Legal defense is critical when facing criminal charges as it ensures fairness in the justice system. It is advisable to hire an attorney immediately after your arrest for guidance, support, and help with defense. Your attorney will ensure you navigate all legal processes successfully, protect your rights against violation, and help you plan a solid defense against your charges. Thus, if you face criminal charges for other crimes, such as vandalism, aiding and abetting, or bribery, having an attorney can influence the outcome of your case.
We offer skilled and experienced legal defense services at Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney. We can support and help you through all complex processes, regardless of the severity of the charges against you. With our support and defense, the court can dismiss or reduce your charges.
Other Criminal Cases An Attorney Can Help With
California law is complex and challenging to understand for someone without legal knowledge. There are many laws against common and uncommon violations that people commit every day. While the common offenses, such as sex crimes, theft, property crimes, fraud, DUI, violence, and gun-related crimes, are widely known, some offenses are not so common. Fortunately, criminal attorneys are aware of these other crimes and are willing and ready to help if you are accused of any of them. Their goal is to ensure you understand your charges, your legal options, your rights, and the best way to defend yourself.
Examples of other cases a skilled criminal defense attorney can help with include the following:
Aiding and Abetting
Aiding and abetting, as under PC 31, occurs when you encourage, facilitate, or help the violation of a law. Anyone who aids or abets a crime is equally liable as the one who directly commits it. Generally, aiding and abetting means helping another person commit a crime. You can be charged as an aider or abettor, depending on the details of your case. For the court to convict you under this statute, the prosecutor must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- You knew of the alleged perpetrator’s plan to commit a crime
- You intentionally and willfully encourage or facilitate their plan
- You aided, promoted, or instigated the crime
Even if your involvement in the crime occurs in advance, the law considers your involvement critical to the final commission of the crime. The person who aids or abets a crime is regarded as the principal to that crime and is subject to the same consequences as the actual perpetrator. However, the prosecutor must demonstrate that you are the natural and probable consequence of the crime.
Animal Abuse and Cruelty
The law against animal abuse and cruelty, under PC 597, prohibits any malicious harming, killing, torturing, or maiming of living animals. This law seeks to protect all animals, including domesticated pets, stray animals, companion animals, farm animals, and wild animals. The elements of this offense, which constitute its legal definition, include the following:
- You maimed, tortured, mutilated, wounded, or killed a living animal
- You did so maliciously
Torturing an animal means acting or failing to act in a manner that causes an animal to suffer unnecessary physical pain.
Maiming an animal means disfiguring or disabling an animal permanently, by depriving it of an essential part of its body, such as an organ or limb.
Your actions must be malicious for the court to find you guilty of animal abuse and cruelty. You act maliciously when you intentionally do something wrong, even after knowing the grave consequences of your actions.
This crime is a wobbler, meaning that the prosecutor can charge it as a misdemeanor or felony.
A conviction for a misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $20,000 in court fines, while a felony conviction is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and $20,000 in court fines. You could be granted probation instead of a jail or prison sentence, meaning you will serve your sentence on probation but under strict conditions. The judge may order you to undergo a mental evaluation and treatment while on probation.
A felony conviction for animal abuse and cruelty can result in more consequences, including the loss of your gun rights.
Aiding a Suicide
California law, under PC 401, makes it a crime to assist or encourage another person to commit suicide. However, there are exceptions to this law, for example, the End of Life Option Act, which allows physicians to prescribe medication to end a life in case of severe suffering. The prosecutor must prove the following elements for a court to find you guilty of aiding a suicide:
- A person committed suicide.
- You deliberately advised, aided, or encouraged them to do it
If you aid a person in committing suicide, but they fail while attempting it, you are not guilty of aiding a suicide. However, you can be charged with attempting to assist a suicide.
Although committing suicide is not, in itself, a crime in California, you can be charged with a failed suicide attempt in the case of a suicide pact. This occurs when two or more people agree to commit suicide through a single means of death. In this case, you can be charged with assisting a suicide if you enter such a pact and survive while the other participants die.
Aiding a suicide is a felony offense, punishable by the following:
- 16 months, two or three years in prison
- Felony probation
- A court fine of $10,000
A conviction under this law results in other consequences, including a damaging criminal record and loss of your gun rights.
Bribery
Bribery means giving, offering, or taking something valuable with a corrupt intent to influence a person in an official or public capacity unlawfully. There are various bribery laws under California law, which apply differently to different perpetrators, according to the details of their case.
