We understand that any arrest and criminal charge can be a very serious, life altering event. We know the system; we know the players. We do everything possible to achieve outstanding results for our clients. Your case is important to you, so it is important to us.
WE PROVIDE OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATION FOR ALL FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS IN BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS.
We have experience to achieve excellent results in the following areas of
CRIMINAL LAW:
• driving under the influence ("DUI")
• vehicular manslaughter
• vehicular crimes (driving with no license, hit-and-run)
• attempted murder and murder
• robbery, theft, shoplifting
• sex crimes (prostitution, lewd conduct, rape, etc.)
• drug possession, drug use and related violations
• domestic violence
• assault & battery
• weapons possession
• matters in juvenile court
• outstanding warrants
• expungements
• probation and parole violations
• bail reduction
SETTING BAIL: We can help arrange bail and/or lower bail at a court hearing to get our clients out of jail sooner.
NOTABLE RESULTS Criminal Cases:
People v. Christopher D.
Los Angeles Superior Court - Van Nuys Courthouse: Client charged with five criminal charges stemming from a fight including battery, terrorist threats, brandishing a weapon, possession of an illegal weapon. Prosecutor's last offer to Client was 10 days of community service work. Client did not accept offer. The case went to jury trial. Result: NOT GUILTY verdict as to all five counts. Client walked out of court a free man.
People v. Sun S.
Los Angeles Superior Court - Van Nuys Courthouse: Client was charged with receiving stolen property relating to the sale of musical equipment. Prior to trial, the prosecutor offered the Client 30 days of Cal Trans work. The Client rejected the offer and wanted to go to trial. The jury heard testimony from over 10 witnesses and saw numerous documents. The jury deliberated for 1½ days. Result: NOT GUILTY VERDICT. The Client walked out of court a free man!
People v. Enrique A.
Los Angeles Superior Court - San Fernando Courthouse: Client charged with two counts of attempted murder arising out of an alleged shooting. Chris Ghahreman personally interviewed over 15 witnesses and collected numerous pieces of evidence pointing to Client's innocence. Mr. Ghahreman presented all evidence and arguments to the District Attorney prior to trial. Result: D.A. DISMISSED ALL CHARGES shortly before trial. Client walked out of court a free man!
People v. S. R.
Los Angeles Superior Court - San Fernando Courthouse: Client charged with felony vehicular homicide of a 13-year old girl and lesser related charges arising from a car crash on the 118 Freeway. Mr. Ghahreman spent three weeks in jury trial. The prosecutor put on a very strong case. Evidence was presented at trial that client was driving 100 miles per hour just before the car crash. Result: jury could not come to a unanimous verdict; the jury split 8 To 4 for ACQUITTAL as to the most serious felony charge. CLIENT RECEIVED NO JAIL TIME.
People v. Bob G.
Los Angeles Superior Court - Long Beach Courthouse: Client was charged with domestic violence against his partner. Client had at least 3 prior convictions for domestic violence. Initially prosecutors were demanding state prison. After considerable negotiations, prosecutors agreed to a suspended sentence and probation for the client. Result: Client received NO JAIL TIME and successfully completed probation.
People v. Francis G.
Los Angeles Superior Court - Torrance Courthouse: Client was charged with failing to register in California as a sex offender (a felony). Because of his previous criminal convictions, the prosecution was charging this crime as "third strike" meaning that if the Client was convicted, he would face 25 years to life in prison. As a result of Mr. Ghahreman's legal and factual research into the case, he was able to get the charges dismissed completely at the preliminary hearing--something that rarely happens. Result: CASE DISMISSED. The Client walked out of court a free man.
People v. Ashley B.
Los Angeles Superior Court - Van Nuys Courthouse: Client was charged with driving under the influence ("DUI"). The police performed breath tests on the Client within an hour after she was stopped. The test results showed that she had a blood alcohol level of .13 / .12--well over the legal limit of .08. Chris Ghahreman challenged the traffic stop and detention of the Client at both the DMV hearing and in the criminal court. Mr. Ghahreman obtained a "set aside" of the license suspension after the DMV hearing--meaning the Client's driver's license was reinstated. More importantly, Mr. Ghahreman was able to dismiss the criminal case on the first day of trial. Result: CASE DISMISSED. Client received no conviction on her record.
