Los Angeles Carjacking Lawyer

Carjacking Is a Serious Charge

Carjacking involves using force or fear to take a vehicle from someone's possession. The penalties for carjacking are incredibly severe and can include a significant prison sentence. If an individual is in the car at the time and is kidnapped during the carjacking, the penalty in California is life in prison. Carjacking is a crime which receives a lot of media attention and thus creates a heavy pressure on law enforcement agencies. Arrest and prosecution are aggressively pursued and if charged, your life can be forever altered. If faced with this felony charge, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney may be able to help protect you from conviction. This is especially important in this state, where the "three strikes law" applies.

Defending Carjacking Cases in Los Angeles

At Martinian & Associates, we are very familiar with carjacking cases. We will review your specific case in detail to identify points that may be used in your defense. An example of what may be looked into is whether the definition of carjacking can actually be applied in your case. A defendant must have had the intent to take the vehicle before or during the use of force or fear. If that intent was not formed until after force or fear was applied, a carjacking charge is not valid.

Additionally, the victim must have experienced fear relating to the harm of property or bodily harm of themselves, their family or those present with them during the occurrence. This is another factor that can be reviewed as to its specific validity. Our preparation of your defense is thorough and strategic. Your case may even be closed before going to court. Where it is not, our courtroom skills will be used to fight for you as we pursue the best possible outcome for your case.

Contact a Los Angeles carjacking defense lawyer to have someone fighting for you if you are facing carjacking charges.