MANHATTAN BEACH CRIMINAL DEFENSE
As a Manhattan Beach defense attorney, I frequently represent clients within the city of Manhattan Beach and surrounding areas. I am also a South Bay resident who is very familiar with the local police department, as well as the prosecutors and judges responsible for the area. Below is some additional information regarding how Manhattan Beach defendants are arrested and prosecuted.
The city of Manhattan Beach is patrolled by its own police department. The Manhattan Beach Police Department is one of the most well funded police agencies in Los Angeles County. The department is located in the heart of downtown Manhattan Beach at 420 15th Street. Manhattan Beach is considered to be one of the safest areas of Los Angeles County and this is reflected in a comparatively low crime rate when contrasted with surrounding areas. Because of the low crime rate, a greater emphasis is placed on property crimes like burglary or theft in Manhattan Beach. Approximately 66% of crime in Manhattan Beach is classified as larceny or theft crimes. Burglaries in Manhattan Beach include both commercial burglaries as well as residential burglaries. City statistics show that about 80% of burglaries in the area are classified as residential burglaries. Manhattan Beach DUIs are also aggressively policed and the department will occasionally set up Manhattan Beach DUI checkpoints in the area. While Manhattan Beach violent crime rates are quite low compared to the rest of the county, this can often result in greater resources being put forth when allegations such as domestic violence or sexual assault arise in the area. If you or a loved one is arrested by the Manhattan Beach police, it is crucial to contact a Manhattan Beach defense attorney as quickly as possible. This is not a department where allegations will slip through the cracks. They can and will aggressively investigate any reported crimes in the area.
If you are arrested in Manhattan Beach, then it is highly likely that your case will then be referred to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. The LADA office is the largest prosecutorial agency in the nation. They are responsible for prosecuting all felonies in Los Angeles County and they also prosecute the majority of Manhattan Beach misdemeanors. As a Manhattan Beach criminal defense lawyer, I have firsthand experience with the importance of obtaining an attorney before the first court date. Often, there is additional information that can be submitted to the prosecutors before your arraignment that may aid in your defense or may aid in the case being rejected. The analogy that I would make is that it can be easier to keep a knot from being tied rather than later attempting to untie the knot. I have had repeated success in preventing charges from being filed in Manhattan Beach through aggressive intervention before a filing decision has been made.
If a criminal case is ultimately filed against you or a loved one in Manhattan Beach, the case will be heard in the Torrance Courthouse. The Torrance Courthouse is located at 825 Maple Avenue in the city of Torrance. The courthouse is responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases for cities such as Redondo Beach, Gardena, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, and many other municipalities.
Manhattan Beach is part of the South Bay area where I have both my home and business. As a former district attorney for Los Angeles County, the Torrance Courthouse was one of my primary assignments and it is where I regularly appear as a local defense lawyer. It is the courthouse where I have more cases than any other location. Because of my extensive background in the area, I am extremely familiar with the prosecutors, judges, and juries of the South Bay area. This knowledge allows me to make strategic decisions to benefit my clients at every step of the process. Your freedom and reputation are your most important possessions and you owe it to yourself or your loved ones to hire a local Manhattan Beach criminal attorney who knows the system from every angle. I look forward to speaking with you directly and providing more details about the criminal process during a free consultation.