Practice Pointers for Los Angeles Criminal Defense

Welcome to this Los Angeles criminal defense practice pointers section. Really, what this is meant to do is answer specific questions that you might have in criminal defense. In other words, many of us will encounter situations where we need help, but we come across an issue that we can't figure out. We either have an attorney already, or you're considering hiring an attorney, or you just need to know the answers to these questions.

I've been asked these questions, and I try to answer them as accurately as possible. Obviously, if you want more details related to these questions, you'll need to have a face-to-face consultation with me. I am confident that I can answer any questions you may have related to Los Angeles criminal defense and provide you with a thorough and detailed response.

Experience in the Los Angeles Criminal Defense Field

Whatever I don't know from my twenty-five years of experience — having handled thousands of cases and done 250 jury trials — I think I can probably figure out by way of doing some investigation and research — I have a whole team of attorneys that I deal with. I am familiar with nearly all the attorneys in Los Angeles County who specialize in criminal defense.

I'm very familiar with the judges. In fact, many of the judges I deal with every day used to be attorneys. Most of them were prosecutors. I'd say in Los Angeles County, probably 90% of the judges are former prosecutors. So, I've seen them out there. I've dealt with them. I've negotiated cases with them and I have a good, solid understanding of who they are, what their tendencies and what it's going to take to get the best possible resolution in your particular matter.

With these practice pointers, I'm primarily trying to provide you with a foundation for addressing whatever issue is presented in each practice pointer. In other words, I'm trying to give you a feel for it. Sometimes, it answers your question; sometimes, it doesn't provide a complete answer. Sometimes, it generates more questions.

That's why it's really important, whenever you have an issue in criminal defense, to sit down with your attorney or an attorney like me whom you're thinking about hiring and really hit them with some good, pointed questions. Obviously, I will answer the questions.

We may not have all the answers right now when it comes to these practice pointers, as sometimes we need more information. I need to review the prosecutor's case and the police investigation.

Forming a Defense Plan for Your Los Angeles Criminal Case

I need to conduct our investigation at times, and, obviously, I need to talk to you. Once all of these ingredients come together, we can then start to think about and formulate a plan that makes sense for you, your life, your career, your family, and your case.

Then we can start discussing whether we need to fight this case all the way to a jury trial or if it's a type of criminal case that requires negotiation. Believe it or not, probably 90% to 95% of criminal cases in Los Angeles that are filed are negotiated by way of a plea bargain.

So, if you already know that number, then you have a good idea that it's definitely something you want to consider and discuss with your attorney. Of course, there are those 5% to 10% of cases that will not be negotiated and will be tried.

So, you want to ensure that you have an attorney who can both negotiate cases in criminal defense and try a case under the right circumstances. That's the type of attorney that I am. That's the type of attorney that I've built myself to be through hard work, experience and really loving what I do when it comes to criminal defense.

So, pick up the phone and make the call. Making some of these practice pointers gives you a feel for what you want, but you really need to talk to the person who wrote the practice pointer. Let's sit down and get into the meat and bones of your case. Let's start making some of the moves that will protect you, your rights, your freedom, and your life.

General Information for Los Angeles Criminal Defense:

What Should You Tell a Potential Criminal Lawyer?

Let's discuss the most important things to tell a criminal defense attorney if you're considering hiring one.

When I meet with clients, I want to get the whole story – find out about them, who they are, what their career looks like, what their family situation looks like, and if they've got a criminal record; obviously, I want to know about that.

However, I also want to know what happened with the case because once I see what happened, it gives me an idea of how all the puzzle pieces will fit together.

All too often, clients want to share a wealth of information in their minds to try to defend the case from the outset. So, I'm getting a spin on the information, which doesn't help me and doesn't help the client.

So, the most important thing they can tell me is the truth from the alleged victim's perspective or the police's. What I mean by that is, what are the police and the alleged victim going to say that you did wrong? So give me their position first to see what we're up against.

So, when you're giving me all these additional details to defend yourself, I know where they fit in.

Suppose you start by giving me a bunch of information, spinning things. In that case, it makes it difficult for me to decipher what the problem is, and when people do that, what ends up happening is they're telling me the story, so here's what happened, and then they say, I don't understand, why am I charged with a crime.

I'm looking at them and thinking, ' Well, based on what you told me, I don't understand why you're being charged with a crime either. ' The problem is, you've only told me the story from your perspective.

I need first to understand the story from the other perspective, and then we can discuss it from your viewpoint, because that way I know what I'm up against. I know what they're accusing you of. I know what they say about you and can help you with your defense. So, that's the most important thing.

That is, not only telling your attorney the truth but telling them the truth from the other side's perspective.

That doesn't mean your attorney is against you; your attorney is not listening to your story and only cares about what the prosecutor, the police, or the alleged victim is saying. That means that your attorney is competent.

They want to see what they're fighting against, and if you provide all these other details and facts, they may not initially make sense to the attorney, since you've already told them what the allegations are.

They will be able to figure it out quickly; I see why he is telling me, because they want to defend themselves, and they want me to know the defense in the case.

The most crucial thing is to inform your attorney of the opposing side's position, and then you can proceed with everything. If you need the best —and I think you do —you've come to the right place. So pick up the phone now. Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding.

Related Content:

California Criminal Statute of Limitations

Practice Pointers