Santa Monica Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a DUI or crime, be very careful. Criminal charges can wreak havoc with your future, license and career.
It is critical to protect yourself and hire a top Santa Monica criminal defense attorney or Santa Monica DUI lawyer as early as possible – to defend you during the process.
For over a combined six decades, our criminal defense lawyers have taken on tough cases and secured the best possible results for clients.
Our award-winning attorneys are:
- Skilled former prosecutors respected by judges and DAs.
- Experienced handling 8,500+ DUI, criminal and license defense cases.
- Expert at resolving criminal charges.
If you’ve been charged with any felony or misdemeanor DUI, domestic violence, drug, federal crime, theft, weapons charge or sex crime, we can immediately help. We can also intervene to try to have charges reduced or dropped before they are filed.
Protecting you is our #1 goal
Read client reviews and you’ll see that our attorneys Tsion Chudnovsky, Robert Weinberg, Suzanne Crouts, and Nicole Enyart are experts at protecting you in LA criminal courts.
Often it is not the facts of the case that result in the best outcome, but relationships, understanding the legal system and skillfully presenting your side to the DA or judge.
If you are looking for the best Santa Monica criminal defense lawyer or Santa Monica DUI lawyer, call (424) 340-7220 for a Free lawyer consultation. We represent clients throughout Los Angeles County. We offer affordable fees and flexible payment plans.
Top defense strategies:
Santa Monica defense resources
Criminal defense and DUI cases we handle
Chudnovsky Law handles all felony and misdemeanor criminal defense and DUI defense cases in Airport courthouse, all LA County courts, Federal court and Orange County.
We will represent you for any criminal defense matter including: law enforcement investigation, bail hearing, prosecutor negotiation, recalling a bench warrant, TRO temporary restraining order, permanent protective restraining order, probation violation, court trial, jury trial, appeal and post conviction relief expungement of criminal records.
Criminal defense attorney in Santa Monica, CA
Our Los Angeles misdemeanor lawyer serves clients throughout California, including Santa Monica, Venice Beach and surrounding areas for any criminal charge including:
- Domestic violence, including corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant, domestic battery, criminal threats, child endangerment and stalking.
- Drug crimes, drug possession including possession of controlled substance with intent to sell, manufacturing, forged prescription, pot dispensary violations, trafficking and methamphetamine charges.
- Federal crimes, including FBI investigation, DEA investigation, conspiracy, bank fraud, corporate fraud, drug trafficking, insider trading, money laundering, Medicare fraud and tax fraud.
- Sex crimes, including false sex crime charges, human trafficking, indecent exposure, lewd conduct in public, prostitution defense, rape, sexual assault, Title IX, solicitation, sex offender registration, sexual battery and statutory rape.
- Theft crimes, including grand theft auto, burglary, robbery, grand theft, carjacking, petty theft, armed robbery and shoplifting.
- Violent crimes, including murder, criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, arson, kidnapping, hit and run, manslaughter, false imprisonment and assault.
- White collar crimes, including identity theft, extortion, forgery, bribery, commercial burglary, mail fraud, credit card fraud, conspiracy, embezzlement, false financial statement, computer access and fraud, insurance fraud and other financial crimes.
- See all practice areas
DUI lawyer in Santa Monica, CA
Our Santa Monica DUI attorneys have successfully handled thousands of DUI cases throughout California. DUI convictions carry heavy DUI penalties. We know how to stand up to the prosecutor and vigorously defend all DUI drunk driving cases including:
- Misdemeanor first DUI
- 2nd, 3rd or 4th DUI
- Felony DUI with great bodily injury
- Commercial license DUI
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Foreign citizen DUI (immigration issues)
- Hit and run
- Driving without a license
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Watson murder charges
- DMV APS admin per se hearing
Pre-arrest investigation defense
If you are under criminal investigation but have not been charged with a crime yet, our attorneys can help. When hired early, we can step in during the investigation phase and work to try to have charges dropped or reduced before filed.
Our former prosecutors know what investigators and DAs are looking for and what they need to see to reject your case. We provide defense for any law enforcement agency investigation including:
- Santa Monica Police Department
- Los Angeles Police Department
- Federal FBI or DEA investigation
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice
- Department of Consumer Affairs license investigation
Noncitizen immigrant criminal defense
The consequences for noncitizens charged with a crime or DUI can be much more severe than a U.S. citizen. Arrests and criminal charges can trigger automatic visa revocations and affect naturalization and permanent residency applications. Criminal charges can cause deportation and/or ineligibility to reenter the United States.