People v. David H.
Los Angeles Superior Court - Burbank Courthouse: Client, who was on parole, was charged with numerous crimes including possession of narcotics for sale, possession of burglary tools, and transportation of narcotics. Client had a previous felony "strike" conviction. Client was charged as a "second striker" which would double client's jail time if convicted. Mr. Ghahreman negotiated a plea agreement wherein the prosecution would dismiss the strike allegation and certain other charges. The initial offer was three years in state prison. Result: Mr. Ghahreman obtained a disposition wherein the client was out of prison in eight months!
People v. Brian W.
Los Angeles Superior Court - Los Angeles Metropolitan Courthouse (South Hill Street): Client was charged with driving under the influence ("DUI"). The police performed a breath test on the Client within about 45 minutes after he was stopped. The test results showed that he had a blood alcohol level of .11 / .12--over the legal limit of .08. Mr. Ghahreman obtained evidence that the investigating CHP officer had not conducted the test properly and discovered some "credibility problems" relating to this officer. Mr. Ghahreman was able to negotiate a plea agreement wherein the Defendant pled to a charge of simple reckless driving (with no alcohol involved). Result: THE DUI CHARGE WAS DISMISSED.
THESE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE MANY CASES IN WHICH CHRIS GHAHREMAN OBTAINED AN EXCELLENT OUTCOME FOR HIS CLIENTS. LET US HELP YOU ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN YOUR MATTER.
MAKE US YOUR FIRST CALL! PH. (310) 356-4671.
Some helpful points to remember if you or a friend has a run in with police:
1. DO NOT GIVE ANY KIND OF STATEMENT! Talking to law enforcement without first speaking to an attorney can only help the government put you in jail. Remember--"nobody talks, everybody walks".
2. Always ask to speak with a lawyer right away if you are detained or arrested by the police. Remember, police can and frequently do use deception and false promises to try and get you to talk.
3. When you are stopped for driving under the influence (DUI) you are not obligated to do any field sobriety test (roadside calisthenics--touching your nose, walking a line, etc.). You can and probably should refuse to do them. However, you typically should not refuse a chemical test (blood or breath) after your arrest. Doing so will result in the suspension of your license by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If given the choice between the blood or breath test, we usually recommend a breath test.
4. You are guaranteed by California law the right to make three (3) phone calls without charge promptly after you are arrested and booked.
5. It is never a good idea to be combative or to physically resist law enforcement officers--even if you have committed no crime. This will only result in you getting hurt and probably more charges being filed against you.
LET US HELP YOU ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN YOUR MATTER.
MAKE US YOUR FIRST CALL! PH. (310) 356-4671.
The procedures and kinds of court appearances involved in criminal cases:
Felony cases:
* According to California state law, a felony is any crime that is punishable by imprisonment in the State Prison. These usually involve more serious or violent crimes, but can also be crimes like drug possession, theft, forgery and financial crimes. The potential punishment for a felony is greater than for a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for some felonies (like murder) is life in prison without parole or death.
1. How does the case start? With the filing of a criminal complaint against a person. The complaint should notify the criminal Defendant specifically as to when, where and what crimes he or she has supposedly committed
2. After a criminal complaint is filed, a Defendant must appear for an arraignment within a certain period of time (depending on whether the person is in custody/jail or out of custody). An arraignment is a hearing wherein the criminal defendant is advised of the charge(s) against him/her and enters a plea--usually "not guilty", "guilty" or "no contest". We usually advise our clients to enter a "not guilty" plea at the arraignment.
