Every Person Deserves
a Defense

A Criminal Defense Attorney with a Passion for Helping People.

Former Educator / Community Activist

Excellent Rating

Avvo excellent rating & featured attorney, Clients’ Choice for Criminal Defense, Abraham Lincoln University of Law class valedictorian.

Highly Trusted

Leah Legal has an impeccable reputation with colleagues and clients, as well as throughout the courts. Read some past client reviews here.

Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorneys In Los Angeles


A criminal charge or arrest can be inconvenient and alarming. If you are under arrest or facing charges, you want to act fast to defend your constitutional rights and prevent a conviction by hiring a skilled criminal defense lawyer.  Not only can a conviction lead to severe penalties like probation, jail, fines, and prison, but it can also result in a permanent criminal record, potentially impacting your future educational opportunities and career. You owe it to yourself to do all you can to resolve your case with minor damage to your freedom and reputation.

Serving the Los Angeles area, we at Leah Legal have a track record of success built over years of legal experience. We stand ready to defend you and your legal rights, regardless of what charges you face. We specialize only in criminal defense, meaning your case will receive the attention it deserves. If you are searching for a lawyer who will respond to all of your legal needs, care about what is happening to you, and understand how the justice system works, we are the lawyers for you. 

Our Practice Areas

When looking for an attorney to help you, you want to know their past cases and the kinds of charges they have handled. Here is an overview of some of the practice areas we handle. We are well-equipped to explain what you are up against, assess your options, and develop a strategy that obtains you the best possible outcome.

Drug Crimes

Drug offenses are among the most commonly charged offenses in California. These crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies based on the defendant’s criminal history, the kind and volume of the drug involved, and other case facts. Examples of narcotic offenses include the following:

  • Simple drug possession
  • Drug possession for sale 
  • Drug sale and distribution
  • Drug transportation
  • Drug manufacturing. 

If you have been accused of a narcotics offense, you must fully understand your legal options, the prosecution’s burden of proof, the defenses you can use, and the possibilities that await you in case of a conviction. Many defendants do not simply consult a drug defense lawyer to solve their case. This could have a devastating outcome on your professional and personal life. Consequently, you want to consult a drug crimes defense attorney experienced in this constantly changing area of the law. 

At Leah Legal, we can help you fight your drug charges. We not only boast award-winning drug crime lawyers in Southern California, but we also have former prosecutors with extensive knowledge of how the legal justice system processes these kinds of cases. We will ensure your rights are safeguarded and your interests are defended throughout each stage of your case. Call us at 213-444-7818 to start working on your defense. 

DUI Charges

Any licensed motorist found to have a BAC of 0.08% or more can face DUI charges. These complex, intricate laws are ever-changing, and prosecutors use various tools to increase the consequences against defendants accused of DUI, like driving recklessly, having a BAC level of over 0.15%, having prior DUI convictions, refusing to undergo chemical testing, inflicting injuries upon several victims, etc. 

Whatever the case, your privilege to drive can be suspended, revoked, or restricted by the DMV, even though you may face substantial fines and incarceration after conviction in criminal court. At Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney, we can help you fight the two cases—the criminal court charges and the DMV action against your privilege to drive. Our DUI defense lawyers have undergone specialized training in this challenging, science-based practice area.  

Driving under the influence is a highly legislated crime. That means the laws in place impose the consequences you could be subject to, without much negotiating space. Often, this includes a mandatory minimum jail sentence. For this reason, it is essential to contact a lawyer who understands this area of law and is up to date with the latest changes to defend you as rigorously as possible. 

White-Collar Crimes

“White collar crimes” is an umbrella term that describes financially motivated, non-violent crimes that generally involve some kind of fraud. These crimes commonly happen in a corporate or business setting (hence the term “white collar”). They can often subject a person to severe, even life-changing, penalties. 

Being charged with an offense can devastatingly affect your life. It may disrupt your professional and personal career. Forfeiture statutes can also place your life at a standstill, allowing investigating bodies to confiscate your assets. If you are charged with a white-collar crime, you immediately need to consult a lawyer who knows how to handle white-collar crimes and investigations. 

At Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney, we can assist you in evaluating your legal options and aggressively challenging the accusations against you. Call us at 213-444-7818 as soon as you are charged to share the details of your case. 

