Are you looking for a criminal defense lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA?
At Barry P. Goldberg, we invite you to contact our office for a confidential case review with a Woodland Hills, CA criminal defense lawyer.
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Woodland Hills, a lawyer can review the evidence against you, protect your rights at every court appearance, and work toward a dismissal or a reduced charge. Our Woodland Hills, CA criminal defense lawyer examines the police report and the stop or search that led to the arrest before your first court date.
At Barry P. Goldberg, our founder has practiced in California courts for more than 40 years. Consultations are confidential, and we discuss fees during that first meeting. Contact our office to arrange one.
Criminal Defense Lawyer Woodland Hills, CA
A criminal defense lawyer represents a person accused of a crime from the investigation stage through dismissal, plea, trial, or sentencing. The work involves testing the prosecution’s evidence, enforcing constitutional protections against unlawful stops, searches, and questioning, and negotiating with the prosecutor when a negotiated outcome serves the client better than trial.
The Los Angeles Police Department made 30,431 misdemeanor and infraction arrests and 30,378 felony arrests citywide in 2022, according to City Controller arrest data. Woodland Hills is part of the City of Los Angeles, so arrests here are made by the LAPD and prosecuted in Los Angeles County courts.
Types of Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Woodland Hills
The charge determines the potential penalties, the evidence the prosecution relies on, and the defenses that may apply. Our criminal defense attorney in Woodland Hills reviews each of those factors at the start of a case.
- DUI. Driving under the influence cases often begin with a traffic stop on Ventura Boulevard or the 101. We review the reason for the stop, the field sobriety tests, and how breath or blood samples were collected and handled.
- Drug offenses. Possession, possession for sale, and transportation charges frequently depend on how officers found the substance. An unlawful search can make the evidence inadmissible.
- Assault and battery. These cases often involve conflicting accounts and limited physical evidence. Witness statements, video, and the nature of any injuries are examined closely, and self-defense may apply.
- Domestic violence. A domestic violence charge can bring a protective order that affects housing and child custody before the case is resolved. We address the criminal case and the related order together.
- Theft and shoplifting. Petty theft, grand theft, and retail theft cases depend heavily on surveillance footage and the value of the property. First-time cases may qualify for diversion.
- Weapons charges. Firearm possession and carrying charges usually follow a search of a vehicle or a home. Whether officers had a warrant, consent, or another lawful basis for that search is often the first question.
- Hit-and-run charges. Leaving the scene of a collision can be charged even when the driver did not cause the crash. The defense often focuses on what the driver knew at the moment of impact.
- Driving on a suspended license. These charges frequently follow an administrative suspension the driver was never aware of. DMV records and notice history matter.
- Probation violations. An alleged violation can lead to reinstatement of a suspended sentence. A hearing gives the defense an opportunity to explain or dispute the allegation.
- Warrants. An outstanding bench or arrest warrant can often be addressed by appearing in court with counsel rather than waiting for an arrest.
Why Choose Barry P. Goldberg as My Criminal Defense Lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA?
Trial and Appellate Experience Since 1984
Barry P. Goldberg has practiced law in California since 1984 and founded our firm in 2005. He is admitted to every California court, the federal district courts, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the bar of the United States Supreme Court. He has tried numerous cases. He has also argued before the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit, experience that matters when a trial court’s ruling has to be challenged. Our founder earned his law degree at Loyola Law School in 1984. Super Lawyers has selected him every year since 2012 and named him to its Top 100 list for Southern California in 2021. He holds a 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Service Within the Los Angeles Superior Court
Our founder has volunteered as a mediator and settlement officer for the Los Angeles Superior Court, the same court system that hears criminal cases arising in Woodland Hills. He served as president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association in 2020 and has served on its Board of Trustees.
What Is Important To Understand About Criminal Defense Cases?
Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Criminal Defense Cases
California classifies offenses by seriousness. The classification controls the potential sentence and the procedures the court follows.
- Infractions are minor violations, such as most traffic tickets, and are punished with fines rather than jail.
- Misdemeanors may carry county jail time, fines, and probation.
- Felonies carry the possibility of a state prison sentence, along with consequences for employment and housing that can last long after the case ends.
- Wobblers can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. That choice gives the defense room to argue for the lower classification.
- Suppression motions ask the court to exclude evidence obtained through an unlawful stop, search, or interrogation.
- Diversion allows some eligible defendants to complete a program in exchange for dismissal of the charge.
A criminal defense lawyer in Woodland Hills will weigh these options against the strength of the prosecution’s evidence before recommending a course of action.
What Are Important Aspects of a Criminal Defense Case?
The decisions made in the first days after an arrest frequently affect the outcome. Many of them happen before a lawyer is involved.
- You have the right to remain silent, and statements made to officers can be used as evidence.
- Release on bail or on your own recognizance depends on the charge, your record, and the court’s assessment.
- A DUI arrest triggers a separate DMV proceeding with a short deadline to request a hearing.
- A conviction can affect immigration status, professional licenses, and employment, so those consequences belong in any plea discussion.
- Some convictions can later be dismissed or sealed. That possibility bears on how a case should be resolved.
What Is The Criminal Defense Case Timeline?
Misdemeanor cases often resolve within a few months. Felony cases take longer because they pass through additional pretrial court stages before a trial date is set.
- Arrest and booking, followed by release or a bail determination
- Arraignment, where the charges are read and a plea is entered
- Discovery and pretrial conferences with the prosecutor
- Motions, plus a preliminary hearing in felony cases
- Dismissal, a plea agreement, or trial, with sentencing if there is a conviction
What Should You Bring to Your Criminal Defense Consultation?
Bring the paperwork you received at the time of the arrest or afterward. These documents allow a criminal defense attorney to evaluate the case accurately at the first meeting.
- The citation, complaint, or other charging documents
- Bail or release paperwork, including any court dates
- Property receipts or notices from the arresting agency
- Any DMV notice, if the arrest involved driving
- Names and contact information for witnesses
The consultation is confidential. We review the charges and the evidence described in your paperwork, explain the likely next steps, and discuss fees before you make any decision.
Woodland Hills Courthouses and Local Criminal Justice Resources
Arrests in Woodland Hills are made by the LAPD, and criminal cases from the San Fernando Valley are heard in Los Angeles Superior Court.
- Van Nuys West Courthouse: 14400 Erwin St. Mall, Van Nuys. The courthouse lists a criminal division among its services.
- San Fernando Courthouse: 900 Third St., San Fernando. It handles misdemeanor and felony intake for the North Valley District.
- Topanga Community Police Station: 21501 Schoenborn St., Canoga Park. This LAPD station covers Woodland Hills, Canoga Park, West Hills, and Winnetka.
Reach Out to Barry P. Goldberg to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a family member has been arrested, our Woodland Hills criminal defense lawyer can review the charges and explain your options before your next court date. We will go over the charging documents and the evidence described in them with you. At Barry P. Goldberg, fees are discussed during the consultation, before you make any commitment. Contact us to arrange a confidential meeting.