LA Criminal Defense Lawyers - Cron, Israels & Stark
If you are facing criminal allegations, securing immediate and powerful legal representation is essential to protecting your constitutional rights, your reputation, and your freedom.
At Cron, Israels & Stark, our criminal defense attorneys provide aggressive legal advocacy for individuals in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and throughout Southern California.
From initial arrest and law enforcement interrogations to preliminary hearings, plea negotiations, and jury trials, our legal team delivers the dedicated defense strategy required to navigate state and federal criminal courts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What steps should I take if I'm arrested?
If you are arrested in California, immediately exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and request an attorney. Do not resist arrest or attempt to explain your situation to law enforcement, as any statements made can be used by prosecutors to build a criminal case against you. State your basic identifying information, clearly inform officers that you will not answer questions without defense counsel present, and contact a criminal lawyer at the earliest opportunity.
What does the court consider to be a probation violation?
A probation violation occurs when a defendant fails to comply with the specific conditions set by the sentencing judge. Common probation violations include:
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Failing to complete court-ordered programs (such as anger management, DUI school, or drug rehabilitation).
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Failing to appear at a scheduled court date (bench warrant issued).
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Failing to report to a probation officer or submit to court-ordered drug testing.
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Getting arrested or committing a new criminal offense while on active probation.
Does it matter if the officer didn't read my rights?
Yes. Under the Miranda v. Arizona doctrine, if law enforcement officers place you in custody and conduct an interrogation without reading your Miranda Rights, any self-incriminating statements obtained during that interrogation may be ruled inadmissible as evidence. While a failure to read your rights does not automatically drop all criminal charges, your defense attorney can file a Motion to Suppress Evidence to exclude your statements from the prosecution's case.
Can I appeal my criminal conviction?
Yes, defendants convicted of a crime have the right to file an appeal if legal or procedural errors infected the trial process. Grounds for a criminal appeal include:
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Misapplication or misinterpretation of state or federal law by the prosecutor.
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Improper admission of prejudicial or unconstitutionally obtained evidence.
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Prosecutorial misconduct, such as withholding exculpatory evidence (Brady violations).
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Improper or misleading jury instructions provided by the trial judge.
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Imposition of an illegal or unconstitutionally severe sentence.
What's the point of fighting my DUI?
You should always challenge a DUI charge because law enforcement officers must strictly adhere to constitutional standards and standardized protocol during traffic stops, field sobriety tests (FSTs), and chemical testing (breathalyzer or blood tests). A skilled DUI defense lawyer can challenge the legality of the initial traffic stop, expose calibrated equipment errors, challenge blood sample chain of custody, and protect your driver's license from automatic DMV suspension.
Why should I hire a private lawyer rather than use a public defender?
While public defenders are qualified attorneys, they often carry extreme case overloads that limit the time and resources they can devote to your defense. Enlisting a private criminal defense attorney ensures focused attention, independent evidence collection, private investigator deployment, and direct communication throughout the legal process—providing the comprehensive strategy needed when your freedom is on the line.
Is there a way to punish a criminal before he actually commits the crime?
Under criminal law, an individual can be prosecuted for an attempted crime if they possess specific intent to commit an offense and take a direct, overt step beyond mere preparation toward completing it. Under the Penal Code and state statutes, attempted offenses (such as attempted robbery or attempted murder) carry legal penalties designed to deter dangerous conduct, though sentences are frequently lesser than those for completed offenses.
Are all illegal drugs treated equally when it comes to punishing drug dealers?
No. Penalties for drug distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking depend on the chemical classification of the controlled substance under federal and state schedules, as well as the quantity involved. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, base offense levels vary significantly by drug type; for example, federal sentencing thresholds for crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine dictate vastly different prison sentences even for identical physical weights.
Can a person be guilty of drunk driving if he only had one drink?
Yes. Drunk driving statutes generally establish guilt under two distinct standards:
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Per Se DUI: Driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit (typically 0.08%).
