Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys

Comprehensive Criminal Defense in Los Angeles

We take a holistic approach to your case and carefully consider every aspect of the offense you are charged with and the consequences you could be facing. Whether charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, we appreciate the many ways a conviction could affect you, including being hit with thousands of dollars in fines, months or years in jail, a sentence of probation, loss of a professional license and employment opportunities, and the negative effects of a criminal record on your personal, professional and social life.

Our firm handles the full range of state and federal criminal offenses in California, including all of the following, among others:

DUI

A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) can result in a driver’s license suspension, vastly increased insurance rates, and thousands in fines and court costs, at the very least. We look at every aspect of your case and raise all applicable defenses, including questioning the validity of the traffic stop, field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results, other factors influencing our blood alcohol content, and more. If you contact us soon after your arrest, we’ll also request a hearing at the DMV and represent you to save your license so you can continue to go to work or school while your case is pending. Whether it’s your first DUI or a subsequent offense, or if special circumstances raise the charge to a felony DUI, our skilled California DUI defense lawyers provide a strong and strategic defense.

Drug Charges

We handle the full range of drug charges in Los Angeles, including possession, possession with intent to sell, distribution, drug trafficking, and more. The type and amount of substance involved, your criminal history, the location of the offense and other enhancements, can all influence whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a serious felony. Any drug charge should be taken seriously and defended aggressively and strategically, as the consequences of a conviction can be wide-ranging and damaging. Whether the offense relates to controlled substances, prescription drugs, paraphernalia, or even marijuana, the criminal defense lawyers at the Kosnett Law Firm are here for you.

Assault and Battery

Although sometimes charged together, assault and battery are separate offenses with different elements that must be proven. For instance, an assault doesn’t require physical contact, while a battery doesn’t require intent to cause harm. The specific circumstances surrounding the incident can determine whether the offense is charged as a misdemeanor or an aggravated felony. Many defenses may be available, including self-defense, defense of others, lack of intent, misidentification, false accusation, and more. Assault and battery are classified as violent crimes that could rise to the level of a strike offense under California’s three strikes law, making it critical to mount a strong defense to protect your future.

Property Crimes

Theft and property crimes range from shoplifting and petty theft to burglary and armed robbery. Factors such as the value of goods involved, the use of violence, threats or weapons, the nature of the item allegedly taken, the defendant’s criminal history, and more can all influence the precise charges filed and the consequences at stake. The value of the goods, in particular, can determine whether prosecutors charge you with a misdemeanor or a felony. We’ll work to negotiate the lowest possible charge for a favorable result or fight the charges in court when it’s the best course of action to protect you.

Firearms and Gun Crimes

California’s gun laws, such as the state’s concealed carry and open carry laws, or laws related to buying or selling firearms, can be complicated to understand and difficult to comply with, but a conviction can cause you to lose your Second Amendment right to keep and carry arms, along with other criminal consequences including fines and jail time. Committing an assault with a weapon or even brandishing a weapon during a crime or in public can lead to serious penalties. We provide a vigorous defense against charges in weapons cases, as well as dealing with prosecutorial attempts to add gun enhancements to other charges.

Sex Crimes

Allegations of solicitation or prostitution can start to affect you long before any plea or conviction, making early intervention essential to getting the best result and protecting your reputation and personal life. With a long-term or life-long sex offender registration at stake, you need a legal team committed to the best outcome while handling your case with the discretion and sensitivity it deserves.

Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders

Allegations of domestic violence are handled differently than other criminal charges. Even though the conduct in question might not even rise to the level of criminal conduct, a restraining order can be imposed on you without you ever being notified of the accusation and having the chance to defend yourself. You do have the right to a hearing before any long-term order can be put in place, where you can present evidence that the allegations are baseless, stem from a misunderstanding, or are outright false. The standards of proof required for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (preponderance of evidence/satisfaction of court) or a Civil Harassment Restraining Order (clear and convincing evidence) are lower than the standard required for a criminal conviction (proof beyond a reasonable doubt). This makes it easier for the prosecution to prove domestic violence and harder to defend against. We take the time to understand the nature of the charges and the underlying circumstances and build a strong defense.

Title IX

In educational institutions from elementary and high schools to colleges and universities, students, coaches, faculty and staff can all find themselves on the wrong side of a Title IX complaint. Allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or sexual assault are taken very seriously, and actions are taken very swiftly. While you have a right to present your side of the story, the burden often falls on the accused to prove their innocence in these delicate proceedings, as opposed to criminal cases where the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. Our team at Kosnett Law Firm is experienced and successful in handling Title IX cases and can help you present a compelling defense.

Previously Convicted? We Can Help Clear Your Record.

A criminal conviction, even for a misdemeanor offense, can continue to have a significant impact on your life personally, professionally, and socially long after any fine was paid or sentence served. Fortunately, California provides many avenues for post-conviction relief to reduce, vacate or eliminate a conviction. Post-conviction relief is often available in situations such as:

• Ineffective assistance of counsel at trial
• No Miranda warnings after an arrest
• Completion of probation
• “Wobblers”
• Marijuana offenses

We’ll file the appropriate motion and represent you in a courtroom hearing to get a conviction dismissed, have a felony reduced to a misdemeanor, or seal and destroy arrest records in appropriate circumstances. There’s no reason why you can’t put the past behind you and move on with your life; we can help you with that.

Contact Kosnett Law Firm in Los Angeles Today

Your future is too important to leave to chance, to give up, or to put yourself at the mercy of the court. A skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. In Los Angeles, contact the Kosnett Law Firm for practical advice and skilled, strategic assistance to protect your rights, protect your future, and get the best result in the most difficult circumstances.