Facing criminal charges in Santa Monica? A Santa Monica criminal defense attorney at Hurwitz Law Group can start protecting your rights today. An arrest can leave you scared, confused, and worried about your job, your family, and what happens at your first court date.
Our team moves quickly to examine the police report, challenge weak evidence, and explain every option in plain terms before you make any decision. We defend misdemeanor and felony charges, from driving under the influence (DUI) and domestic violence to drug, theft, and violent crime allegations. Call (323) 244-4147 any time, day or night, for a free, confidential case evaluation with our team.
Hurwitz Law Group represents people charged with crimes throughout Santa Monica from our Los Angeles office at 6565 Sunset Blvd. Our attorney has more than 10 years of criminal defense experience, and our firm has handled thousands of cases. Clients have also left more than 100 five-star reviews.
When you work with us, you can expect the following:
Every case starts with a free, confidential phone case evaluation. We listen to what happened, review the charges, and give you an honest assessment of the risks and options in front of you.
Our firm defends felonies and misdemeanors at both the state and federal levels. Each type of charge calls for its own defense strategy, and we build that strategy around the evidence in your case.
Assault allegations can stem from a fast-moving argument, a crowded bar, or a simple misunderstanding. We examine witness statements, video, and claimed injuries to test the prosecution's version of events. When the evidence supports it, we raise self-defense or challenge who started the confrontation.
A domestic violence arrest can bring a criminal protective order, time away from home, and pressure on your family. Our team moves early to protect your rights and gather the full story. Learn more about our Santa Monica domestic violence defense and how we respond to these charges.
Drug cases often turn on how police found the evidence. We review the stop, the search, and any lab testing for errors or constitutional problems. Our Santa Monica drug crime defense covers possession, possession for sale, transportation, and other drug-related charges.
A DUI arrest can affect your criminal record, your driving privileges, and your job. We look closely at the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and breath or blood results. Explore our Santa Monica DUI defense to see how we challenge these cases from the first day.
Some investigations move into federal court, where federal agents and federal prosecutors handle the case. We defend clients facing federal charges and work to protect their rights from the investigation stage forward. Early representation can shape how an investigation unfolds.
A restraining order can limit where you live, where you go, and who you may contact. We help people respond to restraining orders and criminal protective orders, prepare for hearings, and understand the terms carefully so they can avoid new charges.
A sex crime accusation can threaten your reputation, your career, and your freedom before any court date. We handle these cases with discretion and a detailed review of the evidence. Our Santa Monica sex crime defense addresses allegations ranging from indecent exposure to sexual battery.
Shoplifting, petty theft, and grand theft charges can follow you into job applications and background checks. We review surveillance footage, loss-prevention reports, and the claimed value of the property. Read more about our Santa Monica petty theft defense and related charges.
Violent crime charges, such as robbery or assault with a deadly weapon, can carry the possibility of state prison and lasting consequences. We scrutinize identification evidence, police interviews, and forensic findings. Our goal is to expose weaknesses in the case and pursue the strongest available defense.
Knowing what comes next can ease some of the fear after an arrest. Most cases follow a similar path, though not every case includes every step.
Santa Monica has its own local prosecutors. The Santa Monica City Attorney's Office prosecutes state and local misdemeanor offenses arising in the city. Felony cases go to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Knowing which office holds your case helps us plan negotiations and look for alternatives, such as diversion.
After an arrest, the police send a report to the prosecutor. The prosecutor reviews it and decides whether to file charges and whether to file them as misdemeanors or felonies. Under the rules for how criminal charges are filed in California, a person in jail generally cannot be held more than 48 hours without charges, not counting days the court is closed.
If no charges are filed by that deadline, the person must be released; however, the prosecutor might still file charges later. That window is a key reason to call a lawyer right away, since we can begin gathering information before a filing decision is made.
