Long Beach Criminal Defense Attorneys

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Long Beach, California, the decisions you make right now can shape the rest of your life.

Criminal charges—whether a misdemeanor or felony—carry serious consequences that can impact your freedom, employment, professional licenses, immigration status, and reputation.

At Eisner Gorin LLP, our Long Beach criminal defense attorneys provide aggressive, strategic legal representation to individuals facing criminal accusations in Los Angeles County.

We understand how the Long Beach courts operate, how prosecutors build cases, and how to challenge the evidence against you at every stage of the legal process.

An arrest is not a conviction. With early intervention and experienced legal counsel, many criminal cases can be reduced, dismissed, or resolved through diversion programs without mandatory jail time.

Call (818) 781-1570 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.

By appointment, our legal team meets clients for case strategy at 100 Oceangate, Suite 1200, Long Beach, CA 90802.

Criminal Defense Representation in Long Beach, CA

Long Beach is one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County and relies on its own dedicated judicial hub: the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse (275 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802), which handles both misdemeanor and felony prosecutions.

Arrests throughout the South Bay and Harbor areas are conducted by multiple agencies, including:

Long Beach Police Department (LBPD)
Signal Hill Police Department
Los Angeles Port Police
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD)

Most individuals arrested in Long Beach are initially booked into the Long Beach City Jail before their case is reviewed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office or the Long Beach City Prosecutor.

Early pre-filing intervention by an attorney can often prevent formal criminal charges from being filed.

What Must Be Proven to Convict in California

To obtain a guilty verdict in a California criminal court, the prosecution must prove every legal element of an offense beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest legal standard in the American justice system.

Core Legal Elements Required for Conviction

Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: The prosecution must present evidence so convincing that no reasonable hypothesis remains other than the defendant's guilt.
Criminal Intent (Mens Rea): Prosecutors must show the accused acted with specific state-of-mind intent, general criminal intent, criminal negligence, or full knowledge of the action.
Corpus Delicti: The prosecution must independently establish that a crime actually occurred through physical evidence, victim statements, or witness testimony—not solely through an accused person's uncorroborated confession.

Penalties for Criminal Convictions in Long Beach

Sentencing severity depends on whether an offense is filed as a misdemeanor, felony, or "wobbler" under the California Penal Code or Vehicle Code:

Misdemeanors: Maximum incarceration of up to 1 year in Los Angeles County Jail, financial penalties including fines up to $1,000 plus court assessment fees, and long-term consequences such as summary probation, mandatory counseling or rehabilitation programs, and temporary driver's license suspension.
Felonies: Incarceration ranging from 16 months to life in California State Prison, severe financial penalties with fines up to $10,000 or more per count plus victim restitution, and lasting consequences including the permanent loss of firearm rights, voting restrictions, and mandatory registration requirements.
Strike Offenses (Three Strikes Law): Mandatory state prison sentence with automatic doubling of statutory prison terms for a second strike, extensive financial fines combined with mandatory victim restitution, and the potential for a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment upon a third violent or serious felony conviction.

Common Criminal Defense Strategies

An effective defense targets weak spots in police procedures, missing physical evidence, and statutory exceptions. Our attorneys utilize several core defenses:

Violation of Fourth Amendment Rights: Suppressing evidence obtained through an illegal traffic stop, unlawful search warrant, or warrantless police search under California Penal Code 1538.5.
Lack of Criminal Intent / Accidental Conduct: Demonstrating that the act occurred without the requisite mental state required by statute.
Self-Defense or Defense of Others: Establishing a reasonable belief that immediate physical harm was imminent and proportionate force was used.
False Accusations and Mistaken Identity: Disproving faulty eyewitness identifications, biased victim statements, or uncorroborated reports.

Hypothetical Case Examples

DUI Traffic Stop: An individual pulled over near Downtown Long Beach undergoes a breathalyzer test. Defense shows the breath machine lacked mandatory calibration logs, leading to a complete charge dismissal.
Domestic Battery Accusation: A domestic dispute leads to an arrest based solely on uncorroborated statements. Pre-filing defense evidence proves self-defense, prompting the District Attorney to decline filing charges.
Commercial Shoplifting: A shopper is accused of grand theft at a Long Beach retail center. The legal team negotiates entry into a pre-trial diversion program, resulting in a clean record upon program completion.

Related California Laws & Legal Codes

California Penal Code (PC):
- PC 243(e)(1) & PC 273.5 – Domestic Battery and Corporal Injury to a Spouse
- PC 487 & PC 488 – Grand Theft and Petty Theft and Robbery
- PC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
California Vehicle Code (VC):
- VC 23152(a) & (b) – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
- VC 20001 & VC 20002 – Hit and Run (Felony & Misdemeanor)
California Health and Safety Code (HS):
- HS 11350 & HS 11351 – Possession and Possession for Sale of Controlled Substances

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I do immediately after being arrested in Long Beach?

Exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and request an attorney immediately. Do not discuss the facts of your case with police officers, jail staff, or cellmates, as all calls and statements are recorded and used against you by prosecutors.

Can criminal charges be dropped before my first court date?

Yes. During the pre-filing investigation window, a criminal defense attorney can submit exculpatory evidence, witness statements, and legal arguments directly to prosecutors to convince them to decline formal charges or reduce felony allegations to misdemeanors.

Do I have to appear in court personally for a misdemeanor in Long Beach?

Under California Penal Code 977, a criminal defense attorney can appear on your behalf for most misdemeanor hearings in Long Beach, allowing you to avoid missing work or school unless the judge explicitly orders your personal attendance.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in California?

A misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in county jail, whereas a felony conviction can result in state prison sentences exceeding one year, loss of constitutional rights, and high financial penalties.

How does California's "Three Strikes" law affect my criminal charge?

California's Three Strikes law doubles statutory sentences for individuals with a prior serious or violent felony strike conviction. A third strike conviction for a serious or violent felony can result in a mandatory state prison sentence of 25 years to life.

Can a victim drop domestic violence charges in Long Beach?

No. Once police make an arrest for domestic violence, only the prosecuting agency (the Los Angeles County District Attorney or City Prosecutor) holds the legal authority to drop or proceed with criminal charges, even if the alleged victim recants.

What is pre-trial diversion, and am I eligible?

Pre-trial diversion allows qualified first-time or non-violent offenders to complete court-ordered classes, community service, or treatment programs. Upon successful completion, the court dismisses the criminal charges entirely, leaving no conviction on record.

How much does a Long Beach criminal defense attorney cost?

Defense legal fees vary based on charge complexity, case level (misdemeanor vs. felony), expert witness needs, and whether the matter settles in pre-trial negotiations or goes to a jury trial. Most top firms offer fixed flat-rate fee structures.

Protect Your Freedom and Future

A criminal charge does not define you, but immediate action is critical to protecting your rights.

Whether you are under active investigation, recently arrested, or already facing an impending court date at the Long Beach courthouse, our legal team stands ready to fight for you.

Eisner Gorin LLP

Office Address (By Appointment): 100 Oceangate, Suite 1200, Long Beach, CA 90802

Direct Telephone: (818) 781-1570

Availability: 24/7 Legal Response

Long Beach