At the Killedjian Law Corporation, we aggressively defend the rights of individuals charged with serious crimes in state and federal courts. Some of the cases we frequently handle on behalf of our clients include:
Fighting a Criminal Case in LA County Starting at the moment you are arrested, everything you do should be focused on preparing your defense. While most people think of criminal cases being won or lost at trial, the reality is that most cases are resolved well before a judge swears the jury in. Thus, pre-trial advocacy is critical and cannot be overlooked. At the Killedjian Law Corporation, our Sherman Oaks criminal defense lawyer aggressively starts defending you from the moment you bring us aboard your case. Below are a few of the ways that we have been successful in resolving our clients’ cases, keeping them out of jail, and minimizing the impact the case has on their lives.
Negotiation with Prosecutors When prosecutors review a police report to determine what charges to bring, they think in terms of what they can prove; not necessarily what’s right. Often, prosecutors charge many different crimes that are very similar based on a single incident. This can greatly increase your exposure which, in turn, affects the type of plea agreement you may be willing to consider.
Melanie Killedjian has been a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles for more than 23 years. Over this time, she’s garnered the respect of prosecutors and leverages these relationships in her clients’ favor. She often has success reaching out to prosecutors in advance of a preliminary hearing, getting them to drop unnecessary or duplicative charges. This puts you in a much better position should you decide to consider a plea agreement.
Motions to Suppress A motion to suppress is a pre-trial motion in which you ask the court to keep certain evidence out of trial. While there are many grounds for a motion to suppress, most involve a police officer violating your rights. For example, an experienced defense lawyer may be able to suppress physical evidence, such as a gun or drugs, or statements you made to detectives without the benefit of your Miranda warnings.
When a court grants your motion to suppress, the prosecution is left without important evidence it may need to prove its case. This often results in the DA extending a very reasonable plea agreement or withdrawing the case altogether. And, in the event your case still goes to trial, you will be in a much better position because the government will not be able to use the evidence against you.
Diversionary Programs Those with no criminal record (or a minimal record) may qualify for a diversionary program. A diversionary program is designed to divert certain people out of the criminal justice system, giving them a chance to resolve their cases without a conviction ending up on their record. There are various diversionary programs available in Los Angeles County, all of which require you to comply with certain terms, much like probation. If you complete the program, you may be able to avoid a conviction altogether
When it comes to defending a criminal case in Los Angeles, an attorney needs to be able to think outside the box. Certainly, trial offers a last resort to obtain a not guilty. However, why put yourself through the stress of a trial if you can avoid it?
When Should I Hire a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney? The best time to hire a criminal defense attorney after being arrested in Los Angeles is as soon as possible. In most cases, this is right after you are arrested; however, if you learn you are under investigation, you should want to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. While an attorney can certainly help advance your case at any stage of the process, the earlier in the process you bring a lawyer aboard your case, the better.
Are You Facing Criminal Charges in Los Angeles? If you were recently arrested and charged with a crime in Los Angeles, reach out to the Southern California criminal defense lawyers at Killedjian Law Corporation. At Killedjian Law Corporation, we have more than 20 years of experience aggressively defending our clients’ rights in all types of cases. We understand what an arrest means for your life, your family’s life, and your future together and will do everything possible to ensure that your case has as little impact on your future as possible. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with Sherman Oaks criminal defense attorney Melanie Killedjian at the Killedjuan Law Corporation, call 818-986-0888 today. You can also connect with us through our online contact form .