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Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
Rated and recognized by
William S. Kroger
Founding Attorney
Defending Los Angeles For Almost 30 Years
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Are you or somebody you know facing criminal charges in Los Angeles, CA? Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers can help you protect your rights.
At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law, we have a track record of reducing charges, dismissals, and not-guilty verdicts across LA. In fact, we have defended more than 10,000 criminal cases across California and admitted in over 15 federal jurisdictions throughout the United States, as far north as Alaska and as far south as Florida and San Diego.
We’re ready to stand by your side, protect your rights, and level the playing field against the prosecution.
Contact our office today for a free consultation to review your options and defend your rights.
Facing charges right now? The consultation is free and confidential. Hablamos español. Phones answered 24/7.
Your Defense Starts Now
Arrested in Los Angeles?
The First 48 Hours Matter
The first 48 hours after an arrest are critical for your case. Key events like booking and investigations happen fast. Getting an experienced attorney involved immediately can make a major difference in your case’s outcome.
Our goal is to get cases dismissed before they ever reach court, helping our clients avoid unnecessary court appearances. We have a strong track record of achieving this outcome.
Rights During Custodial Interrogation and Booking
After an arrest, police will take your fingerprints, photos, and collect booking information.
Know your rights:
- You have the right to remain silent.
- You can ask for an attorney, but you’re unlikely to speak with one during booking and may have to wait several days in jail before making a call.
- What you say will more than likely be recorded and used against you.
Our team can help protect your rights from the start.
Bail & Arraignment
In Los Angeles, bail is typically set under the county’s bail schedule or set by a magistrate judge.
If a judge needs to review your bail, you may spend several days in custody before your hearing.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can:
- Push for a lower amount or release on your own recognizance (OR).
- Represent you at arraignment hearings.
We fight to secure your release under the best conditions available.
Prosecutorial Review and Charging Decisions
An arrest does not automatically mean criminal charges will be filed.
Before charges are filed, we can:
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Review the evidence against you.
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Identify weaknesses in the allegations.
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Contact the detective investigating the case to try to resolve it before court.
Early intervention may influence how your case proceeds.
Hiring a Lawyer Early Matters
You don’t have to wait until your first court date to start building your defense.
Early legal representation can help:
- Preserve important evidence.
- Protect you during questioning.
- Prepare your defense before court.
- And most importantly, can help to get the case dropped before it’s filed.
Our team is available 24/7 to discuss your case.
Answered 24/7 — including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Built to Fight From Day One
Why Hire William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorneys at Law to Fight Your Criminal Charges?
75+ Years of Combined Criminal Defense Experience
Our defense team has more than 75 years of combined criminal defense experience, and we’ve personally handled over 10,000 criminal cases throughout California and within 15+ federal jurisdictions. We know criminal law. We know how the prosecution builds cases and where we can expose the weaknesses in yours.
A Track Record of Favorable Outcomes in the Most Serious Cases
We’ve defended clients accused of all types of misdemeanor and felony offenses, from DUI violations and domestic abuse to drug crimes and white-collar offenses. We regularly obtain reduced charges and dismissals in serious felony matters where other firms might have pushed a client toward a plea.
Client-First Representation When the Stakes Are Highest
Facing criminal charges is overwhelming. We carefully walk clients through each stage of their case so they always know what’s happening and what comes next. We serve Spanish-speaking clients with interpreters whenever needed.
10,000+
criminal cases handled throughout California
75+
years of combined defense experience
Certified
State Bar-certified criminal law specialists on staff
24/7
direct attorney access, nights and weekends
Our Practice Areas
We Handle All Criminal Charges in Los Angeles
Experienced defense for every type of criminal case, from misdemeanors and first-time offenses to serious felony charges. We provide strategic, aggressive representation to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.
DUI Defense
A DUI charge can threaten your license, your job, and your record. A Los Angeles DUI lawyer at our firm can challenge the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, and the chemical evidence against you. Let us build a defense that protects your future.
Drug Crimes
Drug charges range from simple possession to large-scale trafficking allegations, and the penalties escalate quickly. A Los Angeles drug crimes lawyer can fight unlawful searches that led to your charges, or identify other weaknesses in the government’s case against you. For lower-level charges, there may be alternatives to traditional criminal penalties.
Domestic Violence
A domestic violence accusation can lead to a protective order and criminal and family law consequences that affect your rights long-term, often based on one side of the story. A Los Angeles domestic violence lawyer can gather evidence corroborating your version of events and protect you from false or inflated allegations.
Theft
Theft charges are a crime of dishonesty and can carry consequences that can follow you for years. A Los Angeles theft lawyer can identify defenses to the charges against you, such as mistaken identity or showing an intent to return the item, to protect your record and future. We will fight to reduce charges and avoid a conviction.
Marijuana Charges
California legalized recreational marijuana, but drivers and residents still face charges for unlicensed sales, illegal cultivation, and possession over legal limits. A Los Angeles marijuana charges lawyer can help you show that your conduct was lawful or explore other strategies for reducing or disproving the charges against you.
