Los Angeles Felony Lawyer

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Published date: July 16, 2026

A Los Angeles felony lawyer at My Rights Law fights serious charges and protects your record. Call (213) 497-4979 today for your free case evaluation.

A felony charge in Los Angeles can threaten your freedom, your job, and your future, so you need a strong defense right now. The My Rights Law helps you fight serious charges, protect your record, and stand up to aggressive prosecutors.

Our Los Angeles felony lawyer builds a defense made for your case. Call (213) 497-4979 today for a free case evaluation.

Why Choose My Rights Law for Your Los Angeles Felony Case?

At My Rights Law, we defend people accused of the most serious crimes, and we treat every case like your future depends on it, because it does. Our attorneys have real trial experience, so prosecutors know we are ready to take your case in front of a jury when it helps you.

We build personalized defense strategies around your facts, your goals, and your life, not a one-size-fits-all script. When you feel scared and outnumbered, we give you an aggressive advocate who fights for you at every step.

Call My Rights Law now and let us start protecting your freedom.

What Is a Felony Under California Law?

A felony is the most serious class of crime in California, and it can be punished by more than one year in county jail or by a term in state prison. Felonies include violent crimes, major drug offenses, serious sex crimes, and large financial crimes. A conviction can follow you for life, so early legal help matters. 

How Felonies Differ From Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are less serious and usually carry up to one year in county jail, while felonies carry longer prison terms and heavier lifelong consequences. Felonies can also cost you rights that misdemeanors do not, such as owning a firearm. The stakes are simply much higher.

What Is a "Wobbler" Offense?

A wobbler is a crime that the prosecutor can charge as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The choice often depends on the facts of the case and your criminal history. A skilled lawyer can push to keep a wobbler on the misdemeanor side.

Facing FELONY charges?

My Rights Law is ready to defend you

What Types of Felony Charges Do We Handle?

Our attorneys defend a wide range of serious felony charges across Los Angeles, and we bring the same focused, aggressive approach to each one. 

Here are the main areas we handle for our clients:

Violent Crimes

We defend people accused of assault, robbery, and other violent felonies that carry long prison terms. These cases often rely on shaky witnesses, so we dig into every detail. We fight to protect your freedom and your name.

Drug Crimes

We handle felony drug charges, including possession for sale, transportation, and trafficking. These cases often involve searches that break the rules, and we challenge that evidence hard. Our goal is to reduce or dismiss the charge.

White Collar Crimes

We defend clients facing fraud, embezzlement, and other financial felonies that can bring prison and huge fines. These cases turn on complex records, and we work to expose weak proof. We protect your reputation and your career.

Sex Crimes

We represent people accused of serious sex offenses, charges that carry heavy penalties and lasting stigma. We treat these cases with care, discretion, and a fierce commitment to your rights. Every piece of evidence gets challenged.

Weapons Offenses

We defend felony weapons charges, including illegal possession and use of a firearm during a crime. These charges often add serious time to a case, so a strong defense is vital. We fight each allegation directly.

What Are the Most Common Felony Charges in Los Angeles?

Some felony charges show up again and again in Los Angeles courts, and knowing what you face helps you act fast. 

The most common charges include the following:

  • Felony DUI: A DUI becomes a felony when it involves injury, death, or several prior offenses.
  • Domestic Violence Felonies: Serious injury or prior convictions can turn a domestic violence case into a felony.
  • Assault With a Deadly Weapon: Using a weapon or force likely to cause great harm during an assault raises the charge to a felony.
  • Drug Trafficking and Distribution: Selling, transporting, or moving large amounts of drugs is charged as a serious felony.
  • Robbery and Burglary: Taking property by force or entering a place to commit a crime can bring felony charges.

What Penalties Can a Felony Conviction Carry in California?

A felony conviction in California can bring life-changing penalties that reach far beyond a courtroom, and the exact punishment depends on the crime and your record. Here are the main consequences you may face.

County Jail and State Prison Sentences

Many felonies carry time in state prison, while some are served in county jail under realignment rules. Sentences can range from months to many years. The length depends on the offense and your history.

Felony Probation

Some people receive felony probation instead of prison, which allows supervision in the community. Probation comes with strict rules, and breaking them can send you to prison. A lawyer can push for this option when it fits.

Fines and Restitution

Courts can order large fines and restitution payments to victims. These costs add up quickly and create real financial strain. We work to limit these penalties where possible.

Sentence Enhancements

Certain facts, such as using a weapon or causing great harm, can add extra years to a sentence. These enhancements make an already serious case worse. Fighting them is a key part of our defense.

Three Strikes Consequences

Under California's Three Strikes law, prior serious or violent felonies can double a sentence or lead to a much longer term. One strike raises the stakes on every future case. We work hard to fight or remove strikes.

How Does the California Felony Process Work?

The felony process moves through several stages, and knowing each one helps you make smart choices early. 