For example, PC 67 and PC 68 prohibit the bribery of an executive officer. “Executive officers,” in this context, refer to government officials who exercise discretion in serving the public. These include district attorneys and law enforcement officers.
PC 85 and PC 86 prohibit the bribery of legislators, including state legislators, members of county and city legislative bodies, and members of school district legislative bodies.
PC 92 and PC 93 make it a crime to bribe a judicial officer, including a judge, juror, or any other authorized person in a legal matter.
PC 137 and PC 138 make it unlawful to bribe or be bribed by a witness in a criminal case.
PC 165 prohibits the bribery of a member of the county board of supervisors. Examples of such members include members of common councils, members of city or county boards of trustees, and members of boards of trustees of public corporations.
According to these statutes, the legal definition of a bribe is as follows:
- A valuable item, or something with a significant present or future value that is given or promised to another person, like gratuity or a kickback
- The item is offered or accepted for corruption
- It is offered, given, or accepted as an unlawful influence on the person who receives it in an official or public capacity.
You act with a corrupt intent if you hope to wrongfully gain from your actions, whether financially or through an unfair advantage.
Note: The person who offers a bribe and the person who accepts a bribe are both culpable under the bribery laws.
Also, it does not matter if you actually received or gave the bribe. Simply thinking about it and acting on it (asking or offering) is enough to get a conviction.
Bribery is generally a felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The exact sentence you receive after conviction depends on the circumstances of your case and your criminal history. The judge can sentence you to probation in place of prison and set strict probation conditions which you must abide by. You will be under the supervision of a probation officer, who will submit periodic reports regarding your performance to the court.
Commercial Bribery
Commercial bribery is treated differently from other forms of corruption under California law. Commercial bribery, under PC 641.3. Occurs when an employee accepts a bribe of more than $250 to use their position to benefit the person offering the bribe. This law promotes transparency and fairness in the workplace by ensuring that all employees make decisions based on merit, not personal gain. If a bribe influences your actions as an employee, you can be arrested and charged with commercial bribery. However, the prosecutor must prove these elements beyond a reasonable doubt to get a conviction:
- You are an employee in a particular company or organization
- You solicited or accepted something valuable (whose value is $250 or more) from another person, who is not your employer
- You had a corrupt intent and did so without the consent or knowledge of your employer
- You accepted the bribe in exchange for using your position to benefit the other person
Acting with a corrupt intent means acting purposely to defraud or injure another person. This person can be your employer, the employer of the person offering the bribe, or a competitor in the business you represent.
You are liable under this law if you accept a bribe or offer a bribe to an employee.
Commercial bribery is a wobbler offense, meaning that you can face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the amount or exact value of the bribe. A misdemeanor charge applies if the bribe is valued at $ 1,000 or less. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you could be sentenced to up to 1 year in jail.
A felony occurs if the bribe exceeds $1,000. This is punishable by up to 3 years in prison.
Extortion
The crime of extortion occurs when you use threats or force to compel a person to hand over their money or property, or a public officer, to perform an official act in your favor, or to give up their money or property. According to PC 518, the elements of this offense are as follows:
- You threatened a person to commit an unlawful injury or use force against them, their property, or a third person, or
- You threatened to accuse a person of a crime, or a member of their family, or
- You threatened to expose a person’s secret that involves them, their family, or a secret that connects them to a particular crime, scandal, or disgrace.
- When you made this threat or used force on the person, you intended to force them into consenting to hand over their money or property to you, or to do a particular official act.
- Due to the threat, the alleged victim consented to do as you wished (they handed over their money or property, or committed the official act in your favor)
The primary element of this case is the specific intent, which means that you acted with a desire to commit a crime and with the intent to achieve a particular result.
Threatening a person means putting a person in reasonable fear for their safety. It is not necessary that the person incurred an actual injury. However, the threat should be the controlling reason for the person’s consent to your demands.
Consent means that the person gave what you asked for willingly and freely, even though it was a coerced consent.
Extortion is a felony offense, punishable by four years in prison and a maximum court fine of $10,000.
Resisting Arrest
PC 148(a)(1) makes it a misdemeanor offense to willfully resist, obstruct, or delay a peace officer while the officer is performing their official duty. Peace officers are law enforcement officers who perform specific services for the public. They include law enforcement officers, EMTs, firefighters, and animal control officers. Any objection they receive while performing their official duties is considered a violation under the law.