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Impairment DUI: Driving while your physical or mental capabilities are impaired by alcohol or drugs, regardless of your actual BAC. If a single drink impairs your driving ability or performance on field sobriety tests, a jury can convict you under impairment standards.
What is the role of the federal government in criminal law?
While general police power rests with individual states, the federal government prosecutes crimes tied to constitutional powers under the Commerce Clause, Postal Clause, or Taxing Authority. Federal criminal law focuses on multi-state operations, financial crimes (RICO Act, bank fraud, tax evasion), cybercrimes, and interstate drug trafficking. Federal investigations involve agencies like the FBI, DEA, and IRS, carrying stricter sentencing guidelines and no parole in the federal prison system.
Are grand jury proceedings secret?
Yes. Federal and state grand jury proceedings operate under strict secrecy rules governing prosecutors, grand jurors, and court personnel to protect witness safety and non-public investigations. However, secrecy rules generally do not apply to grand jury witnesses, who remain free to discuss their testimony publicly unless bound by specific court gag orders. Subjects under grand jury investigation are not entitled to defense attorney presence inside the grand jury room.
Are there special crimes to control children's behavior?
Juvenile justice systems handle minor offenders under delinquent act adjudications focused on education and rehabilitation rather than adult criminal punishment. Historical "status offenses"—acts that are only illegal due to a minor's age (such as truancy, running away, or curfew violations)—have largely been decriminalized under the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, shifting such matters to family services or child protective agencies.
What is the difference between probation and parole?
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Probation: A court-ordered alternative to incarceration imposed at sentencing, allowing the convicted individual to remain in the community under judicial supervision and specific conditions.
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Parole: A conditional release granted by a parole board to an inmate after serving a portion of their prison sentence, allowing them to complete the remaining sentence term under community supervision.
How does a district attorney decide which criminals to charge?
District attorneys and prosecutors exercise broad prosecutorial discretion when filing criminal charges. Prosecutors evaluate:
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Evidentiary Sufficiency: Whether reliable, admissible evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt without constitutional defects.
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Case Priorities: Office resources, seriousness of the offense, victim input, and public safety emphasis (e.g., prioritizing violent crimes over minor property offenses).
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Alternative Dispositions: Appropriateness of diversion programs, mental health courts, or plea bargaining.
What is the difference between rape and sexual assault?
Historically, common-law rape was narrowly defined as forced intercourse committed by a man against a woman not his wife. Modern penal codes have replaced or expanded these definitions using broader sexual assault and sexual abuse statutes. These gender-neutral laws cover non-consensual intercourse, unwanted sexual contact, spousal sexual assault, and offenses involving victims incapable of consent due to age or intoxication.
Core Practice Areas in Criminal Law
Criminal law encompasses statutory regulations, constitutional protections, and judicial precedents established to address alleged criminal conduct:
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Drug Crimes: Federal and state violations covering possession, possession with intent to distribute, manufacturing, and interstate drug trafficking.
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DUI / DWI Defense: Misdemeanor and felony prosecutions for driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit substances.
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Federal Crimes & Jurisdiction: High-stakes cases investigated by federal agencies (FBI, DEA, Homeland Security) and prosecuted in U.S. District Courts.
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Felonies vs. Misdemeanors: Misdemeanors carry maximum penalties of up to one year in county jail, whereas felonies carry sentences exceeding one year in state prison or federal penitentiaries.
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White-Collar Offenses: Non-violent financial offenses, including mail fraud, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, embezzlement, securities violations, and money laundering.
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RICO & Organized Crime: Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act charges targeting alleged ongoing criminal enterprises.
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Victims' Rights & Asset Forfeiture: Legal representation involving constitutional rights of victims, restitution orders, and defense against government property seizures.
Schedule a Confidential Legal Consultation Today
If you or a loved one are under criminal investigation or facing active charges in California, immediate legal representation is vital. Contact Cron, Israels & Stark today to discuss your defense options during a completely confidential case evaluation.