A typical case follows these steps:

  1. Arrest and Booking: Police take you into custody, record your information, and hold you while the case begins.
  2. Arraignment: You appear in court, hear the charges, and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
  3. Bail and Release Conditions: The court decides whether you can be released and under what terms.
  4. Preliminary Hearings: A judge reviews the evidence to decide if the case should move toward trial.
  5. Trial and Sentencing: A jury weighs the evidence, and the judge sets the penalty if there is a conviction.
Protect your future with a skilled California criminal defense lawyer.

What Evidence Do Prosecutors Use in Felony Cases?

Prosecutors build felony cases on several kinds of evidence, and each type can be challenged. Common sources include the following:

  • Witness Statements: Accounts from people who claim to have seen or heard something.
  • Surveillance and Digital Evidence: Video footage, phone data, and messages tied to the case.
  • Forensic Evidence: Lab results such as DNA, fingerprints, or drug testing.
  • Police Reports: Written accounts from officers about the arrest and investigation.
  • Expert Testimony: Specialists who explain technical facts to the jury.

What Defenses Are Available Against Felony Charges?

A strong defense can change the outcome of a felony case, and several proven strategies may apply to yours. 

Common defenses include the following:

  • Constitutional Violations: Police violated your rights during the stop, arrest, or questioning.
  • Lack of Evidence: The prosecution cannot prove every part of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • Mistaken Identity: You were wrongly named as the person who committed the crime.
  • Self-Defense: You acted to protect yourself or others from harm.
  • Illegal Search and Seizure: Officers gathered evidence without a valid warrant or legal reason.

Can a Felony Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor?

Yes, many felonies in California are wobblers, and a wobbler can be reduced to a misdemeanor under California Penal Code § 17(b). A judge may grant this reduction at sentencing or after you finish probation. Our attorneys fight for this outcome to protect your record and your future.

Can a Felony Conviction Be Expunged?

Yes, many felony convictions can be dismissed under California Penal Code § 1203.4 once you complete probation. Expungement can remove many of the burdens a conviction places on your job search and daily life. We help clients pursue this relief when they qualify.

What Happens if You Violate Felony Probation?

If you violate felony probation, the court can hold a hearing and impose new penalties, including prison time. The judge may add conditions, extend supervision, or revoke probation completely. A lawyer can defend you at the hearing and fight to keep you out of custody.

How Do California Laws Affect Felony Cases?

California law shapes every felony case through rules on classification, sentencing, probation, and enhancements. Understanding these rules is central to any strong defense.

California's Definition of a Felony

California Penal Code § 17 defines a felony as a crime punishable by death or by imprisonment in state prison. This definition sets the line between felonies and lesser crimes.

Wobbler Offenses

Wobblers can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors, which gives prosecutors and judges real discretion. This flexibility creates a chance to argue for the lighter option.

Sentence Enhancements

State law allows extra prison time for weapons, prior convictions, and serious harm. These enhancement statutes can greatly increase a sentence, so we challenge them closely.

The Three Strikes Law

The Three Strikes law increases penalties for people with prior serious or violent felonies. A single strike can double exposure, so fighting strikes is a major priority.

How Can a Los Angeles Felony Lawyer Help?

A skilled felony lawyer does far more than show up in court, and the right advocate can change the entire path of your case. 

Here is how our attorneys fight for you:

Conducting an Independent Investigation

We gather our own evidence and interview witnesses instead of trusting the police version. This often uncovers facts that help your defense.

Challenging the Prosecution's Evidence

We test every piece of proof for weakness, error, or illegal collection. Strong challenges can shrink or sink the case.

Negotiating Reduced Charges

We work with prosecutors to lower charges or penalties when that serves your goals. A good deal can protect your record.

Building a Strong Trial Strategy

We prepare every case as if it will reach a jury. That readiness gives you real power at the table.

Protecting Your Rights at Every Stage

We guard your rights from arrest through sentencing. You never face the system alone.

Facing FELONY charges?

My Rights Law is ready to defend you

Contact Our Los Angeles Felony Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you are facing felony charges, do not wait to get help because every day matters. The My Rights Law team fights for people across Los Angeles who need a strong, caring, and aggressive defense. Our Los Angeles felony lawyer will review your case, explain your options, and stand with you from start to finish. 

Call My Rights Law today at (213) 497-4979 for your free case evaluation.

This page was written by the My Rights Law Editorial Team and reviewed for legal accuracy by Bobby Shamuilian.

Attorney Shamuilian is the founder and managing partner of My Rights Law and is widely recognized as a legal authority, frequently appearing as a legal analyst and TV pundit on national news outlets.

He has earned a perfect “10.0 – Top Attorney” rating on AVVO and a “10.0” rating on Justia, and has been named among the “Top 40 Under 40” and the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by The National Trial Lawyers.

With his proven expertise and dedication, Mr. Shamuilian is committed to protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

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