in error. A successful appeal could result in your name being completely cleared of any wrongdoing. Learn more about appeals...
• Warrants - Two types of warrants can be issued against you in the state of California: an arrest warrant or a bench warrant. An arrest warrant is an order from a court that calls for your arrest or detention following the alleged commission of a crime. A bench warrant is an order from a judge that calls for your arrest following an alleged failure to appear in court. Read more about warrants...
• Mental Health Law - Many people are incarcerated unjustly, or locked in treatment facilities against their will, because they are believed to be suffering from a mental illness. If you or a loved one has been incarcerated or held due to an alleged mental illness, it is important that you obtain assistance from an attorney who can fight to protect your rights. Learn more about mental health law...
• Prefile Intervention - If you are being investigated for a crime, it is highly likely that the prosecution is gathering evidence and testimony in order to build a case against you. In order to increase your chances of a favorable outcome, it is recommended that you contact an attorney before charges are ever filed, so that you have the time and resources needed to build a strong defense in your case. Many times the sooner we get involved the more we can do to help. Read more about prefile intervention...
• Felony - A felony is a serious crime that can be punished with 16 months in custody or more. Examples of felonies include drug crimes (possession, distribution, trafficking), violent crimes (kidnapping, arson, manslaughter, murder), and white collar crimes (identity theft, computer crime, embezzlement). Learn more about felonies...