Harbor Justice Center Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a crime in Orange County, you will need experienced legal representation. We can provide the defense you need have successfully handled hundreds of criminal cases and know how to develop legal strategies to attack even the most serious crimes.
Our experience gives us unique insight into how the prosecution operates, allowing us to anticipate their moves and create counterarguments. We will put our knowledge, skills, and resources to work for you and seek a favorable outcome on your behalf.
Our criminal defense law firm has a proven track record of successfully defending clients throughout Orange County against a range of misdemeanor and felony charges.
We have obtained the best outcomes in past cases, including dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, and favorable plea bargains. You can trust in our ability to fight for your rights and seek the best possible outcome for your case.
Criminal cases in Newport Beach are handled at the Harbor Justice Center, 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660. This Newport Beach courthouse is an Orange County District Attorney's Office and the OC Sheriff's Office.
The Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach serves the south Orange County cities of Aliso Viejo, Balboa Island, Capistrano Beach, Corona del Mar, Dana Point, Irvine, John Wayne Airport, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Lido Isle, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana Heights and Trabuco Canyon.
Harbor Justice Center is an Orange County Superior Court, the first level of state court in California, with jurisdiction over all criminal and civil matters.
The California Penal Code, Vehicle Code, and Health and Safety Codes have a long list of criminal offenses. Violations of any of these statutes can lead to criminal charges and harsh penalties. Regardless of the crime you have been accused of, you must retain an Orange County defense lawyer with experience in handling similar issues.
What is the Court Process?
The court process can be complex and intimidating, especially if you're unfamiliar with it. It typically involves several stages, from the arraignment to the trial. Understanding each step can help you navigate the process more effectively.
Our extensive experience with the court process allows us to guide you through every step of your case, from the arraignment to the trial. If you were arrested for a DUI or criminal charge, you will have an arraignment court date.
The arraignment is the first time you will appear in the Harbor Justice Center, which is called Newport Beach Court, after your arrest.
At your arraignment, the judge will inform you of the charges against you and your legal rights. Next, you will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no-contest, which means you do not want to contest the charge. However, it has the same effect as a guilty plea, except the conviction generally cannot be used against the defendant in a civil lawsuit.
Most people will enter a not-guilty plea at the arraignment, and the judge will set a court later court date. Suppose you are in custody at the time of arraignment. In that case, after you enter a plea, the judge will either:
- Release you on your “own recognizance,” meaning you pay no bail on the promise to appear at your court dates or
- Set bail and send you back to jail until the bail is posted or
- Deny bail and send you back to jail.
After arraignment in misdemeanor cases, the prosecution and your defense lawyer will exchange discovery information. During this pretrial period, both sides can file pretrial motions, and you (the defendant) can discuss how to resolve the case without going to trial.
After arraignment in felony cases, the judge will hold a preliminary hearing to decide if there is enough evidence that you committed the crime to require you to appear for trial.
If the judge decides there is enough evidence, the prosecutor will file the "information.” After a preliminary hearing, felony cases are transferred to the Central Justice Center, Santa Ana courthouse, for a jury trial.
Types of Cases We Defend
Our Newport Beach criminal attorneys can help guide you through police investigations, bail hearings, prosecutor negotiation, and court trials. We handle all types of misdemeanor, felony, and federal crimes, including the following:
- Assault and battery,
- Burglary,
- Domestic violence,
- Drug crimes,
- DUI,
- DUID,
- Felony DUI,
- DUI with injury,
- Grand theft,
- Hit and run,
- Juvenile crimes,
- Murder,
- Manslaughter,
- Probation violation,
- Robbery,
- Sex crimes,
- Theft crimes,
- Robbery,
- Vehicular manslaughter,
- Watson murder charge,
- White-collar crimes.
We defend clients facing DUI and criminal charges in the Harbor Justice Center and throughout Orange County & Los Angeles. We often handle the pre-filing defense for police investigations, with the goal of preventing the filing of criminal charges or reducing charges before they are filed.
Contact our law firm for a case review. Eisner Gorin LLP has offices in Los Angeles, California.
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