Airport Arrest
LAX sees frequent arrests for everything from weapons in carry-on bags to drug trafficking and customs violations. A Los Angeles airport arrest lawyer understands the procedures TSA and federal agents follow to make arrests and prosecutions in these cases. We will protect your rights from the moment you’re detained.
Weapon Charges
Weapons charges, including illegal possession, concealed carry violations, and felon-in-possession allegations, can carry severe penalties under California law. A Los Angeles weapon charges lawyer can challenge these charges if your rights were violated during a search or law enforcement engaged in other improper conduct to make the arrest.
Federal Crimes
Federal charges are separate from the state system and feature their own rules, prosecutors, and sentencing guidelines. Sentences often carry harsher penalties than state court. A Los Angeles federal crimes lawyer can help you navigate the federal court process, challenge the government’s evidence, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Our Criminal Defense Team
Meet Our Attorneys
The firm includes a State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist — a certification held by a fraction of California attorneys. Three attorneys, all trial lawyers, all criminal defense only.
Our Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
About Us
Where we appear
Los Angeles County Courts We Appear In
Every court handles cases differently and features its own judges, prosecutors, and schedules.
Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys know how to tailor your defense strategy to the specific court managing your charges.
Downtown and Central Los Angeles Courthouses
Major criminal cases and those in the greater LA area are heard at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, as well as the Metropolitan Courthouse, the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, and the 1st St. Federal Courthouse.
Our criminal defense attorneys routinely handle high-stakes felony trials and federal charges in these downtown locations.
LAX Airport Courthouse
The LAX Airport Courthouse handles crimes that happen near the airport, including weapons seizures, and illegal drugs. These cases involve federal agencies, so getting early legal representation is important to even the playing field.
Additional Regional Courthouses
Our legal team also defends clients in Van Nuys, San Fernando, and Burbank, as well as eastern courthouses like Pasadena and Alhambra, and South Bay locations in Long Beach, Torrance, and Compton.
We Answer All Your Questions
Criminal Defense FAQs
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Los Angeles?
Legal fees for criminal defense in Los Angeles depend on how serious the charge is. Specifically, the fee varies based on whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony and how long the case takes. Most defense attorneys charge flat fees or retainers at the outset of a case and then bill hourly if the retainer is used up.
Misdemeanors usually cost less than complex felonies, which may require expert witnesses and a jury trial. Our firm offers a free consultation to explain expected costs for your case. Hiring an experienced attorney may require a financial investment, but it protects your record, rights, and future much better than representing yourself. Contact us to discuss your case and review your payment options.
What does a criminal defense attorney actually do for my case?
A criminal defense attorney manages every stage of your case, often starting before charges are even filed.
That includes:
- Investigating the arrest and the evidence against you
- Identifying constitutional violations, like an unlawful search or a coerced statement
- Determining whether the prosecution can actually prove its case
- Negotiating with prosecutors to seek reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or a dismissal when the evidence supports it
- Preparing your case for trial if a fair resolution isn’t offered
- Explaining what’s happening at each stage, so you’re never left guessing about your own case
- Advocating for outcomes that protect your record, your job, and your future, not just the immediate penalty you’re facing
By handling each of these tasks, an attorney strengthens your position and increases your odds of a favorable case result.
Do I need a lawyer if I’m innocent?
Innocence alone will not stop an arrest, prosecution, or wrongful conviction. Prosecutors file charges based on accusations and police reports that may contain mistakes. A defense attorney ensures those mistakes or violations of your rights don’t result in unfair convictions and penalties. Your attorney will conduct an independent investigation, collect supporting evidence, and force the government to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Getting legal help early is critical to protecting your rights and proving your innocence, rather than trusting that the truth will eventually come out.
Can my charges be reduced or dismissed?
Charges can often be reduced or dismissed if the evidence against you is weak, or if law enforcement made mistakes during the investigation and arrest process that threaten the strength of the prosecution’s case.
Effective strategies for seeking reduced or dismissed charges include filing motions to challenge illegally obtained evidence, questioning witness credibility, showing a lack of criminal intent, etc. In serious felony cases, an experienced defense lawyer can challenge the prosecution’s evidence to lower charges to misdemeanors or less serious felonies. Contact an attorney to learn more about your options for reductions or dismissals.
How long does a criminal case take in Los Angeles County?
Case timelines depend on the specific offense you are facing, as well as court schedules and the amount of evidence to review. Cases that resolve through a plea deal will generally have shorter timelines than those that go to trial. A minor misdemeanor might end in a few weeks, while a complex felony case involving extensive discovery can take a year or more. Although resolving a case quickly is ideal, a strong case beats a fast resolution every time.
Speak With a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Today
An arrest doesn’t have to be the final word. You have the right to defend yourself. An experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can help you exercise that right and defend your case to the fullest extent of the law.
William S. Kroger is ready to fight for you. We’ve secured reduced charges and dismissals for countless clients already. Let us help you right now. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation to learn more.
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