Criminal Defense FAQs

Bail is money that you pay in order to be released from jail pending the outcome of your criminal matter.

Bailing out often refers to the process by which bail funds are posted, or promised, for the purpose of being released from custody. If bail is not met or promised at or before the arraignment, then a defendant will appear before a court in custody. At arraignment, the bail amount can remain the same, be increased or reduced depending on the circumstances. Unless an individual in custody who has not posted bail is able to convince a court to be released without bail, the defendant shall remain in jail until the bail amount is posted or until the next court date.

Yes, if you have been involved in a criminal case, even if you are completely innocent, you should still seek the counsel of an attorney. Your future is too important to leave to chance.

Yes, there are situations where the police can perform a search without a warrant. These include if you give them consent, if an area or evidence is clearly visible (Plain View Doctrine), if the search is in connection with an arrest, or in exigent circumstances. The attorneys at Karagozian & Rudolph feel that if the government did a search on you with or without a warrant, it needed to be done right and will investigate every angle of that search to determine if there is any defense. If you feel that your rights were violated, please contact us.

Felonies and misdemeanors carry different possible consequences. Felonies are crimes with a potential penalty of more than one year in prison (e.g. armed robbery). Misdemeanors are crimes that potentially carry a sentence of not more than one year in jail. (e.g. petty theft). If you are unsure if you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, please contact us.

If you have been arrested, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to have this issue handled professionally and to make sure your rights are protected.

No. If you have been arrested, you have the right to remain silent and you have the right to an attorney. Do not speak to police without legal counsel present because anything that is said can be used against you.. Any statement youmake may also be taken out of context and wrongfully misinterpreted. If you have been arrested, please immediately contact a criminal defense attorney.

A preliminary hearing is the first stage of the court process.

At this point in the case, you will have had an opportunity to meet with your lawyer in order to discuss your side of the story and make some decisions about how you want to move forward in your situation. He or she will also guide you through these initial stages of understanding what happens next in this process.

During a preliminary hearing, both sides (or their lawyers) tell their stories and provide information about documents they think are relevant for proving their case. During this proceeding, both sides will be given time to present any evidence they want the judge to consider when deciding whether or not they should issue an injunction that would force one side or another into action.

After an arrest, the police must give you your Miranda warnings before questioning you while in custody. Your MirandaRights are “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”

If you believe your Miranda Rights were violated, please contact Karagozian & Rudolph.

Driving under the influence (DUI) in Los Angeles, CA, attracts jail time. However, you won’t have to go to jail for a first-time conviction. Instead, you will be guided to pay a fine, take an alcohol and drug education course, and avoid getting arrested for others cases when the case is on. You can also serve the judge’s other sentencing terms, such as community several.

The only time the judge will recommend jail or remand for the first-time DIU offense is when you fail to complete the non-jail penalties or violate the probation terms.

License suspension is a dreaded DUI penalty. You can successfully challenge the suspension within ten days after arrest then work to avoid another DUI conviction from court. However, you won’t have to get your license suspended for the first-time offense. However, you won’t have to get your license suspended for the first-time violation.

If you fail to challenge your suspension, you automatically get a six-month license suspension in California. After which, you have to serve either an IID restricted license or a restricted license, which comes with different provisions.

There are several viable defenses you can use against DUI. Some of the top options include; faulty testing equipment if the breathalyzer used is not well maintained, old, or has unreliable results. You can also challenge inaccurate roadside tests such as reciting the alphabet backward or touching your nose from an extended arm in court. Another option is to cite police misconduct as a defense.

Most people are never sure whether to confide in their lawyers when they are guilty, fearing failing to get represented. However, the truth is that a lawyer is obliged to represent any client, both presumed guilty or innocent.

It’s not in the lawyer’s position to determine whether the accused is guilty. They are never even sure if the accused has provided the total truth in most cases. Therefore, the lawyer must mount a vigorous defense and allow the judge and the jury the power to pass the accused as either guilty or innocent.

Seeing a lawyer is the first recommended step anytime you feel you are a suspect to the police. Do not risk it even when you are sure that you are innocent. While it might seem easier to talk to the police and enter into a plea at times, you might still face jail time. Some people have spent time in jail even though they are innocent. So keep safe by contacting a reputable lawyer immediately.