Attorney Tsion Chudnovsky is a nationally recognized criminal immigration lawyer skilled at handling both the criminal defense and immigration issues immigrants face.
Tsion represents all non-US citizens including green card holders, DACA recipients and all visa holders such as H-1b visa, international F1 student visa, E-2 visa, L-1 visa, L-2 visa, and O-1 visas when charged with any state or federal crime.
Call (424) 340-7220 for a Free consultation to get help now.
Call 424-340-7220 for a Free consultation
Our experienced lawyers will provide a Free confidential case review.
Medical and nursing license criminal defense
California’s licensed health care professionals are at risk of license disciplinary actions when charged with a crime. A criminal arrest, investigation or misconduct allegation can trigger an investigation by the Board or Department of Consumer Affairs.
Registered nurse, medical, pharmacy, chiropractic and dental license holders all need an expert professional license defense attorney to help protect their license and practice.
Attorney Robert K. Weinberg is an experienced criminal defense attorney and California professional license defense attorney skilled at defending both licensing board investigations and criminal defense cases for any health care licensee including:
- Medical Board of California defense attorney
- Nursing license defense attorney
- Dental Board of California investigation lawyer
- Board of Chiropractic Examiners investigation lawyer
- California Board of Pharmacy investigation lawyer
Mr. Weinberg handles all criminal cases for licensed professionals including: Santa Monica nurse DUI, nurse drug crimes, medical license DUI, DEA registrant investigation, pharmacist DUI, dentist DUI, physician criminal defense, federal crimes, pharmacist criminal defense, opioid prescription investigation and sexual misconduct allegations.
Call (424) 340-7220 for a consultation with Robert Weinberg to review your case.
Recent criminal defense results
Here are a few examples of victories our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys have achieved in Santa Monica, LAX Airport Court and throughout Los Angeles:
- Felony transportation and sale of 1kg of cocaine HS 11352, Los Angeles Court. Client faced 10 years prison. Result: Not guilty verdict in court jury trial.
- Felony first degree murder 187 PC, Ventura Court. Client faced life in prison without possibility of parole. Result: Not guilty verdict in court jury trial.
- Felony battery on a police officer by foreign citizen 243(c)(2) PC, LAX Airport Court. Client faced 16 months jail and deportation. Result: Reduced to misdemeanor, no jail time, no immigration consequence.
- Felony domestic violence with enhancement for great bodily injury 273.5 PC, West Covina Court. Client faced 7 years in prison if convicted. Result: Reduced to 242 PC misdemeanor simple battery with no jail time.
- Felony rape and aggravated assault 261 PC and 245(a) PC, Torrance Court. Client faced 20 years in prison. Result: Reduced to 236 PC false imprisonment, 2 years with credit for time served.
- Felony grand theft by foreign student 459.5 PC, LAX Airport Court. Student faced jail and deportation. Result: Charges dismissed, student could continue college.
- Felony corporal injury on spouse by non-US citizen 273.5 PC, Metropolitan Court. Foreign executive faced 2 years jail, aggravated felony conviction with deportation and inadmissibility to U.S. Result: Case dismissed, no immigration consequence.
Recent DUI defense results:
Our Los Angeles DUI lawyers have achieved excellent results in Santa Monica, LAX Airport Court, Torrance Court and throughout Los Angeles County:
- Felony 6th DUI with accident causing great bodily injury, Torrance Courthouse. Client faced up to 16 years prison. Result: 6 months jail.
- 1st DUI, LAX Airport Court. Result: Not guilty verdict in court trial.
- Felony DUI, Clara Shortridge Courthouse. Non-US citizen faced 16 mo jail and deportation. Result: Reduced to misdemeanor, no jail, no immigration consequence.
- 2nd DUI while on probation for 1st, East LA Court. Client faced up to 12 months jail. Result: No jail.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to high BAC and 100+mph speeding in residential area, Torrance Court. Client faced up to 240 days jail. Result: No jail.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to high BAC, foreign executive facing 6 mo jail, lost job. Result: Reduced to wet reckless, no jail, no immigration consequence.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to high speed and BAC, Metropolitan Court. Foreign citizen facing up to 6 mo jail. Result: No jail, no immigration consequence.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to high speed and BAC, El Monte Court. Result: No jail.
- 1st DUI enhanced due to .28 BAC and high speed, foreign citizen faced 6 mo jail, deportation. Result: 15 days ankle monitor, no jail, no immigration consequence.
When searching for the best DUI lawyer near me or criminal attorney near me, note that we represent clients throughout Los Angeles County and California.
