North Hollywood Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

Our North Hollywood Office is located at:

Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
North Hollywood Criminal Defense Attorneys and DUI Lawyers

North Hollywood Criminal Defense Lawyer

North Hollywood is a neighborhood in the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Originally established by the Lankershim Ranch Land and Water Company in 1887, it has evolved over the years into an artsy neighborhood. North Hollywood is known for its playhouses, theaters, art galleries, and the NoHo Arts District. North Hollywood has a young population. The 2000 census showed that the average age of NoHo residents was 30. The neighborhood also had one of the highest percentages of residents aged 19 to 34 in all of Los Angeles County.

In the unfortunate event that you have been accused of a crime in North Hollywood, it’s critical that you retain legal counsel immediately. Criminal convictions can have a negative impact on nearly every aspect of your life, and you should do everything you can to protect your future. To schedule a free case evaluation with criminal defense attorney in North Hollywood, call our office today.

Here is some helpful information about local services in North Hollywood:
North Hollywood Community Police Station
Los Angeles Police Department
11640 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-754-8300 Voice
818-756-9035 TDD/TTY

North Hollywood West Neighborhood Council
12814 Victory Blvd., #101
North Hollywood, CA 91606
Telephone: (818) 446-6469

North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Library
5211 Tujunga Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Telephone: 818-766-7185

North Hollywood Attractions
GRAMMY Museum
800 W Olympic Boulevard
LOS ANGELES, CA 90015
Telephone: (213) 725-5700

Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs
Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027
Telephone: (323) 644-2050

Lankershim Arts Center
5108 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Telephone: (818) 752-7568

Crime in North Hollywood
Crime Grade has found North Hollywood to have a high crime rating. It is in the 85th percentile, meaning that 85 percent of American cities have less crime and only 15 percent of U.S. cities have more crime. A crime occurs on average every 65 minutes in North Hollywood. High crime rates can lead to more mistakes in police work. Under the pressure of dealing with a large number of crimes, the police might arrest the wrong suspect, make errors in search warrants and other critical paperwork, or even resort to physical violence in an effort to maintain order in the city. Criminal defendants have the right to be defended from these mistakes. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley have helped many defendants fight back against improper police procedures.

Courthouses in North Hollywood
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Hollywood Courthouse
5925 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Telephone: (323) 441-1800

Common Misdemeanor Charges
There are many misdemeanors identified in the California Penal Code. The experienced defense lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley have handled all types of misdemeanor cases. Some of the most common misdemeanors include:

• Traffic offenses (reckless driving, first-time DUI, driving on a suspended license, etc.)
• Property offenses (trespassing, vandalism, or other damage)
• Minor theft (shoplifting, fraud, bad checks for small amounts)
• Offenses against public order (disturbing the peace, gathering without a permit, indecent exposure, possession of small amounts of drugs, prostitution, etc.)
• Offenses against another person (minor assaults and batteries, violating a restraining order)

Most misdemeanors have a sentencing range set by statute in the Penal Code. For those that do not have a set sentence, the maximum penalty is six months in jail and a fine of $1000. Keep in mind that some misdemeanors have higher sentences than this. It is also important to remember that even a misdemeanor conviction can carry collateral consequences in immigration, employment, housing, parenting rights, and other aspects of your daily life.

Common Felony Charges
The California Penal Code also identifies many felonies. Often, a felony is simply a more serious version of the same misdemeanor. For example, petty theft involves a small amount of value, but larceny and grand larceny involve the theft of larger amounts of money (or more expensive items). A reckless driving misdemeanor could turn into a felony of vehicular manslaughter if the driver kills someone. These felonies carry more serious penalties than their misdemeanor counterparts. A person convicted of a felony can be sentenced to felony probation, county jail, or state prison. The length of the sentence will depend on the type of crime committed, the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), and any aggravating and mitigating circumstances that the court finds. A criminal defense attorney can do much to mitigate your felony sentence. After a conviction, there is time before the sentencing hearing, and this allows your attorney to respond to the prosecution’s presentencing report. It also gives your lawyer a chance to convince the court that you deserve a lower sentence.

There are also felonies that have no similar misdemeanor charge, including:

• Homicide (first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter)
• Rape and sexual battery
• Sex crimes involving minors
• Hate crimes
• Distribution of drugs
• Obstruction of justice and perjury

Not only do these felonies carry lengthy prison terms, but they are also subject to California’s harsh “Three Strikes” law. This law was enacted in 1994 during a political climate in which it was important to be tough on crime. Under the law, a defendant who was convicted of a second serious felony received a sentence twice as long as the crime’s usual sentence. If the conviction was a third felony, the mandatory sentence was 25 years to life in prison. Voters softened this law a bit in 2012. Now, a third conviction must be for a serious or violent felony in order to trigger the “25 years to life” sentence. This law also allows those currently serving “third strike” prison terms to petition the court to lower their sentence to a second strike term if the new law would have prevented third strike sentencing in their case. While a second strike sentence is still double the initial sentence for the same crime, this new rule can cut years or even decades off of a third strike sentence.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a North Hollywood Criminal Defense Lawyer
Search “best lawyers near me” to read some of the great reviews our clients have given the Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our experienced North Hollywood criminal defense lawyers have helped many defendants protect their constitutional rights at all stages of investigation, charging, litigation, sentencing, and even on appeal. Call (213) 341-4427 or contact us online today to schedule your case review. The sooner you have a North Hollywood criminal defense lawyer fighting on your side, the better protected your legal rights will be.