3. After the arraignment, the court sets a date for the preliminary hearing. This is a hearing before a judge only (there is no jury) wherein the judge hears and sees evidence presented by the prosecutor. This is not a trial. The prosecutor need only present some evidence that demonstrates the defendant committed the crime charged. The burden of proof on the prosecution is slight and is not "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" as it is at trial. The purpose of this hearing is to prevent criminal defendants from standing trial in cases where the evidence is non-existent or very weak. It is extremely rare for a case to be dismissed in its entirety after a preliminary hearing.
4. After the preliminary hearing, the case is then set again for a second arraignment on whatever charges survived the preliminary hearing. The defendant then appears again in court usually facing the same or similar charges as before the preliminary hearing and enters a plea or "not guilty", "guilty" or "no contest".
5. After the second arraignment the court sets a pre-trial hearing. At this hearing, the court usually addresses the parties readiness to proceed to trial. The court may also hear specific motions before, during or after the pre-trial hearing.
6. After one or more pre-trial hearings, if the case does not resolve, the matter will go to trial. This is where the prosecuting attorney formally presents his/her evidence to a jury of 12 people. After hearing all the evidence, the jury then renders a verdict of "guilty" or "not guilty". In California, a verdict in criminal cases must be unanimous--all 12 jurors must agree on the verdict. If all members of the jury cannot agree, they are "deadlocked"; this is called a "hung jury". The judge can then declare a mistrial and the prosecutor usually has the option of having another trial to convict the Defendant.
Misdemeanor cases:
* According to California state law, a misdemeanor is any crime that is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail. These involve less serious crimes. The maximum penalty for most misdemeanors is one (1) year in the county jail.
1. How does the case start? With the filing of a criminal complaint against a person.
2. Just like a felony case, after a criminal complaint is filed, a Defendant must appear for an arraignment within a certain period of time (depending on whether the person is in custody/jail or out of custody) An arraignment is a hearing wherein the criminal Defendant is advised of the charge(s) against him/her and enters a plea--usually "not guilty", "guilty" or "no contest". We usually advise our clients to enter a "not guilty" plea at the arraignment.
3. Unlike felony cases, there is no preliminary hearing for misdemeanors. After the arraignment, the court sets a pre-trial hearing. At this hearing, the court usually addresses the parties readiness to proceed to trial. The court may also hear specific motions before, during or after the pre-trial hearing.
4. After one or more pre-trial hearings, if the case does not resolve, the matter will go to trial. This is where the prosecuting attorney formally presents his/her evidence to a jury of 12 people. After hearing all the evidence, the jury then renders a verdict of "guilty" or "not guilty". In California, a verdict in criminal cases must be unanimous--all 12 jurors must agree on the verdict. If all members of the jury cannot agree, they are "deadlocked"; this is called a "hung jury". The judge can then declare a mistrial and the prosecutor usually has the option of re-filing the case and having another trial.
IF YOU WANT OR NEED LEGAL ADVICE, PLEASE CALL THE LAW OFFICES OF K. CHRISTOPHER GHAHREMAN IMMEDIATELY AT (310) 356-4671.
THE ABOVE IS FOR ADVERTISING AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. VISITORS TO THIS WEBSITE ARE STONGLY ADVISED TO (AND SHOULD) CONSULT WITH A LICENSED ATTORNEY BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION THAT IN ANY WAY COULD AFFECT THEIR RIGHTS. Visitors to this website are not clients of the Law Offices of K. Christopher Ghahreman or K. Christopher Ghahreman until Mr. Ghahreman and the individual expressly agree that Mr. Ghahreman will represent or provide services to said individual. The information provided in this website (other than e-mailed contact information or inquiries) does not constitute attorney-client communications. Visitors to this website use the information contained herein at their own risk. The Law Offices of K. Christopher Ghahreman and/or K. Christopher Ghahreman are not liable or responsible for the any website visitor's use of the information contained anywhere in this website.
Nothing stated above or anywhere else in this website is a guarantee or warranty of the outcome of any case. Please realize that every case is different and that results can and do vary with the facts and dynamics of each case. While Mr. Ghahreman is an outstanding and experienced lawyer, he cannot control all the variables that affect or influence any particular case.