Santa Monica criminal arrest process
After an arrest in Santa Monica by the Santa Monica Police Department or CHP, arrestees are taken to Santa Monica Police Department Jail to be booked and held up to 96 hours until release or transfer to LA County Jail.
Here are key locations to note if you or a loved one is arrested:
- Santa Monica Police Department Jail: The jail is located at 333 Olympic Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90401. For info on a person in custody call (310) 458-8482. This facility is only used to temporarily hold detainees for up to 96 hours until bailed out, released on own recognizance or transferred to LA County Jail. The jail holds up to 92 inmates.
- LA County Jail: If you’re not offered or cannot pay bail and you’re not released on your own recognizance, you will be transferred to Los Angeles County Jail. You can find inmates in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department custody by using their inmate search tool online.
- Court: Bond hearings and arraignment is usually handled at Airport courthouse located at 11701 S. La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 90045. You can call the court’s felony criminal clerk at (310) 725-3025 or the misdemeanor criminal clerk at (310) 725-3099 for more information. While there is a Santa Monica courthouse, it is used for civil, family law, small claims and traffic cases.
How bail amounts are set
- Bail for Santa Monica arrestees is determined by judges based on the LA Superior Court bail schedule: Misdemeanor bail schedule | Felony bail schedule.
How court penalties are set
- Judge’s determine court penalties based upon California Penal Codes and the Judicial Council Uniform Penalty Schedules.
Prosecutors at Airport Courthouse
Three different prosecutor offices handle criminal cases in Airport Courthouse based upon the arresting agency, where the arrest occurred, and what type of charge:
- Los Angeles District Attorney’s Airport branch office in Suite 601 at Airport Courthouse. (310) 727-6500.
- Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office located on the 4th floor at Airport Courthouse. (310) 202-3800
- Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office located in Suite 491 at Airport Courthouse. (310) 725-0960
Santa Monica crime
The Santa Monica Police Department reports daily crime statistics and arrest reports on their website and also on a crime map showing crimes reported in the last 90 days.
Bail and release help at LA County jails
Is your loved one incarcerated at an LA County Jail? Our Santa Monica criminal lawyers can help get them released quickly. Usually you can post bail immediately after the inmate is booked. Or you can wait for the first court appearance, which usually occurs within 2 court days after the arrest.
If the inmate is still in custody until the initial court date, your attorney can request for a lower bail or for the judge to grant an “own recognizance” release. Judge’s will review whether the inmate is a flight risk and whether they are a danger to the public. Our attorneys can present evidence and argue that the inmate should be eligible for a low bail or release on their own recognizance.
Santa Monica Police Department Jail
Temporary holding only
333 Olympic Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8482
Beverly Hills Police Department Jail
Temporary holding only
464 N Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 550-4951
Culver City Police Department Jail
Temporary holding only
4040 Duquesne Ave, Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 837-1221
Hermosa Beach Police Department Jail
Temporary holding only
540 Pier St, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 318-0361
Manhattan Beach Police Department Jail
Temporary holding only
420 15th St, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 802-5140
Marina Del Rey Jail (LASD)
Temporary holding only
13851 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 482-6000
Redondo Beach Police Department Jail
Temporary holding only
401 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 318-0616
Torrance City Jail
Temporary holding only
3300 Civic Center Dr, Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 618-5631
Century Regional Detention Facility
Female inmates only
11705 S Alameda St, Lynwood, CA 90262
(323) 568-4500*
Inmate Reception Center
Temporary holding only
450 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 893-5303*
Men’s Central Jail
441 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 974-4082*
North County Correctional Facility
29340 The Old Road, Castaic, CA 91350
(661) 295-7804*
Pitchess Detention Center North Facility
29320 The Old Road, Castaic, CA 91384
(661) 295-8059*
Pitchess Detention Center South Facility
29330 The Old Road, Castaic, CA 91384
(661) 295-8011*
Twin Towers Correctional Facility
Largest jail facility in the world
450 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 893-5100*
* Business only. For inmate info call (213) 473-6100
Call 424-340-7220 for a Free consultation
Our experienced lawyers will provide a Free confidential case review.
Written by Tsion Chudnovsky and Robert K. Weinberg.
“Attorney Nicole Enyart recently handled a complex case for me. She and her office did an excellent job. We were hoping for a plea reduction to dry reckless on a Santa Barbara DUI charge. Ms Enyart got the charges dismissed entirely with no fines. I can highly recommend her and her firm to anyone looking for an excellent criminal defense attorney.”
WILLIAM