5 Important Steps to Take After You Are Arrested

Getting arrested can be a traumatic and life altering event for both the accused and his or her family members. It may also be difficult to think clearly. However, it is important that you remain focused and take the necessary steps to protect your legal rights and ensure that you get the best defense possible for the charges you are facing.

Below are five important steps you should take after an arrested.

  1. Ask for an attorney. One of the most important steps you should take if you have been arrested or are being investigated for a crime is to ask for a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. Talking to the police without an attorney may jeopardize your case and your freedom even further.
  2. Remain silent. Under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to remain silent. You should use this opportunity to “lawyer up” and protect your legal rights.
  3. Do not resist arrest or attempt to flee. Whether you are innocent or not, you should not fight back or attempt to run away during the course or in the aftermath of an arrest. This will only make the matter worse. Instead, comply with the arresting officer and then ask for a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.
  4. Be respectful. In order to ensure that you are treated with respect, you need to act respectfully toward the arresting police officers.
  5. Remember the facts of your arrest. If something goes wrong during your arrest, it is important that you remember the details so that you can later provide it to your Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.

Call an Experienced Los Angeles Assault Defense Attorney

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with criminal defense attorney Simon M. Aval, please call us at (800) 209-9808 or complete our online form. Mr. Aval is a Certified Specialist in criminal law by the state bar of California.

 

Defenses to a California Charge of Assault

A California criminal charge of assault may range from a minor to a serious crime, depending upon the circumstances of the incident. However, just because you are charged with assault, it does not mean that you will automatically be convicted.

An experienced Los Angeles assault defense attorney can help customize a defense to protect your legal rights and avoid the serious consequences of an assault conviction.

Possible Defenses to a California Assault Charge

Self Defense or Defense of Others

Self-defense means that you exercised a reasonable amount of force, given the surrounding circumstances, to prevent a third party from injuring you or someone else. To successfully invoke this defense, your attorney will need to show that the individual you allegedly assaulted was putting you in danger and as such caused you to react.

Consent

Consent means that the person you allegedly assaulted agreed to your offending conduct. A defense of consent may be successful only if the injuries were not serious and were reasonably foreseeable.

Dispute the Charges

Depending on the facts of your case, your Los Angeles assault defense lawyer may determine that the best defense strategy is to dispute the assault charges altogether. This defense may only be successful in certain situations, such as if you were wrongly identified as the perpetrator of the alleged assault.

Call an Experienced Los Angeles Assault Defense Attorney

An assault charge can have serious penalties that may negatively impact all aspects of your life. Hiring an experienced Los Angeles assault defense lawyer may mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal of the charges. In other words, your lawyer can effectively argue a defense on your behalf that will ensure your freedom.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with criminal defense attorney Simon Aval, please call us at (800) 209-9808 or complete our online form. Mr. Aval is a Certified Specialist in criminal law by the state bar of California.

 

5 Reasons Why You Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer Before Charges Are Filed

A criminal conviction can carry serious consequences that may affect all aspects of your life. You may have a hard time looking for employment, successfully applying for credit cards, or even getting approved for a housing application.

It is crucial to immediately hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney when you are arrested or being investigated for a crime. In some cases, if you hire a good attorney before you have been charged with a crime, it may help you stay out of court and jail.

Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney: The Sooner the Better 

Prosecutors often file cases too early without having the necessary evidence to prove the charges.  In California, although Federal and other law enforcement agencies may hastily arrest individuals or execute search warrants, they often do not file charges right away. In fact, most prosecution offices require that their law enforcement agencies provide a complete and detailed investigation packet in order to file criminal charges.

A criminal defense attorney who has the necessary knowledge and experience may know what the police is thinking in terms of whether to file charges or not. If the attorney can provide the necessary facts from the defense’s point of view to convince the prosecutor that he or she will not be able to prove the case, the charges may not be filed. For this very reason, it is imperative that you hire a Los Angeles pre-filing criminal defense lawyer if you have been arrested or just being investigated for a crime.

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

To learn more about the importance of hiring a criminal defense attorney at the pre-filing level, you should call Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Simon Aval. Ms. Aval has the knowledge and experience to resolve your case before charges are filed and before you go to jail.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our criminal defense attorneys, please call us at (800) 209-9808 or complete our online form.