Best District Justice Torrance Near Me

4worldlovers: Greg Hill & Associates, criminal defense attorneys in Torrance, understand how being charged with DUI, Domestic Violence, Drug Offenses (including Drug Possession, Transportation and/or Sales), Hit and Run, Attempted Murder, Mayhem, Shoplifting, Commercial Burglary, Tampering with a Vehicle, Public Intoxication, Solicitation of Prostitution, Child Molestation, Public Urination, Resisting Arrest or other crimes, including Juvenile Offenses, can shatter lives, affect employment and destroy families.

We appreciate that convictions for such offenses can lead to jail or prison time, being deported, having a professional license revoked or suspended, being denied a loan, being evicted, humiliation and divorce.

We also understand the sense of urgency one has with a bench warrant or being held in custody for extradition to another state.

Why Hire a Private Attorney Instead of Using a Public Defender?

If you or a loved one have been arrested, call us. Discussing your case will help you have a clearer idea of what defenses may apply and what punishment, if any, you could face. We will explain the general sequence of events in a criminal case so you know what will happen and when it will take place. If your loved one is in custody, we often go to visit the client in jail. We can then argue for own recognizance (“OR”) release, or in the alternative, a reduction of bail in light of alternative, non-monetary methods of ensuring public safety as set forth in the recent ruling in In re Kenneth Humphrey (January 25, 2018).

We appear most often in the Torrance, Long Beach, Compton, Inglewood, Airport, Metro, Downtown Los Angeles, Alhambra, Bellflower, Norwalk, Downey, Fullerton, West Covina and Westminster courts. We also appear in other courts throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties, as well as U.S. District Court (federal court). We can help you.

When the client is eligible, we will attempt to resolve misdemeanor cases under California Penal Code § 1001.1's diversion program. Section 1001.1 refers to the procedure of postponing prosecution of an offense filed as a misdemeanor either temporarily or permanently at any point in the judicial process from the point at which the accused is charged until adjudication.

There are additional diversion programs available for military veterans (Penal Code § 1001.80) and mental health issues (Penal Code § 1001.36).

There are also programs called Bad Check Diversion and Parental Diversion that may apply to help one avoid a conviction. Our Torrance criminal defense attorneys handle all misdemeanor, felony and civil restraining order cases, as well as juvenile matters and DMV Hearings.

We also file motions to modify probation or to end it early (for possible expungement later), petitions to seal an arrest record and court file (Penal Code §§ 851.91 and 851.92), for expungement (Penal Code § 1203.4) and petitions for factual innocence (Penal Code § 851.8). We also have experience with Certificates of Rehabilitation and motions for reclassification of a felony as a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 17(b), as well as under Prop 64 and Prop 47. Increasingly, we have filed more and more motions to vacate a conviction under Penal Code § 1473.7 based on a plea being entered without the defendant being properly advised of the immigration consequences of such a plea.Our results, experience, compassion, hard work and skill have helped us gain a reputation as the “go-to” guys with a sense of urgency if someone faces criminal charges. Dismissals, pre-filing diversion and reduction of charges are not uncommon for our clients.

Greg Hill, a former Marine, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate (Annapolis) and Loyola Law School graduate. He has been practicing criminal law for over 22 years as a criminal defense lawyer. He has handled both high-profile cases that were in the news and far less glamorous cases that predominate in our courts. He has been recognized by the National Advocacy of DUI Defense (NAFDD) as one of the top 100 DUI Defense Attorneys in California, one of the top 100 trial attorneys in the United States, as well as one of the 15 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in the United States for 2014 as featured in Newsweek.com. He also has earned “Superb” 10.0 rating by Avvo, the highest rating attainable and is ranked second in the world for points under Avvo’s system. He also is a member of the Benjamin Aranda Inns of Court.

4worldlovers: When you are charged or even being investigated for a crime in Torrance, everything can change. With over 7,000 criminal cases handled, no one knows that fact better than Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist Pat Carey. In his 8+ years working with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Pat Carey saw it all. After serving as a prosecutor, he left the DA’s office and became a privately retained attorney focusing on criminal defense. He brought his knowledge of everything prosecution to put forward the best possible defense for his clients, and most specifically has focused his criminal defense practice in Manhattan Beach. He has not only the experience, but Pat has also trained Law Enforcement agencies and new prosecutors during his tenure with the D.A.’s Office. He has mastered the art of negotiation for his clients, and when your case cannot be settled Pat is relentless at trial. His trial experience is unmatched by his competitors given his experience in the DA’s office.

Why Is It Important to Immediately Work with a Defense Attorney?

It is prudent to seek legal advice as soon as possible if you suspect that you may soon be charged with a crime. Prosecutors could already be building a case against you, and you must be proactive in protecting your rights. Early participation in an investigation will generally result in a stronger and more organized defense strategy. Leveraging local relationships can also put a stop to charges before they are brought against you. If this is not possible, strategic negotiations can result in a lesser charge or a favorable plea deal. Our Torrance criminal defense attorney will evaluate and pursue all available legal options before and after criminal charges are filed.

At The Law Offices of J. Patrick Carey, we are committed to protecting your rights and will explore all strategies that may benefit your position. This can include attempting to get charges dropped or reduced to a lesser offense. In addition to defending clients against infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies, we provide a wide range of additional legal services. We regularly assist with expungements and other legal interventions that can restore your rights and prevent sentencing enhancements under California’s Three Strikes Law. We also provide legal guidance with personal injury claims and juvenile defense.