At the arraignment, which is usually your first court date, the judge explains the charges, your constitutional rights, and your right to a court-appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one. You will then be asked to enter a plea, most commonly guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
If you are still in custody, the judge decides whether to release you on your own recognizance, release you under supervision, set bail, or hold you without bail. People charged only with misdemeanors are typically released on their own recognizance, although some cases, such as those involving domestic violence, follow different rules. The judge may also issue a criminal protective order at this hearing.
Your next court dates depend on the charge. Under California's arraignment rules, an out-of-custody misdemeanor defendant has a right to a trial within 45 days of the arraignment or plea, whichever is later. That deadline shortens to 30 days for someone in custody.
In a felony case, both sides have a right to a preliminary hearing within 10 court days of the arraignment or plea, whichever is later. If that date is delayed for good cause or time is waived, the right to a hearing within 60 days still applies. You should always talk with a lawyer before agreeing to waive time.
After arraignment, both sides exchange evidence in a process called discovery. The prosecution typically provides initial discovery at the arraignment, often including the police report, photographs, or lab reports. Under California's pretrial process, the prosecution must also turn over any information that would hurt its own case, known as exculpatory evidence.
Either side can file motions asking the judge to rule on disputed issues. In a felony case, the preliminary hearing lets a judge decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward, not whether you are guilty. We use this hearing to cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses and test its evidence.
If the judge finds enough evidence, the defendant is "held to answer," and the prosecution files a charging document called an Information.
The California Courts overview of the criminal process notes that most cases do not go to trial. Some resolve through a plea deal, and in some cases the judge decides the case cannot proceed for legal reasons. If neither happens, the case goes to trial, usually before a jury.
We prepare each case with trial in mind, even while we explore negotiated options. If a guilty plea or a jury verdict leads to a conviction, the case moves to sentencing, where we continue to advocate for you.
A defense attorney reviews every piece of evidence, protects your rights at each hearing, and explains your options in plain language. Our team also negotiates with prosecutors and prepares your case for trial when a fair resolution is not on the table.
Yes. Innocent people are sometimes arrested and charged, and a prosecutor's decision to file is based on a police report, not a finding of guilt. You are presumed innocent, but someone still needs to test the evidence and tell your side.
Stay calm and do not resist, even if the arrest feels unfair. Politely say that you want to remain silent and want to speak with a lawyer. Do not discuss the facts with police, other people in custody, or anyone on social media. Call a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can, or ask a family member to call for you.
The difference comes down to seriousness and possible penalties. According to the California Courts guide to criminal court, a misdemeanor conviction could mean county jail time of up to 6 months to a year, depending on the crime. A felony conviction could mean state prison, including life in prison.
A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement with the prosecution. You plead guilty or no contest, often to a reduced charge or in exchange for an agreed sentencing recommendation. Whether to accept one depends on the strength of the evidence, the possible penalties, and how a conviction could affect your record, job, or immigration status.
Yes, but not always. Depending on the facts and the evidence, charges may be dismissed or resolved through diversion. For misdemeanor cases, the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office runs several diversion programs.
Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results our firm has obtained in Los Angeles County courts include:
Brian Hurwitz is the founding attorney of Hurwitz Law Group. He committed to criminal defense as a young law-firm intern, after seeing how innocent people were often treated unfairly by police and the courts. Early in his career, he pledged to aggressively challenge government prosecutors on behalf of his clients.
He earned a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law and a B.S. in Business Economics from the University of Arizona. He was elected to the Criminal Courts Bar Association Board of Directors. Other memberships include the California Public Defenders Association, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
His honors include Super Lawyers Rising Star recognition in 2018 and 2022, selection to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 from 2017 to 2019, and Avvo Clients' Choice awards in 2017 and 2018. He also holds a Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent peer review rating.
The first days after an arrest matter, and you should not have to face them alone. A Santa Monica criminal defense attorney at Hurwitz Law Group can review the charges, explain your options, and start building your defense right away.
We are available 24/7 at (323) 244-4147 for a free, confidential case evaluation with Brian Hurwitz. You can also contact our team online to share the details of your case. Se habla español.
Brian Hurwitz Has 10+ Years of Criminal Defense Experience
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