If you resist an arrest, a law enforcement officer can write you a citation under PC 148, or PC 148(a)(1). However, the prosecutor must prove the elements of this crime beyond a reasonable doubt for the court to find you guilty. These elements include the following:
- You resisted, obstructed, or delayed a peace officer
- You did so when the officer was performing their official duties
- You knew or should have reasonably known that the person was a peace officer and that they were performing their duty
- You acted willfully
Acting willfully means that your actions were deliberate or purposeful. However, it does not mean that you intended to harm the officer or anyone else, to break the law, or to gain an advantage over the officer.
Resisting arrest is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. However, the judge can sentence you to probation for up to 3 years, allowing you to serve your sentence from home. They will set some probation conditions by which you must adhere during probation.
Note: In Los Angeles, prosecutors file charges for resisting arrest in specific circumstances, including the following:
- If you repeat the offense within 24 months
- If you use physical force against an officer on duty
- The charge is part of another crime
How Criminal Defense Attorneys Help in These Other Cases
Having a criminal attorney by your side is advisable when you face criminal charges, whether for a misdemeanor or a felony. Their advice, support, and defense can influence the outcome of your case. Several benefits come with having an attorney from the beginning of your legal process. Some of these benefits include:
Protecting Your Civil Rights
An arrest comes with a lot of confusion and anxiety. This could cause you to make mistakes that could worsen your case, including saying things that are incriminating. You may also be quick to confess or offer details to the police that could be used against you during the trial. Having an attorney protects you from all this and more. Your attorney will ensure you understand your civil rights, including your right to remain silent when asked questions by the police. Your attorney will answer questions on your behalf in a safe manner that will not get you into more trouble.
They will ensure that the police have probable cause for your arrest, an arrest warrant, and a search warrant for any search and seizure. They will also ensure that you are not forced, tricked, or coerced into confessing.
Investigating The Case
As the police investigate the police, an attorney can also conduct an independent investigation to understand the circumstances of your case. This gives them evidence to counter the prosecutor’s case during the trial. An independent investigation also helps them identify loopholes or inconsistencies in the police case, which could support a motion to dismiss.
If, during the investigation, your attorney finds out that the prosecutor’s case is strong, they can plan another strategy for a favorable outcome, such as a plea deal. This can result in a more lenient conviction, with less severe penalties and consequences.
Negotiating a Plea Deal
Plea deals are agreements entered into by the prosecution and defense teams that ensure that both parties are satisfied with the outcome of a case. A plea deal is beneficial to you because it results in a more lenient charge than the one you are already facing. Prosecutors offer or agree to plea deals to close cases, especially cases whose outcomes are uncertain.
Your attorney can suggest a plea deal if they feel that it can benefit you in the end. A prosecutor can offer a plea deal if they are uncertain of the outcome. Your attorney can negotiate for a favorable plea deal that will result in minimal impact on your life.
Representing You in Court
You need legal representation if your case goes to trial. Although you can represent yourself, it can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with such processes. You could also incriminate yourself or make a mistake that further compromises your situation. A skilled attorney is perfect for legal representation. A private attorney who has your best interests in mind will do their best to ensure that the court process serves your interests.
They will prepare and file the required paperwork on time and represent you in all hearings and trials until the final verdict is out.
Fighting Your Charges
A criminal defense attorney will also defend you against the charges you face. They will review your case at the start of the legal process to determine the best defense strategies they can use for a favorable outcome. They can use strategies that will counter the prosecutor’s allegations or a plan that will result in the dismissal of part of the evidence brought against you. Their goal during the trial is to weaken the prosecutor’s case or make it difficult for them to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt.
An attorney can also introduce mitigating factors during the trial to convince the court to rule the matter in your favor. If the prosecutor’s case is strong, a mitigating factor may result in a favorable verdict.
Offering Counsel and Support
Court processes in criminal cases can drag on for weeks, months, or years. You need support and advice to remain strong and focused, and to avoid mistakes before the conclusion of your case. An attorney will be with you from the start to the end of your case, offering the support and guidance you need before the final verdict is out.
Find a Competent Criminal Attorney Near Me
Do you or someone you love face criminal charges in Los Angeles?
Whether you face a misdemeanor or a felony charge, you need legal help and support to achieve a favorable verdict. Hiring a skilled attorney immediately after your arrest is advisable. They will investigate your case, help you understand your legal situation and possible verdicts, and discuss your legal options. An attorney will also plan your defense and defend your rights against violations.
We handle all kinds of criminal cases at Leah Legal Criminal Defense Attorney. We take up the matter immediately upon engaging you to ensure that you are prepared for all court processes. We also use the best defense to fight for a favorable verdict. Call us at 213-444-7818 and let us work together for the best possible outcome in your case.