California does not have white-collar criminal law. Instead, it has put in place an intricate series of laws against theft and fraud under which these financial offenses are prosecuted. Since these crimes often involve substantial amounts of money, they are generally prosecuted as felonies. White-collar crimes in California include the following: 

  • Embezzlement 
  • Insider trading 
  • Money laundering 
  • Bribery 
  • Tax evasion

Domestic Violence

Have you been accused of domestic violence or abuse? Domestic abuse charges are one of the most emotionally challenging and disruptive. At Leah Legal, we assist individuals who might have committed a mistake, placed themselves in a bad legal position, or had their actions misinterpreted by the police. You need not face these accusations alone. Our domestic violence attorneys will aggressively defend your legal rights and safeguard your interests. With decades of experience, we have handled many of these cases and are ready to assist in navigating every step. 

We know that a domestic violence arrest can affect your family life, especially when it comes to child custody. We can help handle the matter vigorously, quietly, and swiftly to restore your routine. Schedule a complimentary consultation by calling 213-444-7818. Possible domestic violence charges include the following: 

  • Domestic battery
  • Corporal injury to a spouse
  • Criminal threats 
  • Child endangerment
  • Child abuse

If you have been arrested for domestic abuse, do not talk to anybody before talking with your lawyer. Oftentimes, arrestees try to proclaim their innocence. However, police officers know how to use these proclamations against the defendant, luring them into sudden conversations and recording statements they can use against them.

Our lawyers can immediately seek to have you released from jail, either with an O.R. release, bail reduction, or by contacting an expert bondsman to help secure your immediate release. Also, we can address any emergency restraining order that law enforcement officers might have executed at the arrest site.

Sex Crimes

If you have been accused of a sex crime, you want to start protecting your future as soon as possible. Not only can a sex crime arrest be embarrassing, but it can also be detrimental to your professional and personal life. A conviction carries lifelong implications, including registration as a sex offender for life. Handling sex crimes is particularly challenging and necessitates assertive and experienced defense counsel to secure the best possible outcome.

At Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney, our sex crime attorneys have years of experience handling these cases. They are familiar with the challenges defendants experience in these cases, and they will work to ensure their interests and rights are prioritized throughout all stages of their case. Examples of sex crimes we handle include, but are not limited to: 

  • Rape
  • Sodomy 
  • Prostitution 
  • Pandering
  • Child pornography

It is essential to hire a lawyer immediately after an arrest for a sex crime since time is of the essence when developing your defense strategy. Laws like Megan’s Law and Jessica’s Law (Proposition 83) make it crucial that you retain a knowledgeable sex crime defense lawyer. 

Violent Crimes

Violent offenses include criminal acts where the offender applies or threatens to apply violent force on the victim. Most violent offenses perpetrated in Los Angeles are drug-related offenses, such as trafficking and robberies. Whatever the reason or cause may be, you want to contact an expert violent crimes attorney if you are charged or arrested for a violent crime. 

We have many years of legal experience specializing solely in criminal defense. When you want a person you know can handle the urgency and difficulties of your case, you want to choose us for legal representation. Violent crimes we handle include, but are not limited to: 

  • Assault with a deadly weapon
  • Murder
  • Mayhem 
  • Manslaughter 
  • Armed robbery 
  • Rape

From the minute you learn about the allegations against you, it is essential to be proactive in protecting your legal rights. The first step you should take is to contact us at 213-444-7818, as we have in-depth experience tackling these kinds of cases. Once you contact us, you can rest assured that an experienced defense attorney is working to contest the prosecution’s evidence against you and prove your innocence. 

Weapon Charges

If you have been accused of weapon charges, you are in serious trouble. Most weapon crimes are considered felonies, subjecting you to heavy penalties upon conviction. Even a weapon offense charged as a misdemeanor can cause serious problems and impact your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. 

It is essential to note that weapon charges do not only apply to the use or possession of guns. The unlawful use or possession of many prevalent household items can also constitute weapon charges. For example, if you use a box cutter, vehicle, or key to hurt someone, you can be subject to a weapon charge. Regardless of why you have been accused of a weapons offense, your rights and freedom are at stake. You could face jail time, hefty fines, and be required to surrender your firearms.

At Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney, we can help you develop a solid defense against the accusations against you. We understand that a single reckless act can result in a weapons charge arrest. However, that does not mean you should live your entire life under the shadow of that mistake. If you are faced with this situation, we will provide you with robust legal representation.

Theft Crimes 

If you have been arrested or charged with a theft offense, it does not mean you will go to jail. You always have the chance to contest the charges against you. In fact, you can prevent the prosecution from filing charges if you have the right lawyer fighting for you. 

