Criminal defense in Los Angeles
Arrested? Say nothing. Call us.
You have the right to stay silent and the right to a lawyer. Use both, then call Halloran Defense and ask what happens next.
- Family can callA parent or partner can call for you.
- ConfidentialWhat you tell us stays with us.
- Plain answersNo jargon and no pressure.
Whatever you're facing, start with a call
Not sure what you've been charged with? That's normal. Call and we'll help you read the paperwork.
DUI
Some DUI deadlines start the day you're arrested. Call early.
Drug charges
Possession, sales and prescription cases. How the search happened matters.
Violent crimes
Assault, battery and other violent charges. Your side of the story counts.
Theft & fraud
Shoplifting, burglary, embezzlement and fraud, small cases and serious ones.
Domestic violence
Charges and protective orders after a call to the police at home.
Warrants & probation
A warrant out, or trouble on probation? Face it with a plan, not by surprise.
Your first 48 hours
What you say and do right after an arrest can follow your case all the way to court. Here's what to do, for you or for someone you love.
General information, not legal advice for your situation. Call us to talk about your case.
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Stay calm and stay quiet
Say clearly that you want to remain silent, then stop talking. Don't argue or resist, even if you think the arrest is wrong.
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Ask for a lawyer
Say "I want a lawyer." Don't sign a statement or agree to answer "just a few questions" without one.
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Don't talk about the case on the phone
Calls from jail are usually recorded. Talk about bail and who to call, not about what happened. The same goes for texts and social media.
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Write down what happened
As soon as you can, note the times, places, who was there and what was said. Keep it private and share it only with your lawyer.
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(213) 555-0188
Call us
You or a family member can call. Ask us to explain what comes next, from bail to the first court date.
What to ask on the first call
A criminal charge is frightening. These are fair questions for any defense lawyer, us included.
- Who will handle my case?
- Who you'll talk to, and who will stand with you in court.
- Is what I say private?
- What stays confidential, and who else could hear it.
- What am I really facing?
- The hard parts too, in plain words.
- What happens next?
- The steps, the court dates and what's needed from you.
Questions people ask us
Every case is different. These are general answers. For yours, call us.
Call (213) 555-0188How does bail work?
Bail is money paid so a person can go home while the case goes on. It may be set by a schedule or by a judge. Sometimes a judge releases a person without bail, and sometimes bail can be lowered at a hearing. Call us and we can explain the options.
Will I go to jail?
Not every charge leads to jail. It depends on the charge, the facts and your history. Some cases end with reduced charges, a program or probation, and some are dismissed. No honest lawyer can promise an outcome, but we will tell you plainly what you're facing.
What does a consultation cost?
Ask us when you call. We'll tell you up front whether the first meeting has a fee and how fees work if you hire us, before you decide anything.
Can the charges be dropped?
Sometimes. A prosecutor can drop or reduce charges, and a judge can dismiss a case, for example when the evidence is weak or was gathered the wrong way. Whether that can happen depends on the facts, so the sooner someone looks at your case, the better.
Should I talk to the police to clear things up?
It's usually best not to talk about the case without a lawyer, even if you did nothing wrong. Things said to explain can be misunderstood or used later. Politely say you want a lawyer, then call us.