Regardless of the facts of your theft crime, you are entitled to a compelling defense that defeats the prosecution’s case. At Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney, we will examine your case and create a solid defense strategy to prove your innocence. We have handled theft crimes for hundreds of clients, from minor shoplifting to the more severe charges of robbery, and we are experienced in and out of the court.  

If you face accusations of theft, your life as you know it might change forever, even when you are innocent. Your reputation might be ruined, and you might lose your job or have a challenging time securing employment later due to a criminal record. Family and friends might judge you and want nothing to do with you. To try to set things right, you want to defend yourself immediately. Seek the assistance of a qualified theft crimes lawyer like us at Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney. 

Juvenile Crimes

A conviction of a juvenile crime can have severe, long-term implications. At Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney, we understand this, and that is why we provide rigorous legal representation for any minor who wants to safeguard their future. If your child has been arrested for or accused of a gang-related offense, theft crime, or any other violation, call us for a free, confidential consultation with our juvenile defense lawyers. We know how to fight juvenile delinquency cases effectively. 

Juvenile offenses can range from minor infractions to more severe crimes, each attracting different penalties. Examples of the most common crimes minors commit include: 

  • Vandalism
  • Theft
  • Underage drinking 
  • Disorderly conduct 
  • Drug distribution or possession

We know that many juvenile crimes stem from hasty decisions. Our objective is to offer a robust defense that helps prevent a single mistake from defining your child’s future. As parents ourselves, we understand that a criminal conviction jeopardizes a child’s future. For this reason, we treat juvenile cases as though the children were our own. We employ skilled defense strategies, like contesting the reliability of the prosecution’s evidence, challenging false accusations where applicable, and proving that the police collected evidence in violation of the child’s constitutional rights.  

Client Testimonials

Leah Legal is committed to each and every client. Cases do not simply stop at the initial meeting, this is a long road and Leah Legal will be by your side every step of the way. When you sign up with our firm you can rest assured you will be treated with kindness, respect, and honesty while obtaining vigorous criminal representation. Some of our past clients have been wonderful enough to leave testimonials on their experiences dealing with our firm. These are real people who faced some of the same things you are facing at the moment and they decided to lean on Leah Legal to represent them in obtaining the best result imaginable. Read a few client reviews here.

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    Oftentimes, your initial encounter with the authorities when suspected of an offense is when a police officer questions you. This could arise from a traffic stop, a citizen’s report, an officer’s belief that they witnessed the crime, or as part of a broader investigation. It is never too early to retain a lawyer during police interrogation, even when you have not been arrested yet.

    A skilled attorney will advise you on what questions to answer and when you should remain silent. They can also be an intermediary between you and the police, ensuring the officer handles the process appropriately and respects your rights. 

    After the police officer completes investigations, they may arrest you if they trust there is sufficient evidence to link you to an offense. When you are arrested, the officer should read you your Miranda rights. One of these rights is the right to a lawyer.

    An attorney is essential to safeguarding your rights before and after an arrest. After an arrest, your matter will be sent to a prosecutor, who will assess it. If there is sufficient evidence warranting a prosecution, the prosecutor may formally charge you. By contacting a lawyer early, you may prevent these charges from being filed. The lawyer may find mistakes in your case or negotiate for the best possible outcome, depending on the case facts.

    After charges are filed, you will be arraigned in court, where you will enter a plea. You are entitled to seek a lawyer’s advice before you take a plea. Based on how you plead, the judge will then decide whether you should post bail and secure your pretrial release. Navigating the bail process can be intricate, and a skilled lawyer can help.

    After the arraignment, the discovery process follows. This is where the D.A. gives the defense the evidence it has collected in developing its case against you and vice versa. The evidence is intended to support the criminal charges and might include witness statements, police reports, photos, and videos. An experienced attorney can scrutinize these materials to determine inaccuracies and weaknesses that they could use in your favor. 

    Should your case go to trial, the burden of demonstrating that you are guilty lies with the prosecutor. During the trial, your lawyer will develop the most compelling arguments in your favor. If the prosecution cannot demonstrate its case, the jury will find you not guilty. But if it proves its case, you will be found guilty.

    Even if you are convicted, a devoted lawyer will continue working to help you receive the most favorable outcome. They can submit evidence and assert a lighter sentence, which can lead to a reduced incarceration period, court supervision, lower fines, or other lenient alternatives. If the jury found you not guilty or you received court supervision, your lawyer can help you review your eligibility to seal or expunge your record.